Hyperglycemia

Key takeaways:

• The FDA has issued a warning to users of continuous glucose monitors after reports of missed urgent blood sugar alarms on smartphones.
• Free apps can act as a backup for CGM alerts on your phone.
• A secondary alert system, like a CGM receiver or the SugarPixel standalone display, can ensure critical alerts are noticed.

Key takeaways:

• People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing pneumonia due to impaired immune defenses caused by chronic high blood sugar levels.
• Vaccination against pneumonia and the flu, among others, is crucial to preventing pneumonia in those with diabetes and other chronic illnesses.
• It’s important to closely monitor your blood sugar if you have pneumonia to prevent complications, as potential adjustments to insulin doses may be necessary.

Key takeaways:

• Exercise at a steady pace for short periods can help reduce blood sugar.
• Avoid intense or vigorous exercise with hyperglycemia, as it can make blood sugar spike higher.
• You can make simple modifications to exercises to increase safety and still help lower blood sugar levels.

Key takeaways: 

• All foods raise blood sugar to some degree, but consuming foods that are high in protein and fiber tends to impact blood sugar less than those made with simple or refined carbohydrates and added sugar. 
• Foods that don’t spike blood sugar as much include avocados, eggs, berries, nuts and seeds, dark leafy greens, whole grains, and fish. 
• Strategies such as pairing carb-rich foods with protein or healthy fats can also help reduce spikes in blood sugar.

Diabetes author and advocate Kerri Sparling shares her complicated feelings about living with type 1 diabetes, plus how to detach from negative emotions like guilt and shame around high blood sugar.