An individual’s fasting blood sugar level should typically be less than 99 mg/dL. Diabetes and heart disease risk may be decreased by maintaining blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
A sugar that gives the body energy is blood glucose. When blood glucose levels are monitored, the quantity of sugar the blood carries at any one time is calculated.
People may consume this sugar via their diet. However, the body also creates glucose and breaks down glucose that has been stored.
Blood glucose levels are moderately controlled by the body so that there is just enough for the cells’ energy needs but not too much to overwhelm the bloodstream.
To sustain essential body activities, the blood’s internal environment must be steady.
Throughout the day, blood glucose levels might fluctuate. After eating, levels increase for roughly an hour before settling. Before the first meal of the day, they are at their lowest.
This article examines the optimum goal blood glucose levels, gives a general review of glucose, and explains how to maintain blood sugar readings within the recommended range.
What does a normal blood sugar level mean?
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, a normal fasting blood sugar level is less than 99 mg/dL.
These levels will fluctuate more in people with diabetes. The goal of regulating blood sugar is to maintain the levels within a healthy range rather than aiming for a particular number.
If a person has diabetes, the American Diabetes Association advises goal values of 80 to 130 mg/dL before eating. Blood glucose levels should be fewer than 180 mg/dL within two hours following a meal.
High amounts of blood sugar
Persistently elevated blood sugar levels characterize a disorder termed hyperglycemia.
Hyperglycemia is a common symptom of Cushing’s syndrome, poorly managed diabetes, and a few other conditions. While using this drug, individuals who are taking oral steroids may also develop hyperglycemia.
Hyperglycemia often sets in when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or when the cells lose their sensitivity to insulin.
Because glucose cannot enter cells without insulin, it accumulates in the circulation.
Hyperglycemia’s typical signs and symptoms might include:
- an empty mouth
- excessive urination
- heightened thirst
A person may also go through:
- fatigue
- lightheadedness
- fuzzy vision
- headache
- nausea
- weakness
Chronic hyperglycemia may also result in insulin resistance, lowering insulin sensitivity and the quantity of glucose cells can take up. Type 2 diabetes might potentially result from this.
Uncontrolled diabetes’s long-term problems include an impact on the tiny blood arteries that feed the kidneys, retina, and other organs.
The following are some severe issues that might arise from ongoing hyperglycemia:
- seeing less
- renal failure brought on by kidney disease
- erection problems
- foot sores
- persistent nerve injury that results in tingling and numbness
- sluggish wound healing
- higher chance of having a heart attack or stroke
Excessively high or low blood sugar levels have also been connected in research to cognitive deterioration.
Researchers found that persons with diabetes and cognitive problems may also have decreased blood flow to the brain and a variety of other alterations that might influence how they think. This was shown using neuron imaging.
Low amounts of blood sugar
Hypoglycemia begins to set in when blood sugar levels drop below the typical range. Diabetes patients are more likely to have both hyper- and hypoglycemia.
Early indications of hypoglycemia might include the following:
- prickly lips
- hands and other parts of the body trembling
- white face
- sweating
- heart palpitations or a faster heartbeat
- anxiety
- feeling unsteady or lightheaded
Glucose must be available constantly for the human brain. The following outcomes may result from very low glucose:
- uncertainty and fuzziness
- having trouble focusing
- a paranoid or hostile mindset
Less often, the individual may pass out or have seizures. The effects of severe hypoglycemia may be lethal in people with diabetes.
Among the causes of hypoglycemia are:
- diabetes
- certain drugs, such as quinine for the treatment of malaria
- taking excessive insulin
- alcohol consumption without food may prevent the liver from releasing glycogen.
- various diseases, most notably severe hepatitis and renal problems
- anorexia
It is more difficult to break down and eliminate drugs from the body if the liver and kidneys are not functioning correctly.
Hypoglycemia may result from excessive insulin production or augmentation. Due to the insulin-like substances that certain tumors release, low blood sugar might result. It’s also possible for a cancer to use up all the available glucose, leaving none for the rest of the body.
In addition to hypoglycemia, patients with gastric bypass surgery can consume less food than before the procedure.
An excessive amount of insulin is often produced due to nesidioblastosis, an uncommon disorder characterized by the growth of beta cells. The pancreas uses beta cells to make insulin.
