If you are one of the millions of people in the United States with type 2 diabetes, you know how important monitoring your blood sugar levels is to your overall health. One of the best ways to make this monitoring your blood sugar easy is by investing in the right test strips. At Affordable Diabetic, we can provide you with a great deal on the test strips you need to manage your diabetes.

Allowing blood sugar levels to remain high for long periods of time can do a lot of damage to your body. This is why you need to identify the mistakes that lead to blood sugar fluctuations. While most diabetics realize that consuming sugar or processed carbohydrates can cause blood sugar fluctuations, there are a number of little-known problems that can also cause these spikes.

The Negative Effects of Dehydration

The human body needs water to stay running efficiently. If you are not consuming the right amount of water, the sugar in your blood will become more concentrated. This means that your blood sugar levels might start to spike. Higher blood sugar levels usually lead to increased urination, which only makes the problems caused by dehydration worse.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you need to remember how important consuming the right amount of water on a daily basis is. People who have a hard time drinking plain water might want to garnish a glass of this essential liquid with citrus wedges, cucumber slices or fresh mint. With these garnishments, you can add more flavor to the water and make it easier to consume.

Restless Nights Can Throw Your Blood Sugar Out of Whack

Being unable to get a full eight hours of sleep at night can wreak havoc on your body. Some people think that restless nights only cause low-energy days, but this is not true. You need to realize that sleep is restorative. This means not getting enough sleep can cause your body to break down over time.

People who are sleep-deprived tend to experience chronic stress. This stress usually leads to higher blood sugar levels. This is why you need to address any sleep problems you are currently experiencing. Doing things like developing a sleep routine and working out can help you get better rest at night. Eating healthier foods and avoiding caffeine up to four hours before bedtime can also be helpful when trying to overcome sleep problems.

Use Artificial Sweeteners in Moderation

Some people with type 2 diabetes think that consuming sodas or juices with artificial sweeteners is a great alternative to sugar-filled beverages. The misconception about artificial sweeteners is that they won’t spike blood sugar levels. This misconception usually leads to a diabetic person consuming tons of sugar-free drinks. The more artificial sweeteners you put into your body, the higher the risk becomes of blood sugar fluctuations. This is why you need to drink these artificial sweeteners in moderation.

As you can see, there are many things that can cause blood sugar fluctuations. By avoiding the mistakes mentioned in this article, you can keep your blood sugar levels normal.