Treating diabetes takes more than just checking your blood sugars regularly

Diabetes is one of the most common disorders in North America.  Particularly, there is an alarming increase in the incidence of Type II diabetes.

In my practice, I commonly have patients who obsess lab results – namely their blood glucose levels or their HbA1c levels.  So, they faithfully take their prescription medications such as metformin and glyburide until their lab values fall within the normal ranges.  And when they do, they feel relief.

The question is, are high blood sugars even the main problem in diabetes?  Does taking medication to lower blood sugars solve the health issues related to diabetes?  Most people forget that cardiovascular disease is the most common serious consequence of diabetes and medications that lower blood sugars do not reduce the incidence of these problems.

In the end, for most patients, it is almost pointless to measure blood sugars.  Healthy diet and exercise that protects patients against developing heart disease is much more effective.

Treating diabetes takes more than just checking your blood sugar levels