Fact 15: The Importance of Regular Monitoring and Management
Regular monitoring is an essential aspect of diabetes management. By regularly monitoring blood glucose levels, individuals can assess the effectiveness of their treatment plans and make necessary adjustments. Regular monitoring helps prevent hyperglycemia, where blood sugar is too high, and hypoglycemia, where it is too low. Both these conditions can have severe consequences if left unchecked, so regular monitoring is crucial.
In addition to diabetes management, regular monitoring can also have implications for dementia prevention. Chronic high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, can damage various organs, including the brain. Over time, this can contribute to cognitive decline and increase the risk of dementia. Similarly, frequent episodes of severe low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, have been linked to an increased risk of dementia. Regular monitoring can help individuals maintain their blood sugar levels within the recommended range and potentially reduce these risks.
Healthcare providers play a crucial role in diabetes management and dementia prevention. Regular check-ups with healthcare providers can help monitor the progression of diabetes and identify potential complications early on. These visits often involve various tests, including the HbA1c test, which provides an average of blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months.
However, managing diabetes and dementia risks requires more than just blood glucose control. It also involves managing other risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are common in people with diabetes. These conditions can also contribute to cognitive decline and dementia if not properly managed.(15)
