Last Updated on January 8, 2025 by Analgesia team
Blood Sugar Level
Blood sugar levels, also known as blood glucose levels, measure the amount of glucose in your blood. It is an important aspect of overall health, particularly for individuals with diabetes.
What is glucose?
Glucose is a sugar found in food and drink and is a primary source of energy for most of the body’s cells. It’s a simple carbohydrate, chemically classified as a monosaccharide, and is found naturally in many foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, and honey. Excess glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen for later use.
How are blood sugar levels measured?
Blood sugar levels are measured in milligrams of sugar per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
What are normal blood sugar levels?
- Fasting (not eaten for at least 8 hours): 70-99 mg/dL (3.9-5.5 mmol/L)
- After eating (2 hours post-meal): Less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L)
How do blood sugar levels change throughout the day?
Blood sugar levels fluctuate throughout the day, and for people with diabetes, these changes are more frequent and larger. Blood glucose levels change throughout the day due to many factors, including what and when you eat, how much you move, and other health factors. Health factors include injury, surgery, infection, stress, hormonal changes, e.t.c.
How can blood sugar levels be measured over time?
An HbA1c test can measure your average blood sugar levels over about three months.
High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia)
- Causes: Consuming high-carb meals, insufficient insulin, stress, illness, or lack of physical activity.
- Symptoms: Frequent urination, increased thirst, fatigue, blurred vision, and headache.
- Management: Regular monitoring, medication, exercise, and a balanced diet.
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
- Causes: Hypoglycemia is caused by skipping meals, taking too much insulin, or prolonged exercise without adequate fuel.
- Symptoms: Shakiness, sweating, confusion, irritability, and dizziness.
- Management: Consuming fast-acting carbohydrates like juice or glucose tablets, and frequent monitoring.
Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and proper medication management are key in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, especially for those with diabetes.
Importance of Glucose
- Brain Function: Your brain relies heavily on glucose for energy.
- Muscle Activity: Provides energy for muscle function and physical activities.
- Overall Health: Helps maintain normal bodily functions and metabolic processes.
The regulation of blood glucose levels is crucial, especially for individuals with diabetes, as both high and low glucose levels can have significant health impacts.
Complications from low or high blood sugars are so many that efforts should be taken to monitors blood sugar levels.
- Heart disease and stroke: Diabetes can make it harder to control blood pressure and cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Smoking also doubles the risk of heart disease for people with diabetes.
- Kidney disease: Diabetes can damage the kidneys, which may need to be treated with dialysis or a transplant.
- Nerve damage: Diabetes can damage nerves, causing pain, burning, tingling, and loss of feeling.
- Foot problems: Abnormal blood sugar levels can lead to foot problems like sores and infections, which can lead to amputation if left untreated.
- Eye disease: Diabetes can lead to vision loss and blindness.
- Gum disease and dental problems: High blood glucose can increase the risk of gum disease and infections.
- Sexual and bladder problems: Diabetes can cause sexual problems, like problems getting or keeping an erection.
- Weakened immune system: Diabetes can weaken the immune system, making people more likely to have serious complications from infections.
- Depression: People with diabetes often have depression.
- Dementia: Diabetes increases the risk for dementia.
- Bone diseases: Diabetes increases the risk for bone diseases, including osteoporosis.