Dr. Varuna Nargunan, M.D., is with ProCare Endocrinology in Odessa, TX. She is Board Certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism and also Board Certified in Internal Medicine. http://procareodessa.com/varuna-nargunan-m-d/
As Seen in the Odessa American Medical Matters
https://www.oaoa.com/people/health/medical_matters/article_57f4b2ea-1b60-11e9-9dfb-9b33eb132464.html
With every holiday, office meal, family gathering or night out, people with diabetes have a challenge when presented with so many tempting feasts. Following are a few pointers for those with diabetes and those looking to stay healthy throughout the year:
- A donut or bagel has a whole meal’s worth of the daily recommended carbohydrates. (60 to 80gms of carbohydrates)
- Metformin does not affect the kidney. For a person with kidney damage, Metformin is not given as it is not effectively cleared.
- Diet sodas are equally as bad as regular soda. They have a different form of sugar, which breaks down to glucose at the end.
- Blood sugar checking should be done different times of the day rather than only in the morning.
- Low-sugar reaction is a protective mechanism similar to how you sense fire so you move away from a flame. If a person experiences too many low-sugar reactions, their body will no longer alarm in the same way, which might be dangerous.
- Shakes are a meal replacement, not a drink that goes with an entrée.
- Insulin is the final treatment option when non-insulin options are used and blood sugars are still not controlled. But that does not mean death. Insulin levels can be modified to treat the diabetes effectively.
- Tight blood sugar control in the initial years of a diabetes diagnosis can create a lifetime decrease in cardiovascular events.
- Eat a whole fruit rather than drinking fruit juice.
- And as you approach tempting meals or snacks, remember that having diabetes does not mean “no sugar”. It is all about portion control.
