High Blood Sugar : Not So Sweet

Some Tips

1Measuring Blood sugar regularly is one simple way to catch diabetes      in its earliest of stages when it has caused least or no long term              damage.

2Both fasting and Postprandial values should be tested- As any one      of them may be deranged in diabetes alone.

3Exact cut-off ranges do exist but clinical correlation is equally              important- Clinician should always be consulted when in doubt.

4Testing should always be done in standard labs to be reliable- Same      lab/device should be followed for monitoring to avoid minor disparities.

5Samples should be evaluated immediately for best results.

6Blood sugar by finger prick using glucometer is fast and easy but is                 less accurate-Anyway good for monitoring.

     Using Glucometer : 

1- Apply spirit swab and allow it to dry completely (1-2 mins).

2- Ready the device, apply strip to it (strips should be protected from moisture-      keep the box closed)

3- Use lancet/pen for even prick every time.

4- Do not squeeze.

5- Apply strip to drop of blood and wait for 6 sec (usually).

6- Record the reading (maintain a diary) and refer your clinician.

Cost = At least Rs 11/ strip.

You can contact us for information and purchasing Glucometer/other devices on discounted rates.

What is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes or GDM implies occurrence of diabetes in expecting mothers. It is a separate entity in itself and is important because it carries additional risk for mother and baby.

1- GDM might culminate in one of the following:

• Resolves completely = continue screening
• Prediabetes on post GDM screening = Lifestyle modifications
• Persist as Diabetes = Treat with drugs

2- In some cases, GDM might represent pre-existing undiagnosed Diabetes. You should get screened for diabetes at first prenatal visit to doctor.


3- Testing for GDM is done at 24-28 wks of pregnancy even if the first screening was negative.


4- Mothers should be screened for persisting diabetes at 6-12 wks after delivery.


5- Mothers with GDM should continue with screening once every 3 years.


6- Women with GDM and prediabetes on further screening should start with lifestyle modifications and yearly screening.







If you have doubts please feel free to ask us or consult your doctor.

You may have diabetes if...

You should suspect and rule out diabetes if you have any of the following:

Normal blood sugar levels :

Fasting Blood Sugar < 126 mg/ dl

Postprandial Blood Sugar < 200 mg/ dl

Values  should  be  correlated  clinically  and  if you have any doubts, Please feel free to ask us or consult your doctor.

Why Diabetes is dangerous?

Diabetes can be dangerous and even fatal but a positive approach can tame this wild tiger. This is what makes it sinister : 

1-Diabetes usually presents with minimal symptoms which are easily  ignored and  this simple mistake allows diabetes to dig deeper and deeper without detection.

2-Diabetes can itself lead to or increase risk of many life threatening conditions, like :

•   Non resolving infections / Sepsis
•   High Blood pressure
•   Heart diseases: Silent Heart attack

3-Long standing disease can cause permanent damage to

• Retina: Decreased vision / Blindness
• Kidney : High blood pressure
• Nerves: Ulcers / Gangrene / Neuropathy.

4-High level of motivation for  adherence to therapy  and  lifestyle modification are required for effective control. Delay and lapses are common.

5-Stigmas, misconceptions and superstitions attached to diabetes are innumerable but only one thing is certain- 

“Nothing can cure diabetes but it can be controlled with discipline and drugs”

6-Regular screening and high level of suspicion can help detect diabetes way before any long term damage is done.

Who should get screened for diabetes?

You should be screened for diabetes, irrespective of the age, if you have any of the following:

• Obesity (BMI > 25)
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Positive Family History
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart Disease / High cholesterol
• Mothers who delivered >3.5kg baby or had Gestational Diabetes
• Everyone who is older than 45 years                                                            - Once every 3 years if screen is normal                                                    -Once every year if High risk on screening

Having a doubt can be dangerous. Please feel free to ask us or consult your doctor.

What is diabetes?

It is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period.

Who can have diabetes?

Diabetes can present at any age in adolescents and adults alike but with different types and features.

