When it comes to diabetes, health experts say that blood sugar testing is important so as to help control blood sugar levels, and most importantly, to avoid other health complications.

Etienne Ingabire, Director of Rwanda Diabetes Association, says it is crucial for patients living with diabetes to check their blood pressure regularly, and this can be achieved by self-testing blood sugar (blood glucose).

"This not only helps in managing diabetes but also prevents complications. Tests can be done either at home with a portable electronic device (a blood sugar meter) or simply visiting any health care for your routine check-ups,” he says.

He explains that one’s blood pressure naturally goes up and down all the time and that adjusting to your heart’s needs depending on what you are doing is vital.

To understand this, medics note that high blood pressure is when the blood pressure is persistently higher than normal. A blood pressure reading under 120/80mmHg is considered optimal. On the other hand, readings over 120/80mmHg and up to 139/89mmHg are in the normal to high normal range.

Why it is important

Dr Simon Pierre Niyonsenga, the Diabetes, Renal, Respiratory and Other Metabolic Diseases Programs Director at Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), says blood sugar level is the amount of glucose in the blood.

He explains that glucose is the main sugar found in the bloodstream, and its level can rise and fall for various reasons and throughout the day.

This, he says, normally comes from the food one eats and is the body’s main source of energy.

"Blood sugar testing provides useful information for diabetes management, as it can help one regulate blood sugar. Monitoring blood sugar is the most important part of managing diabetes and while glucose is essential to the body, unmonitored fluctuations can lead to hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia.

"These dangerously high or low levels can lead to severe complications. While these symptoms and complications are scary, they are avoidable, especially if one works closely with a healthcare provider,” Dr Niyonsenga says.

Ingabire says monitoring blood glucose closely allows one to identify what is causing their levels to fluctuate so they can avoid things that are affecting them.

Also, he goes on to add that keeping a close eye on this number also allows one to catch low or high blood sugar early and avoid hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia.

For people with diabetes, Ingabire says blood sugar numbers show how well their diabetes is managed, and managing their diabetes means that they have a lower chance of having serious health problems, such as kidney disease and vision loss.

Meanwhile, to manage blood sugar, experts advise that eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular physical activity can all help.

Eating at regular times, and not skipping meals as well as choosing foods lower in calories can also help manage blood sugar levels.