What is Blood Sugar

As the name suggests, blood sugar (also known as blood glucose) is an indication of the amount of sugar or glucose that is present in the bloodstream of an individual.

For a human body to survive and to be healthy it is absolutely vital for a healthy level of blood sugar to be maintained, and this sugar that is present in the blood is derived primarily from the carbohydrates that one consumes.

Medical experts claim that a healthy human will also derive sugar and glucose from other sources like proteins and fats as well, and the deficiency of these sources can cause serious medical consequences at any point in time.

The millions of cells that are present in the body require energy to survive and to sustain themselves, and this energy is provided to them by glucose which reaches them via the bloodstream.

This glucose is released to the various body parts and cells by the intestine, and the hormone insulin (which is produced by the pancreas) also plays an important and essential role in regulating the amount of sugar that reaches the different cells of the body.

Blood sugar level is measured in the form of millimoles per liter, and this is abbreviated as mmol/L. The normal blood sugar range for a healthy human being is between 3.6 - 5.8 mmol/L but this level may fluctuate many times in a day.

Blood sugar levels are usually at their lowest in the morning (at this time it is known as the fasting level) and also before meals, and blood sugar levels are at their highest for a few hours after eating a meal. Referring to this blood sugar levels chart will also give you more information about the healthy levels that need to be maintained.

Now that you know what is blood sugar, you should also know the importance of maintaining blood sugar levels, and what happens if a healthy equilibrium is not maintained. There are many different tests that need to be conducted in order to determine the blood sugar levels in an individual, and these tests are conducted over a period of around 2 weeks.

One single reading of excessively high or low blood glucose levels is not an accurate indicator of an ailment, so the level needs to be monitored over a period of time.

When the blood sugar level in the body is excessively high for a prolonged period of time, it is known as Hyperglycemia. Living with this level for a long duration can cause severe dehydration, so it needs to be regulated on a regular basis.

Common symptoms of this condition are excessive thirst, intense fatigue and exhaustion, frequent urination and a general state of weakness. When the blood sugar level in the body is excessively low for a prolonged period of time, it is known as Hypoglycemia and it is equally dangerous.

Living with this level for a long duration can cause nausea, blurred vision, anxiety, rapid heart rate, extreme fatigue, sleepiness, confusion or unsteadiness and, it may precipitate into coma.

As mentioned above, insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and it helps to regulate healthy blood sugar levels in the body. If the body is not producing enough insulin then the metabolism rate slows down, and the blood sugar level rises very fast.

This is a condition known as Diabetes and it is one of the most common diseases all around the world. The only cure for this condition is to administer a regular dosage of insulin to the body through the means of external injections, and to eat a healthy diet that does not contain high amounts of sugar.

The 3 different types of diabetes are as follows.

• Type I: This is a state when the immune system of the body attacks the pancreas and causes the cells to produce less or no insulin at all.

• Type II: This is the common type of diabetes where the insulin production slows down due to unhealthy eating and living habits, genetic composure and aging.
• Gestational Diabetes: This state only occurs in pregnant women due to the change in the hormonal composure of the body, and it can lead to Type II diabetes in the woman and the baby in the future.

Diabetes is a very dangerous ailment that needs to be controlled because the failure to do so can lead to several complications and ailments like eye diseases (retinopathy), nerve diseases (neuropathy), kidney diseases (nephropathy), cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, hypertension and even gangrene in some extreme situations.

In order to check your blood sugar levels at home you can purchase a testing kit from your local chemist and check it yourself, or you can visit a doctor and have him check it for you.

In order to maintain a healthy blood sugar level in your body you need to follow several steps over a prolonged period of time. You must eat healthy foods that are not too rich in sugar. Consuming vegetables and fruits in a day will help you control massive fluctuations.

Additionally, you must also get adequate sleep and follow a proper sleeping pattern, you must exercise at least 3 - 5 times a week, and you must regularly visit a doctor for a routine checkup once every 6 months.