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High Blood Sugar level despite taking Regular Medication
There are various reasons why you have high blood sugar level, that may remain elevated despite therapy. Among the probable factors are:
Inadequate Medication Dosage: Your present dosage may not be suitable for controlling your high blood sugar levels, and a dosage or medication change may be required.
Diet and Lifestyle Factors: If dietary habits and lifestyle choices are not supportive, medications alone may not be enough to regulate blood sugar. Blood sugar levels can be affected by eating high-sugar or high-carbohydrate foods, being inactive, or being under a lot of stress.
Insulin Resistance: Some people may develop insulin resistance, which occurs when the body’s cells do not respond adequately to insulin. This can make it more difficult for medications to successfully control high blood sugar levels.
Certain medical problems or illnesses can impair the efficacy of diabetes treatments. For example, if you have an infection or another illness, your blood sugar levels may rise. Some drugs can interact with diabetic treatments, reducing their ability to control high blood sugar levels.
Hormonal Changes: Hormonal variations caused by conditions such as menopause or thyroid problems may alter blood sugar management and medication effectiveness.
Non-compliance with Medication Schedule: Ineffective blood sugar management might result from irregular or inappropriate medication use.
Why are some foods interacting with my diabetes?
Certain foods can interact with diabetic drugs, altering their effectiveness or changing high blood sugar levels. Here are some examples of food and drug interactions:
Grapefruit: Grapefruit includes chemicals that can disrupt the metabolism of certain pharmaceuticals, particularly diabetic treatments. It can impede digestive enzymes, influencing how drugs are absorbed and utilized in the body.
Alcohol: Depending on the type of medication you’re taking, drinking alcohol can result in either increased or decreased blood sugar levels. Alcohol can impair the liver’s capacity to regulate blood sugar, particularly if you take drugs that impact insulin or the way the body processes glucose.
High-Fiber Foods: While high-fiber foods are generally helpful, they can interfere with the absorption of some drugs if taken concurrently. For example, if you’re taking medication and eat a high-fiber meal, the medication’s absorption may be delayed. Whole grains have more fiber and minerals than processed white grains.
People with diabetes should consume a high-fiber diet because fiber slows the digestion process. Slower nutrition absorption aids in the maintenance of steady blood sugar levels.
Whole wheat bread and whole grains have a lower glycemic index (GI) than white bread and rice. This means they have less of an impact on high blood sugar levels.
Licorice: This can modify how your body processes some medications, perhaps reducing their efficacy.
Supplements containing cinnamon and chromium: While they are commonly regarded as beneficial for blood sugar control, they may interfere with diabetic drugs, affecting blood sugar levels.
Meal Schedule: While not a direct interaction with a specific food, the timing of your meals may have an impact on how effective Ozempic is at managing blood sugar levels. It is critical to take Ozempic at the same time each day in relation to meals, as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
Certain Caffeinated Beverages: According to certain research, excessive consumption of caffeinated beverages may impair metformin absorption. More research in this area, however, is required.
Increased Dehydration Risk – Fluid Intake: It is critical to stay hydrated when using SGLT2 inhibitors. It is essential to drink enough water; however, excessive fluid consumption without the correct electrolyte balance might result in dilutional hyponatremia.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Risk
While cranberry juice is commonly recommended to prevent UTIs, there is no specific evidence that it interacts with SGLT2 inhibitors. However, it is prudent to exercise caution because cranberry juice may increase the acidity of urine, thus impairing the efficiency of some drugs.
Know Your Medicine before taking it – Understand the Purpose
Remember that you should never be afraid to seek clarification or ask questions about your drugs. The better knowledgeable you are, the better equipped you will be to manage your health.
Examine the Label: Begin by reading the drug label and any patient information that comes with it. This will provide important information about the drug, such as its purpose, dosage, and any side effects. Medications frequently include a generic name (the active ingredient) as well as a brand name (the name supplied by the pharmaceutical company). To avoid confusion, become acquainted with both.
Recognize the Goal: Determine why you are taking the drug. Is it for pain alleviation, blood pressure control, diabetic management, or infection treatment? If you have any questions concerning the drug, don’t be afraid to approach your healthcare professional or pharmacist. This could include the expected results, the length of time it will take to function, and any potential negative effects.
Understand the Dosage and Timing: Be mindful of the medication’s recommended dosage and frequency of administration. Pay close attention to the directions. Determine whether there are any specific foods, drinks, or drugs that you should avoid while taking the medication. Some medications can interact with one another or with specific meals.
Storage Instructions: Understand how to properly keep your medication. Some pharmaceuticals must be refrigerated, while others must be stored in a cold, dry environment. Some medications should be kept out of direct sunshine and UV light.
Recognize Potential Side Effects: Be aware of potential side effects and keep an eye out for any unexpected symptoms. Contact your healthcare practitioner if you have any unexpected responses.
Consultation with a Healthcare Provider: Schedule follow-up consultations with your healthcare practitioner if your medicine is part of a longer-term treatment plan to assess its effectiveness and resolve any issues.
Maintain a Medication Record: Keep a current list of all your prescriptions, including dosages and frequency. This list might be extremely useful in an emergency or when consulting with several healthcare providers.
If you continuously have high blood sugar levels while taking medication, it’s critical that you see your doctor. They may need to re-evaluate your drug regimen, review your overall health, make any required adjustments, or offer other techniques to better manage your blood sugar levels. Regular monitoring, as well as following your doctor’s instructions on lifestyle modifications and medication, is critical to effectively controlling blood sugar levels.
Always see your healthcare practitioner if you have any specific concerns about food interactions with your diabetic medications. They can advise you on potential food interactions and the best practices for food consumption while taking diabetes medications. This will help you manage your high blood sugar levels correctly and avoid any negative interactions.
Collaboration between individuals diagnosed with diabetes and their healthcare providers is crucial in order to ascertain the most suitable long-acting insulin formulation and dosage that aligns with their unique lifestyle and requirements. Placing blood sugar levels within a predetermined range and reducing the likelihood of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) are the objectives.
