Blood sugar levels vary naturally.

They rise after a meal and go down as the body uses up the sugar provided by food eaten.

Your blood sugar could be high or low even if you have done everything right, so try not to be too hard on yourself.  That said there are still certain things to pay attention to that may alter your blood sugar levels.  Here are some you may or may not be familiar with. 

• Inaccurately counting the amount of carbs you will be eating. 
• Not giving enough insulin given for carbs eaten.
• Eating a very fat filled meal such as pizza.  This will cause a steady rise in blood sugar over many hours.
• Timing of taking your medication. Insulin is best taken just prior to a meal or even up to 20 minutes before a meal.  Pills used to treat Type 2 have differing but imperative times to take for optimal effect on blood sugar.
• Light to moderate exercise can greatly lower blood sugar levels. However, extreme exercise such as high intensity intervals or weight lifting can sometimes raise blood sugar levels due to the stress response of the body.
• Not rotating insulin injection sites properly.  Giving insulin in the same area over time causes scar tissue buildup and can affect the way insulin is absorbed.
• Lack of sleep, stress or illness release more stress hormones making your body less sensitive to insulin which then causes blood sugars to be higher.
• Improper storage of insulin.  “Bad” insulin will typically still work but not as well.
• Insulin pump issues.

While blood sugar levels do naturally vary, knowing what causes some of these swings can help it from becoming extreme and help you feel better all the time!

Adapted from Diabetes Basics for Kids*Teens*Parents*Families. (2009).  Pediatric Education Services. Primary Children’s Hospital.

Adapted from website  http://diatribe.org/issues/68/adams-corner.