Having appropriate blood sugar levels is a key point in maintaining overall wellness and decreasing the risks of diabetes. In most cases, a healthy fasting blood sugar level should stay below 99 mg/dl, while individuals with diabetes should maintain a blood sugar level anywhere between 80-130 mg/dL before meals, and under 180 mg/dL two hours after eating.
What is glucose?
Glucose, coming from the Greek word for “sweet”, is a type of energy one’s body obtains from food that is used for energy. Glucose is for the most part found in carbohydrates, and remains in the bloodstream when in use and is kept in your cells for storage. Balance is essential when it comes to glucose, as a less than adequate amount can cause energy dips while an excess can be the reason for future health complications. Making sure that your glucose levels are adequate can be done through consistent monitoring (i.e. a glucometer or CGM machine).
High Blood Glucose Levels
High blood glucose levels, regularly referred to as hyperglycemia or high blood sugar, occurs when fasting levels remain above 125 mg/dL, or exceeds 180 mg/dL after meals. Reasons for high blood sugar can come from a variety of things, common ones being insulin resistance, endocrine disorders, and pancreatic issues. Symptoms of high blood sugar are fatigue, blurred vision, and persistent urination. Hyperglycemia in the long run can result in a variety of health problems, such as nerve damage, vision loss, and kidney disease. Making sure one’s blood sugar levels are appropriate is necessary in order to ward off type 2 diabetes and these other health issues.
Low Blood Glucose Levels.
Hypoglycemia, which is the opposite of hyperglycemia, occurs when one’s blood sugar levels are anywhere below 70 mg/dL. Low blood sugar levels are often seen with individuals with type 1 diabetes, but can also arise from other things like malnutrition, insulin misuse, and certain illnesses. Signs of this condition are trembling, sweating, dizziness, and pale skin, all of which serve as indicators for low blood sugar levels. The regular monitoring of these conditions can ensure proper bodily function and help reduce the chance of seizures and loss of consciousness, which can happen if left untreated.
Managing and Maintaining Balanced Glucose Levels.
In order to keep blood sugar in check, monitoring things like carbohydrate intake can help ensure a steady release of energy for the body. Complex carbs like whole grains, beans, and vegetables are all beneficial while simple carbs like soda and candy should be limited as per not to spike blood sugar quickly. In addition to this, lifestyle choices like regular exercise, proper hydration and educated diet choices can all help alleviate the risk of unstable blood sugar levels.
Blood Glucose Monitoring
There are many ways to monitor one’s blood glucose levels; however, one of the most common ones is using a glucose meter. Using a glucose meter to measure blood sugar levels requires the person to prick their finger with a small needle and then apply a drop of blood to a test strip to gain a reading. Doing this on a regular basis can help make meal planning and devising insulin schedules easier.
The Diabetes ABC’s
The ABC’s of diabetes is an acronym that lists the prime things to monitor in order to reduce the chance of future health problems. The A stands for A1C, a blood test, B stands for blood pressure, and C stands for Cholesterol.
A1C
- Averages blood glucose levels over the last three months. For most individuals with diabetes it is good to keep this level below 7%.
Blood Pressure
- Blood pressure is the force of blood when it pushes against arterial walls. High blood pressure can result in an increased risk of developing heart and kidney disease. People diagnosed with diabetes aim to have a blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg.
Cholesterol
- Cholesterol is a type of fat which when it accumulates can end up clogging one’s arteries. This in turn increases the risk of developing heart disease and other heart complications. Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level and receiving consultations about medicine like statins to alleviate the issue is important in lowering the risk of future health problems.
In essence, keeping your blood sugar in check is a necessity for preventing the development of diabetes and its progression. Through proper monitoring, mindful eating, and a fit lifestyle, keeping blood sugar in check becomes something that almost anyone is capable of doing efficiently.
Works Cited
“Manage Blood Sugar | Diabetes.” CDC, 15 May 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/treatment/index.html. Accessed 1 October 2024.
“Managing Diabetes - NIDDK.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/managing-diabetes. Accessed 1 October 2024.
Meacham, Jared. “How many carbs should you eat each day to lose weight?” MedicalNewsToday, 10 January 2024, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320773. Accessed 1 October 2024.