Blood sugar is the amount of glucose in the blood. At any given moment, the human body contains 4 grams of glucose. The blood of an average 70 kg human contains this sugar at all times. It can provide energy, but too much can lead to diabetes. Therefore, it is important to know how to check your blood sugar.
Normal blood sugar levels
Although your blood sugar levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day, it’s still crucial to check them periodically to ensure they’re within normal range. These levels depend on what you eat, when you eat it, and other factors. While it’s not as convenient as checking your weight, your blood glucose levels can help you understand your overall health.
Glucose is the substance your body uses to absorb sugar, and your blood glucose level is the number of carbohydrates in your blood. Glucose levels in the blood are maintained through the hormone insulin. Insulin stimulates beta cells in the pancreas to release more insulin, which helps to regulate your blood sugar levels. It also stimulates the liver to store glucose. Increasing blood sugar levels can be dangerous if you don’t treat them promptly.
Normal blood sugar levels are between 70 mg/dL and 150 mg/dL. Some people may have varying blood sugar levels due to heredity or lifestyle. In such cases, lifestyle modifications may be necessary. These lifestyle changes are easy to keep up with and can help regulate sugar levels for a lifetime.
Taking a blood glucose level test is a good idea if you suspect you have diabetes. Your healthcare provider will ask about any risk factors, take a blood sample, and order an A1C test. The A1C test will show how well you control your blood sugar over three months. After calculating your A1C, your healthcare provider can develop a treatment plan to help you stay healthy.
While monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly is important, you should also seek emergency medical care if they become out of control. Fortunately, emergency rooms can treat high blood sugar levels and administer insulin therapy and fluid replacement if needed. A healthcare provider can also prescribe medicines to help lower blood sugar levels.
Normal blood sugar levels should be between 80 and 180 mg/dL. However, this will vary depending on age. Kids should limit snacks before bedtime during early childhood to prevent high blood sugar levels. However, if they snack before bed, they should consume something with protein and fat.
Symptoms
The symptoms of high blood sugar are often subtle and difficult to notice, but they can have a major impact on your health if left untreated. When the blood sugar level is too high, it damages the nerves, blood vessels, and organs in your body. When it remains high for an extended period, it can result in various problems, including sores that take a long time to heal.
High blood sugar also causes a large amount of fluid loss. It can also lead to diabetic coma. High blood sugar can also weaken the immune system, making infections more severe and frequent. For example, diabetes patients are more susceptible to yeast infections than non-diabetics. The excess sugar produced by high blood sugar feeds the bacteria that cause yeast infections. Those with diabetes are also at risk for developing urinary tract infections.
High blood sugar can also lead to fatigue. If you are already suffering from the symptoms of high blood sugar, you should consult your primary care provider. They can perform a finger-stick test to check your blood glucose level. This can help determine whether you have type 1 diabetes or prediabetes.
Too much glucose in your blood can also affect nerve function. This can result in nerve damage. The most common symptoms of this condition are numbness and burning in the extremities. Fortunately, you can prevent these symptoms by controlling your blood sugar levels. The best way to prevent further damage is to keep your blood sugar levels at an average of four mmol/L.
High blood sugar also causes excessive urination. This happens because glucose accumulates in the blood, and the kidneys try to eliminate the extra glucose. Excess sugar is flushed out of the body through urine, which is why many people with this problem become dehydrated and dizzy.
When blood sugar levels rise to more than 140 mg/dl in two hours, it’s called postprandial hyperglycemia. People with normal blood sugar levels rarely reach that level. People with high blood sugar levels may also experience confusion, fatigue, or unconsciousness. If symptoms last for an extended time, they should seek medical attention.
Treatment
If your child has low blood sugar, you should immediately take steps to restore it to a healthy level. Blood sugar levels in children under five should be between 70 and 80 mg/dL. The target may vary for children younger than this because they can’t tell you how they’re feeling. Similarly, the targets for infants and toddlers are different. It’s best to discuss your child’s blood sugar with your healthcare team and begin treatment as soon as possible.
High blood sugar levels can be dangerous. A person with diabetes may experience seizures, which is frightening for the sufferer but can also have long-term consequences. People with diabetes should take their medications and eat a well-balanced diet to prevent seizures. They can also try to exercise to help control their blood sugar levels.
Low blood sugar levels can also cause seizures and damage the brain. In a severe case, the person with diabetes can become unconscious, which is called hypoglycemic shock. This type of shock is a result of the lack of insulin. It’s best to take the medication prescribed by your healthcare provider as soon as you notice any symptoms.
A new study examines the efficacy of blood sugar treatment in people with type 2 diabetes. The ACCORD trial involves 77 clinics across the US and Canada. It includes adults aged 40 to 82 years at the time of enrollment. Participants in this study have two or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including diabetes. While there’s no conclusive evidence yet, prior studies have suggested that lowering blood sugar to non-diabetic levels might reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. Hence, it was necessary to conduct a randomized clinical trial to confirm this hypothesis.
Precautions
Precautions for blood sugar levels can help you avoid serious problems. For example, taking the proper medication and exercising moderately if you have diabetes is important. The dangers of insulin resistance and other medications should not be ignored, and the right fluid intake is essential for managing diabetes.
A blood glucose monitor is one of the first steps in controlling blood sugar levels. Ensure that the reading is between eight and zero milligrams per deciliter. A blood glucose level between this and a normal one is usually considered normal. A blood sugar level below this range can lead to complications like blurred vision.
