High A1C numbers mean there are more chances for the damage to heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. That may end up in heart attack, stroke, kidney dialysis, blindness, or amputation.
What should be your A1C number?
Most people with diabetes should aim to have an A1C of below 7. Lower A1C is better if you can be able to achieve it without risk of hypoglycemia. If you cannot be able to identify when you have low blood sugars, then you should aim for higher-end A1C number. Discuss with your health profession to help you set a right A1C goal for you.
Right A1C number for you is with respect to
- age
- ability to identify hypoglycemia
- ability to stick with your meal plans
- ability to follow a routine daily activity
If your A1C is high, how do you lower A1C?
If you have high A1C, then it means you are in poor control. Moreover, you need to change the follow:
- change your medicines/insulin or it dosage or timing or frequency. Consult your doctor before making any change, he/she is the right person to help/assist you for perfect drug.
- change your diet/food or change the combination, timing, or frequency. Consult your dietician before making any change, he/she is the right person to help/assist you for the best diet plan.
- increase your physical activity and/or lose weight. Increased physical activity helps to lower blood-glucose level as well as supports to lower the drug dosage.
- depression, anxiety, stress, anger, illness can make your blood-sugar level hype. So keep yourself-cool by involving yourself in music, dancing, aerobics, yoga, meditation, etc.
How does proper Medicine help you reduce Your A1C?
Every individual is distinct, so one medicine works best for your friend, but it may be failed for you. Therefore, the diabetes treatment should be individualizing based on one’s physical, mental and their social environment.
Discuss with your health-care professional to achieve best A1C number, some of the tips that you can discuss with your doctors:
- if you type 1 diabetes, then you need insulin shots. What is the correct insulin type or type mix, dosage, timing, duration, etc.?
- each type of insulin works differently (its peak & duration), so mostly you need a combination of insulin types. Discuss with your doctor for effective insulin type or its combination.
- if you type 2 diabetes, then you need one medication or a combination of medicines based on your body nature. Some type 2 diabetes even needs insulin shots for proper blood sugar control and A1C.
- each medicine works differently, for example, one causes the body to make more insulin; another makes the liver stop releasing sugar; another makes the body to utilize the insulin properly.
Each type of medicine/insulin works its own way; you may need to find the best one or combination of medicine/insulin to control your diabetes effectively.
How does Diet Planning Helps You Lower Your A1C?
A diet plan is a guide about your food’s choice, its carbohydrate count, and its glycemic index that affects your blood sugars.
Following a good diet plan can help you eat healthy that stops blood sugar spikes in the blood.
- plan how much calories of food you need, how you are going to divide it and how many diets per day.
- plan your carbohydrate requirement, count your carb for every meal, and keep it in optimal to prevent blood sugar spikes.
- glycemic index is an important parameter use should keep in mind for effective blood sugar control.
A dietician can help you create a diet plan based on your interest and availability; the food you enjoy and easily fit into your lifestyle.
How does Physical Activity help you reduce Your A1C?
Physical activity works like a natural medicine. It can:
- lower your insulin resistance and helps to move the blood sugar better into the muscles.
- burn more sugars in the blood so the blood-sugar level manages easily.
- make your feel mentally stress free. Stress can negatively affect your blood-sugar level. Stress free mind helps to lower blood sugar spikes.
How does losing weight helps to lower A1C?
Body fat, especially around the middle increases the chances of insulin resistance. On the other hand, losing weight can help reduce insulin resistance and thus blood-sugar level.
Losing weight can help your insulin and diabetes medicines work better. You may need less insulin or medicine if you lose weight.
- if you are overweight, losing even just 5 to 10%, weight will improve your blood sugar control and A1C number.
Your Life is better if your A1C is under 7%, for the present as well as in the future!
