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Is the fasting blood sugar more important and how to avoid diabetic complications?

Q: My glucose level (fasting) varies between 90-140. My doctor says, only the fasting test is important. There is no need of PP test. He has also recommended glycephage 500 mg (one in the morning with breakfast), glimpride 1 mg (one with breakfast and one with dinner). Please advice the function of both medicines. Do these medicines control the sugar level or generate insulin also?

A:A. Control sugar or generate insulin: Glimpride makes the pancreas produce more insulin which controls the sugar level, and thus has a higher chance of causing weight gain and also low sugars if a meal is missed or unexpected exercise occurs. It needs to be taken 30 minutes before a meal to be able to work well. Glyciphage makes the existing insulin work more efficiently, and can be taken before or just after a meal. It does not cause weight gain. For someone your height your weight should be 62-68 kg. B. Fasting, PP and overall sugar levels are all equally important if the complications of diabetes are to be prevented or controlled. In any case diabetes is not a sugar disease but a metabolic problem which affects all parts of the body and needs care at several levels: 1. Get glycosylated haemoglobin tested every 4-5 months: this is what gives an idea of overall diabetes control. 2. Test blood sugars (fasting and post breakfast, and ideally at night) systematically, at least 1-2 a month, and keep track of the values. 3. Maintain your BP as close to normal (120/80) as possible: definitely not more than 126/86 mmHg. 4. Make sure your blood lipid levels are tested at least once a year, and maintained in the normal range. 5. Make sure your retina, kidney function, ECG and peripheral nerves are tested at least once a year. 6. Make sure you are exercising (eg. walking) regularly. Regular exercise is essential for everyone, but more so for diabetics. 7. Make sure your diet is balanced: preferably in the form of a 3-meal-3 snack regimen, with low fat in cooking, low fat milk, plenty of fiber (fruits, salads, whole daals), moderate protein and fat, moderate salt and sugar, plenty of water. A good place to get further information is the ADA site: diabetes.org

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