Dr. Rudy Kurniawan Sp.D MM MARS, a specialist in internal medicine from the University of Indonesia, recommends that people with diabetes should carry a self-monitoring blood sugar device to prevent sudden changes in symptoms.
“Sometimes, when there is a change in symptoms, people with diabetes can check their blood sugar levels in the midst of their activities, for example, if they feel dizzy or palpitations, to ensure whether their blood sugar levels are safe or not, it is safe to check their blood sugar levels,” Rudy said during a discussion about diabetes in Jakarta on Saturday.
For people with diabetes who inject insulin, blood sugar checks can be done more frequently, about two to three times a week. This is to determine the insulin injection dose that will enter the body.
For people with diabetes who take medication, the frequency of self-monitoring blood sugar can be reduced to once a week, depending on their needs.
“Dizziness or palpitations can occur unexpectedly, and whether it is related to blood sugar or not should be confirmed by checking blood sugar levels for safety,” said the founder of the Sobat Diabetes Community.
These symptoms can also occur when people with diabetes are fasting if their blood sugar levels are too low, known as hypoglycemia.
People with diabetes who experience signs of hypoglycemia, such as dizziness and palpitations, may also experience blurred vision. If these signs appear, people with diabetes are advised to cancel their fasting medically.
Various complications can also occur if blood sugar levels are too high, known as hyperglycemia.
Complications can be acute, occurring rapidly with an increase in blood acidity, presenting risks such as decreased consciousness, shortness of breath, and requiring intensive care.
Meanwhile, chronic complications occur gradually over time, such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetic foot, eye disorders, liver problems, skin diseases, and others.
Writer: Fitra Ashari
Editor: Maria Rosari Dwi Putri
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