	In Adolescents	In Adults
1	Diabetes Mellitus type I	Diabetes Mellitus type II
2	Occurs due to lack of insulin	Occurs due to insensitivity to insulin
3	Responds only to insulin replacement	Can be controlled with oral drugs but unresponsive cases requires insulin replacement

Why does diabetes occur?

Some people have genetic predisposition for diabetes. So, if a family member is affected it becomes more likely. But many modifiable factors increase the risk exponentially.

• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Sedentary Lifestyle

Fighting diabetes is a war and winning each battle makes a lot of difference. Doubts makes you lose direction and should always be cleared. Please feel free to ask us or consult your doctor for timely intervention.

Book for All : "अपना स्वास्थ अपने हाथ"

This book compiled  by the team of Smt. Chandresh Charitable Trust is a small step before the big leap. We have tried to answer all your queries about diabetes and hypertension in one place. It includes all the basic concepts  you need to know to familiarize with diabetes and hypertension. All efforts are made to put in data from our own experience to all the way up to  international guidelines for diagnosis and  management of common ailments. The book is written from a layman’s perspective in a very simple language with conveniently placed illustrations and charts to make things interesting.  The book is written in Hindi with a few English explanations  making it compatible for both most of the people.

Excerpt from the preface : “ यह एक प्रयास है... उन सभी लोगों को सेहत की राह दिखाने का... जो ज़िन्दगी की इस भागम-भाग में कहीं भटक गए हैं. इस पुस्तक में आपको भोजन , डायबिटीज और हाई ब्लड प्रेशर आदि से सम्बंधित आपके हर प्रश्न का उत्तर देने की कोशिश की गयी है. लेखक ने अपने ज्ञान और वैज्ञानिक तथ्यों को सरल भाषा में कुछ इस तरह प्रस्तुत किया है कि कोई भी इन्हें आसानी से समझकर इनपर अमल कर सकता है . सेहत और सामाजिक विषयों पर आधारित अनेक संस्करण हम आपकी सेवा में प्रस्तुत करते रहेंगे. आशा है  कि इनके ज़रिये हम और आप अधिक से अधिक लोगों की मदद कर सकेंगे .”

Get your own copy of the book for free: Just follow/Like us and leave your complete mailing details in your message and we will get back to you*.

                                                                                  *no hidden conditions/terms

Smt. Chandresh Charitable Trust : धूप में ठंडी छाँव...

         We  are  a non-government organisation (NGO) based in Delhi and registered with the competent authority under  the Indian Registration Act to function all over India. This charitable trust was conceived in memory of my beloved mother to carry forward her vision and help as many people as possible.

“We can shed tears that she is gone, 

or we can smile because she has lived. 

We can close our eyes and pray that she'll come back, 

or we can open our eyes and see all she has left. 

We can cry and close our mind, be empty and turn our back. 

Or we can do what she would want: smile, open our eyes, love and go on.”

           The trust was established on 1^st Jan, 2014  and have since been providing care and services to the people living with diabetes and other related ailments but the scope and variety of services is expanding with each passing day. This is just the first step of a marathon ahead of us and a lot of hard work awaits us. We are determined to work for education and employment of youth, women empowerment, free/ affordable health services for all and much more.

            We have organised free diabetes/hypertension screening  and medical check-up camps at regular intervals around our head-office in Delhi . Many have already been enrolled with us for monitoring and management of diabetes and hypertension and the number is still growing. We also offer free consultation from time to time.

We  have also started an annual event where we acknowledge  the academic performances of  local school children with gifts and small scholarships in an attempt to promote education.

Ramji Medical Store : A unit of Smt. Chandresh Charitable Trust

     It is a medical store with a difference. Along with regular services we also offer:

1    1. Free blood glucose (by glucometer)

      and blood pressure (by digital sphygmomanometer)

      monitoring  for patients and for screening alike.

2    2. Drugs at discounted rates for:

    -Diabetic and hypertensive patients

    -Expecting mothers

    -And elderly people.

3    3. Discounts on urinary pregnancy kit and oral contraceptives for women.

All your suggestions, queries and contributions are always welcome. Please join hands for a diabetes free and healthier India.

Contact us here:

https://www.facebook.com/Smt.ChandreshCharitableTrust

https://twitter.com/ChandreshTrust