Describe glucose
The blood carries glucose, a sugar that is the body’s primary energy source.
Another byproduct of the breakdown of carbohydrates is glucose. It is a simple sugar that the body’s cells may readily break down into energy. The main types of dietary carbs include sugars like glucose and complex carbohydrates.
Fructose, lactose, and maltose are other sugars besides sucrose (table sugar). Starches and other forms of dietary fiber are examples of complex carbs.
After a person eats and digests food, the sugar immediately leaves the digestive tract and enters circulation.
But glucose reaches cells only when enough insulin is also present in the circulation. A protein called insulin gets cells ready to take in glucose. Without enough insulin or if they become too resistant to its effects, the cells would starve.
People’s blood sugar levels rise after eating. The pancreas automatically produces insulin to transfer glucose from the blood to the cells.
Blood sugar levels normalize when more and more cells absorb glucose.
Excess glucose is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles. To achieve homeostasis or equilibrium within the body, glycogen is crucial. In times of famine, it aids the body’s functionality.
A person’s blood glucose levels will decrease if they go for a brief time without eating. Glucagon is another hormone that the pancreas secretes. The breakdown of glycogen into glucose is sparked by glucagon, which raises blood sugar levels to normal.
Preserving optimal blood glucose levels
Blood glucose levels must remain constant for those with diabetes. However individuals without the disease should likewise avoid raising their chance of getting it.
Indicator of blood sugar
People may pick meals that will manage their blood sugar levels by using the glycemic index (GI).
The index assigns each food a value. Foods with a high glycemic index, such as candies and sugary desserts, may cause blood glucose levels to jump substantially.
Low scores are given to those who will reduce swings by a gradual release of energy.
Foods with a high glycemic index include soft drinks, white bread, potatoes, and white rice as compared to glucose, with a score of 100 on the index. Foods with a lower glycemic index include whole-grain oats and several fruits and vegetables.
Based on GI, the glycemic load (GL) is calculated. It shows how a food dish would affect energy levels overall.
What is monitoring blood glucose?
People frequently check their blood glucose levels with blood glucose monitoring.
It is crucial for the efficient management of diabetes. Numerous people with diabetes must check several times daily to schedule medicine or insulin doses, organize activities, and arrange meals.
A glucometer may be used to check a person’s blood sugar levels. They often come with test strips, a notebook to record results, lancets, or tiny needles.
Using a glucose meter
The usage of glucometers is simple. Someone will:
- Place the glucose meter, a test strip, a lancing tool, and an alcohol prep pad on the work surface.
- With warm, soapy water, wash your hands.
- When the gadget is ready, switch it on and insert a test strip.
- Wipe the intended injection site with an alcohol prep pad, then wait for the alcohol to evaporate.
- Use the lancet to puncture their finger, then gently squeeze it until a little drop of blood appears.
- Put the bloodstain on the strip.
- Await the glucose meter’s processing of the information.
- Read the result on the glucose meter’s display.
- Adhere to their doctor’s recommendations following the reading on the screen.
- Jot down each glucose measurement to assist their doctor in creating the ideal treatment schedule. (Data may be stored automatically on more contemporary devices.)
Blood sugar levels often need to be checked at least once daily for those with type 2 diabetes.
All persons with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 who need to take insulin must do numerous blood tests daily.
For people with diabetes, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) may serve as an alternative to traditional glucose monitoring.
Good diabetes management may be attained with an accurate blood glucose measurement.
Guidelines for controlling blood glucose
A person may often take several actions to assist in regulating blood sugar.
A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, keeping weight healthy, and engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-intense activity each week may all be beneficial.
Additional recommendations for managing blood sugar include:
- Not missing meals and eating at regular intervals.
- Increasing water intake
- Balancing quantities during meals such that a typical plate has one-half of non-starchy veggies, one-fourth of meat, and one-fourth of starchy foods
Whether or not they have a diabetes diagnosis, everyone with low or high blood sugar symptoms should contact a doctor.
Takeaway
Lower than 99 mg/dL blood glucose levels are what people should strive for. Diabetes and other dangerous problems might result from irregular or very high blood sugar levels.
The best approach to ensure blood sugar levels remain within a safe range is monitoring them at home.
The more severe consequences of diabetes may result from both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Thus, consuming low-GI meals and exercising regularly may help maintain normal blood glucose levels.