What Is Blood Sugar and How Can It Be Maintained in a Healthy Range?

 

The main type of sugar found in blood that your body uses as fuel is called blood sugar. Carbohydrates, such as bread and sweets, dissolve in your bloodstream and release glucose, which is then used as fuel. Throughout the day, your blood sugar level naturally varies based on a number of factors, including when you last had food, how active you were, and the drugs you take.

One of the most crucial things you can do if you have diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance is to control your blood sugar levels. Keeping your blood sugar levels in check can help prevent difficulties from these disorders from developing later in life.

You have multiple options for determining your levels. Developing a blood sugar management strategy in collaboration with your healthcare practitioner is also beneficial.

What's Blood Sugar?

The majority of your blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is produced by the carbohydrates you eat. Your body's cells use the glucose that is carried by your blood to produce fast energy.

Your body converts both simple and complex carbohydrates to glucose. Simple carbohydrates digest more quickly in your body. Simple sugars and carbohydrates like table sugar, syrups, white bread, and white rice contain them. Your body takes longer to process complex carbohydrates. Among them are beans, fruits, whole grains, and oats.

 

Many hormones, especially glucagon and insulin, cooperate to maintain a healthy range of blood sugar. The pancreas, an organ in your abdomen that aids in converting food into energy, produces both of them. Insulin functions as a key, opening cell doors that permit glucose to enter and be burned for energy, preventing hyperglycemia, or dangerously high blood sugar. Conversely, the action of glucagon is to prevent hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar.

Blood Sugar Levels: What Do They Mean?

Your pancreas tightly regulates your blood sugar levels if everything else in your body is in order. However, if you have insulin resistance, prediabetes, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or both, your blood sugar may become too high. A straightforward finger prick blood test can be used to determine your blood sugar level at home, in the office of your healthcare practitioner, or at a nearby pharmacy.

What is the typical level of blood sugar?

Your most recent meal will affect your blood sugar level. When measured after an eight-hour meal or following an overnight fast, a typical fasting blood sugar level should range from 70 to 99 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Your blood sugar level following a meal is known as postprandial blood sugar. When it's tested two hours after eating, a typical result is less than 140 mg/dL.

What does having elevated blood sugar mean?

100 mg/dL or more on a fast or 140 mg/dL following a meal is considered hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. Insulin resistance in your body's cells or insufficient insulin production by the pancreas might result in hyperglycemia.

Not all cases of hyperglycemia exhibit symptoms. A period of hyperglycemia in diabetics can result in symptoms like fatigue, thirst, blurred vision, and an uncontrollable urge to urinate. Untreated hyperglycemia for an extended period of time can result in problems such as renal failure, heart disease, and blindness.

What does low blood sugar actually mean?

The reverse of hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia indicates that your blood sugar level has fallen too low. When your blood glucose level drops below 70 mg/dL, you are said to have hypoglycemia; however, symptoms may not appear until level is 55 mg/dL or below.

Hypoglycemia is uncommon unless you have diabetes, in which case it's typically brought on by alcohol consumption, excessive medication use, or inadequate food intake. Hypoglycemia manifests as sweating, trembling, lightheadedness, agitation, and an atypically rapid heartbeat. For a diabetic, low blood sugar is harmful and needs to be treated right away.

How Frequently to Check Your Blood Sugar

You may monitor your blood sugar levels in three different methods. Among them are:

Blood sugar monitor:

This little, portable gadget provides you with a single moment's worth of blood sugar readings. You just need to prick your finger, and the results will appear in a matter of seconds. In order to obtain an accurate reading and for your own safety, wash your hands before taking the test.

Continuous glucose monitor (CGM):

Should you have diabetes, a CGM may be suggested by your physician. Every few minutes, this tiny under-the-skin sensor analyzes your blood sugar and transmits the information to a gadget similar to a cell phone. With a CGM, you can always observe your levels and spot patterns.

  A1 C test:

Your physician can perform this blood test in their office. It provides a more comprehensive picture of your blood sugar health by letting you know what your average blood sugar level has been over the previous three months.

Upkeep and Intervention:

It is still feasible to maintain appropriate blood sugar levels if you have diabetes. The foundation for normal blood glucose levels is a balanced diet and regular exercise.

 

How to Keep Your Blood Sugar Levels Normal

Avoiding triggers for blood sugar spikes or crashes is crucial for maintaining a constant, stable blood sugar level. You can maintain stable blood sugar levels by tracking your blood sugar levels, eating frequently, consuming fewer carbohydrates, and eating adequate protein and fat with your meals. Regular check-up with your healthcare professional are also crucial.

You can create a budget-friendly and achievable meal plan by consulting with a diabetes educator or a nutritionist who specializes in diabetes care. These services are often covered by health insurance policies, but you may check by giving your insurance provider a call, going over your options, and asking them to suggest any dietitians in your region.

Solutions for Elevated Blood Sugar:

Walking and other aerobic exercises are particularly effective in lowering elevated blood sugar levels. It's crucial to avoid eating carbohydrates by themselves if you want to manage your high blood sugar levels over the long run. Consuming fat and protein concurrently with carbohydrates can help prevent a blood sugar spike.

Strategies for Lower Blood Sugar:

When you have diabetes, hypoglycemia can turn into a serious medical situation. Use a blood glucose monitor to check your blood sugar if you experience symptoms of it falling. You can also stabilize your blood sugar by eating or drinking a sweet snack. The 15-15 rule, which calls for consuming 15 grams of carbs and delaying blood sugar testing for 15 minutes, is advised for those with low blood sugar.

Work with your healthcare practitioner to develop suitable lifestyle adjustments to maintain low blood sugar over the long term.

A Brief Recap:

Blood sugar is used by your body to create energy. Everybody's blood sugar varies during the day and night, but too high or low blood sugar can lead to a number of health issues, particularly if you have a disease that impairs your body's ability to digest sugars. However, you can maintain appropriate blood sugar levels by leading a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, consuming fewer carbohydrates, and carefully balancing your carbohydrate intake with protein and fat.

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