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How often do you pre-bolus for meals or snacks?

November 18 - 25, 2020

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How often do you pre-bolus for meals or snacks?
Every time!
36%
Most of the time.
24%
About half of the time.
16%
Less than half of the time.
8%
Rarely.
4%
Never.
0%
I don't know what a pre-bolus is.
12%

Pre-bolusing insulin is when you take insulin at a set timeframe before eating, giving the insulin time to become "active" and combat the blood sugar rise.  

Pre-bolusing takes some practice, and there are variables to contend with that influence outcomes, like a delayed meal, a child who refuses to eat, or a low blood sugar before a meal.  But practice makes perfect, and even with some variables in play, pre-bolusing can help improve overall blood sugar control. According to a study from 2010, “A bolus of rapid-acting insulin 20 min prior to a meal results in significantly better postprandial glucose control than when the meal insulin bolus is given just prior to the meal or 20 min after meal initiation."

If you find that your blood sugar is spiking after your meal, you may need to pre-bolus a little bit earlier. And if you're dropping after meals instead, you may need to pre-bolus a little later. Finding the right balance for your pre-bolus takes some trial-and-error; be sure to connect with your healthcare team to help fine tune your approac

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