Take care, remember who's in control?
Why do we need to know what we are doing? Doesn't the doctor take care of that?
These are two very good questions. However, I have a question for you,
Why do we get fat? Isn't it the food services people's responsibility to keep us from eating too much?
It sounds like a silly question doesn't it? Of course it's our responsibility to make sure we don't eat too much! Just like it is also our responsibility to take care of ourselves!
What would happen if all of a sudden your blood sugar went down and you couldn't get up and get yourself a snack?
Wouldn't it have been smart for you to have made a plan ahead of time for these kinds of situations?
That is only a small example of why we should take care of ourselves.
What if you are feeling tired and you want to take a nap?
Don't you think it would be a good idea for you to check your blood sugar before you lay down?
Low blood sugars can disguise themselves by making you tired.
If you fell asleep with a low blood sugar, you might wake up fine, but barely fine. Falling asleep on a low blood sugar would give you more of a risk of dying in your sleep.
I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just trying to stress the importance of taking care of yourself and knowing what to do.
Another way you can take care of yourself is by asking others to help.
Don't be prideful or embarrassed.
This is your life we're talking about!
I can understand that it is hard to accept the fact that you are somewhat different than everyone else and that you need help sometimes, especially because you are a teen, but you must know that people want to help you!
They are there to help you, don't turn them away or say "oh, my blood sugar's not really that bad yet. I can wait a little while."
Let someone know...right away!!!
Don't wait until it's too late!
This is serious people!
I'm not joking!
Anyway, here are some ways you can take care of yourself better:
- >Check your blood sugars:
- Before every meal
- Two hours after every meal (at least once a week)
- Before bedtime
- At 2am or 3am (at least once or twice a month)
- Before and after exercising
- If you feel sleepy, shaky, weak, hot, anxious or hungry (symptoms of low BG)
- If you feel, hot, irritated, or have a headache (symptoms of a high BG)
- Whenever you think your blood sugars are running too high or too low at times it is good to write them down for the last week or so and see if you notice a pattern
- Talk to people about your diabetes (people you can trust) and make sure they know what is going on
- Ask for help when you know you need it
- Make sure your boss at work, schoolteacher, or friends and their parents know what to expect and what they can do and who to reach in times of emergency
- Have an emergency plan all written out and hanging in an obvious place like on the fridge
- Have emergency numbers ready and accessible for someone who might be taking care of you for the time being (i.e. staying at a friend's house, going on vacation with friends etc...)
- Always take with you your testing kit and a snack that consists of juice or something to bring you up quickly and crackers or something that keeps your blood sugar somewhat level, and a phone if you're alone
- Always have a good attitude about your diabetes and you should do just fine!
Why do we need to know what we are doing? Well, because this is life and death! You choose. Take care, and don't forget who's in control!
Who's in control?
Blood sugar chart print-out
Teen diabetes home page
