Take the first step & Lets Fight Diabetes together with Glucose IQ

India is the diabetes capital of the world. And what’s even more shocking is that this number is expected to only grow. A report by NCBI, a branch of the National Institutes of Health, US, states that by 2025, India will be home to as many as 70 million diabetics, and by 2030, this number can hit 80 million. These are certainly startling numbers! So, it is natural to ask, what can you do about it, especially if you already have diabetes?

Many medical experts feel that timely detection and correct management can go a long way in helping people with diabetes lead a comfortable life. It is true that living with diabetes can induce a lot of stress, often aggravating diabetes, and in case you have recently been diagnosed, it can be extremely confusing. Apart from the basic know-how, such as what to eat and what not to, the dilemmas are endless. You’d need to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but it is also important not to exhaust yourself. Festivities & travel come with their own dietary restrictions. These constant choices and questions can be exhausting, especially when you are trying to lead a normal life.

So, what can you do?

The good news is - there is a solution! You can start by knowing your Glucose IQ. Now the question arises, what is Glucose IQ? It is the basic knowledge by which you can examine how well you are equipped with the right information to fight the condition.

Multiple health agencies have been vocal about the importance of regular glucose monitoring if you have diabetes. In managing type 1 or type 2 diabetes, monitoring the sugar levels is the key to leading a normal life. It also forms the basis to know your Glucose IQ. If you know your Glucose IQ, you can find out what is causing every rise and fall in your glucose levels. When effective monitoring of your sugar levels becomes a part of your life, it’ll help you make informed decisions and make lifestyle modifications accordingly.

HbA1cC: The old standard of diabetes
Glucose level tests, especially done on fasting or post-meal, are good indicators to know how your glucose levels are changing. This will indicate how your eating habits are causing alterations if any. Hemoglobin A1C, or HbA1c, is essential to understand the impact of lifestyle interventions on glucose levels over a longer period of time (2-3 months).

While all of these values hold their own importance, it is still insufficient as it doesn’t give a real picture of how various actions/ activities are impacting your glucose levels. The reality is that glucose varies every minute, so even if the HbA1c reports are within limits, they may not give the complete picture in terms of daily glucose variability. You may not always know your daily glucose highs and lows only with HbA1c test.

The bottom line is, if you are armed with the right information, you can work with your doctor & family to plan the best diabetes care for yourself. Over time, good glucose management dramatically helps people with diabetes stay healthy and prevent complications.

To help solve common diabetes dilemmas and educate people about the role of glucose monitoring in diabetes management, The Times of India has launched - Let’s Fight Diabetes in association with Abbott.

If you or a loved one of yours are diagnosed with diabetes or are struggling to live with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you can make healthier lifestyle choices.

When in doubt, ask your Glucose!