Blood Sugar and Diabetes Learn about blood sugar, also called blood glucose, and what it does in your body. Understand diabetes and its symptoms, blood sugar management strategies, methods for monitoring, including using a blood glucose meter or continuous glucose monitoring. Learn how common targets of blood sugar management can help, how the A1C test can tell if your blood sugar is under control, and how to prevent diabetes complications by managing high blood sugar.
What is blood sugar?
Blood sugar is another word for blood glucose, which is the primary sugar circulating in your blood flow. It’s kind of a big deal, as it’s the major source of energy for the inside of your body. It comes from the foods you eat. Your body breaks most of the food you eat down into glucose and then releases it into your bloodstream. When the amount of sugar in your blood starts to rise, it sends a signal to your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin acts as a hormone to help cells use glucose for energy.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease where there is too much sugar in the blood. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it properly. Too much glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells. If high blood sugar levels are not controlled, they can cause serious health problems—complications of diabetes. So if you have diabetes, it is important to keep your blood sugar level close to the target range. What are your blood sugar goals?
If you have diabetes, try to reach your blood sugar goals as much as possible. Common goals are:
Before meals: 80-130 mg/dL
2 hours after meal: less than 180 mg/dL
Your blood sugar goals will be different depending on your age, any other health problems you may have, and other factors. Work with your health care team to decide which targets are best for you.
How often and at which times of the day should I check my blood sugar?
If you have diabetes, you’ll probably need to check your blood sugar every day. Some people with diabetes need to check several times a day. Ask your health care team how often you need to test.
The most common method to test your blood sugar at home is with a blood glucose meter. A blood glucose meter measures the amount of glucose in a small sample of blood, usually from a finger stick.
Another way of measuring glucose levels is by continuous glucose monitoring, or CGM. The majority of CGM systems have small sensors worn under the skin. The devices record the glucose level in your blood every few minutes. It can detect changes in your blood sugar during the day and throughout the night. It is especially useful for people with insulin-treated diabetes who experience hypoglycaemia.
Your doctor will also check your blood sugar with an A1C blood test. This will tell you what your average blood sugar has been for the past three months. If you have diabetes, you should have your A1C tested at least twice a year. If you are not meeting your treatment goals, you will need the test more often.
What if my blood sugar is too high?
Hyperglycemia means that your blood glucose is too high. You could be having hyperglycemia if you have the following symptoms:
- Increased Thirst
- Fatigue or weakness
- Headaches
- Frequent Urilnation
- Blurred visioln
Talk with your health care team if your blood glucose often is too high, or you have symptoms of high blood glucose. You may need to make a change in your diabetes meal plan, physical activity program, or diabetes medicine.
Other diseases that may alter insulin actions or blood sugar levels may also be a cause of hyperglycemia. Some examples of such symptoms include disorders of the pancreas and adrenal glands.
What if my blood sugar is low?
Hypoglycemia, also called low blood sugar, is a condition in which the level of glucose in the blood drops below normal. For most people with diabetes, it is below 70 mg/dl. Their values may be different. So check with your health care team to find out how low your blood sugar is.
Hypoglycemia symptoms do occur very quickly. Although they vary from person to person, they may include:
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Confusion
- Lightheadedness
- Hunger
People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and people taking certain medicines to treat diabetes, are at risk of low blood sugar. If you think you’re going to have hypoglycaemia or if you have symptoms, check your blood sugar even if you don’t notice symptoms. Hypoglycemia can be dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible.
Although rare, hypoglycemia can also happen if you don’t have diabetes. This is caused by problems like liver or kidney disease or hormone deficiency—where the body’s got too little of certain hormones. Also, some medicines are known to cause the problem, such as some heart medicines and antibiotics. Ask your doctor about other causes of hypoglycemia and treatment.
FAQ
1. What is blood sugar?
Blood glucose is a type of sugar your blood has, and it comes from the food you eat. It is the chief source of energy for your body. After eating, your body changes the food into glucose and releases it into your bloodstream. Actually, your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin, and this hormone helps your cells use glucose for energy.
2. What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease caused by high levels of blood glucose persistently running in a body. Very dangerous to a person’s health are the resultant high sugar levels that may exist in blood if determinedly not controlled.
3. What are common blood sugar goals for people with diabetes?
Common blood sugar goals for people with diabetes include:
- Before meals: 80-130 mg/dL
- 2 hours after meals: Less than 180 mg/dL
These targets may vary depending on individual factors, such as age and other health conditions. It is important to work with your health-care team to determine the best targets for you.
4. How often should I check my blood sugar levels?
How often you should check your blood glucose depends on your treatment plan. Most people with diabetes check once a day, but some have to check several times a day. Talk to your health care team about how often is right for you.
5. What modes can be implemented to monitor the level of blood glucose?
Blood Glucose Meters: A device that calculates the amount of glucose in your blood from only a little sample of your blood, normally drawn from the tip of your finger.
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: A system of small sensors implanted under your skin, which measures the glucose at preset intervals throughout the day and night.
- What is the A1C test?
A1C test reflects your blood sugars over the past three months. It allows one to show a big picture of how well you have been keeping control over your blood sugar and should, at a minimum, be checked twice a year or more often if your treatment targets have not been met. - What are the symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)?
High blood sugar occurs when there is a buildup of glucose in your bloodstream, caused by an insulin deficiency or insulin resistance. Symptoms include:
-Increased thirst
-Fatigue or weakness
-Headaches
-Frequent urination
-Blurred vision
If you often have high blood sugar or its symptoms, discuss how you can adjust your treatment plan with your health care team.
8. What are the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)?
The symptoms of hypoglycemia can occur suddenly and may include any of the following:
-Trembling
-Sweating
-Nervousness or anxiety
-Confusion
-Lightheadedness
-Hunger
Hypoglycemia is generally defined as a level of blood sugar below 70 mg/dl. If you feel like you have hypoglycemia, check your blood sugar immediately and treat it.
- Does hypoglycemia only occur in people with diabetes?
Hypoglycemia can occur in most people who do not have the disease, although it is often due to liver or kidney diseases, a lack of hormones needed to regulate blood sugar that happens as complications from deficiency diseases, and some medications. If you experience or start to develop symptoms of hypoglycemia, consult your doctor to find out what may be causing it and how it can be managed or treated. - How can I manage my blood sugar properly?
There are three main things a healthy diet, regular physical activity—
Keeping track of your blood sugar
Taking the medication
Following up regularly with your health team
Keeping these practices will let you keep your blood sugar in your target range. That lowers the chance that you’ll have diabetes complications.
