Carbohydrate Counting Basics
Pattern Management
Transcript (page 1 of 2)
In order to successfully carbohydrate count and manage your diabetes, you need
to know that your meal plan is working together with the other parts of your
management plan, including exercise and medications, to control your blood glucose.
To see how well you are doing, you will need to begin pattern management. Pattern
management means you will review your blood glucose results and make adjustments
to your management plan in order to keep your blood glucose in your target range.
To begin, keep careful and complete records of your blood glucose results and the
carbohydrates you eat.
“Sometimes we can’t remember what we did two days ago or what our blood
sugar was yesterday morning, but yet if they’re written in a log book you can start
to see the patterns.”
When you review these records, you will begin to see patterns in the way the different
parts of your diabetes management plan, including exercise and medications, affect
your blood glucose level.
“Recording your blood sugars in a log, things start jumping out.”
You can then use this information to understand why your blood glucose is out of
your target range at certain times and take steps to correct it.
Start by looking at your food diary and diabetes records. Notice how much
carbohydrate you ate and when; your blood glucose readings, when you checked
and the result; your exercise, time and length of the session; and if you are taking
medications, look at the type, dose and time taken. There may be other information
indicated in your records that can affect your blood glucose level as well, like whether
you are sick with the flu or stressed-out from work.
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Do you notice any blood glucose readings that are out of your target range? And do
you notice any patterns to those readings? Are there certain times of the day you go
low or high?
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“On days that I work my glucose tends to run lower because I am more active.”
“I’ve had a consistent high blood sugar; it was in the morning time. Comehealthclips
to find
out it was bagels. Bagels have a lot of carbs in them. I didn’t realize that I wasn’t
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taking enough medicine for the carbohydrate.”
(cont. next page)
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This handout is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice,
diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about your health.
hc_db_10130_01_en_t00002.pdf
© Milner-Fenwick, Inc. 2012
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Carbohydrate Counting Basics
Pattern Management
Transcript (page 2 of 2)
Once you identify a pattern, you can make adjustments to the amount of carbohydrate
you eat, your exercise session, or your medication to get your blood glucose back into
your target range. Remember, keeping your blood glucose in a healthy range with
pattern management will help you avoid the long-term health problems high blood
glucose over time can cause.
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This handout is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice,
diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about your health.
hc_db_10130_01_en_t00002.pdf
© Milner-Fenwick, Inc. 2012
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