The foundation of diabetes level management has always been glucose status monitoring. Studies demonstrating a causal link between mean blood glucose (MBG) and the onset and progression of chronic diabetes problems have confirmed the necessity of glycemic control monitoring.
You should stay inside a specific blood sugar goal range. Targets like this are common:
- Two hours before a meal: 80 to 130 mg/dL.
- Two hours after the meal: Less than 180 mg/dL.
Your blood sugar goals may change depending on your age, any additional health issues, and other circumstances.
Fatigue, weight gain, and sugar cravings are some of the frequent issues that can result from poor blood sugar control. You must maintain great control over your blood sugar levels since persistently high sugar levels raise the possibility of developing diabetic complications.
The good news is that it’s simpler than you would think to maintain healthy blood sugar levels with the correct lifestyle and dietary changes.
How Can I Treat High Blood Sugar?
Maintaining your blood sugar levels within the range your doctor has advised might be challenging. This is due to the numerous factors that might trigger sudden changes in your blood sugar levels.
Discuss with your doctor how to maintain blood sugar levels that are within the desired range. Your blood sugar levels can be managed with regular exercise. If you have ketones in your urine, you should avoid exercising. Your blood sugar may rise even more as a result of this.
With or without diabetes, a good diet is essential to leading an active lifestyle. However, if you have diabetes, you must be aware of how different foods might impact your blood sugar levels.
When a prescribed diet and exercise alone are insufficient for treating diabetes, insulin and other diabetic drugs are intended to reduce blood sugar levels. However, when and how many of these drugs are taken will determine their efficacy. The blood sugar levels may be impacted by medications taken for illnesses other than diabetes.
The Relation Between Glucose and Diabetes
Foods that contain carbs are broken down into sugars during digestion. Once released into the bloodstream, these sugars go to the cells. The pancreas releases a hormone called insulin, a significantly tiny organ in the stomach, to bind the sugar in the cell.
In order for the sugar to go from the blood into the cell, insulin serves as a “bridge.” Blood sugar levels rise when the body produces either too little or too much insulin or when the cells are unable to utilize it properly.
Recommended Blood Sugar Levels for Adults and Children
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) shares different segments of blood sugar levels. Each person’s goal range should be approved by their doctor.
Normal and diabetic blood sugar ranges
The following ranges are suggested for children, pregnant women with gestational diabetes, and adults, according to the American Diabetes Association:
| Children |
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For Women with gestational diabetes |
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| For Adults |
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For the most number of healthy individuals, normal blood sugar levels are as follows:
- When fasting: between 72 to 99 mg/dL
- 2 hours after eating: Up to 140 mg/dL
For people diagnosed with diabetes, blood sugar level targets should be as follows:
- Before meals : 80–130 mg/dL for individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- After meals : Lower than 180 mg/dL for individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
The following table lays out results for diagnoses of diabetes level and normal level
| Results | Fasting Blood Sugar Test | Random Blood Sugar Test |
| Normal | 99 mg/dL or below | – |
| Diabetic | 126 mg/dL or above | 200 mg/dL or above |
A1C Testing its Results Analysis
The A1C test measures the average blood sugar over the last three months. You will need to give a blood draw to have your A1C evaluated.
Hemoglobin is a protein that binds to sugar as it enters your circulation. A more significant proportion of the hemoglobin protein coated with sugar is found in individuals with high blood sugar levels. The A1C test will show you what proportion of your hemoglobin is tied to sugar.
You can see in the chart below whether your A1C test falls within a “normal” range or if it may indicate either prediabetes level or diabetes level.
| Diagnosis | A1C result |
| Standard | Less than 5.7% |
| Prediabetes | Between 5.7% and 6.5% |
| diabetes | More than 6.5% |
A1C levels between 5.7% and 6.4% are considered prediabetic, 5.7% and more are considered to be diabetic, and 6.5% and more are considered to be normal. The higher your A1C, the greater your chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes in the prediabetes range of 5.7% to 6.4%. A1C levels under 7% are typically advised for persons with diabetes.
This might be altered, though, by other health issues and objectives. Your doctor will inform you if your A1C target differs based on your circumstances.
Why Maintaining Normal Blood Sugar Levels is Important?
Healthy life, whether or not you have diabetes, starts with good nutrition. There is no denying the significance of a healthy diet in your life. You may be susceptible to illnesses, infections, or even tiredness if you don’t keep a good diet for your body.
In particular, the value of nourishing food for children must be emphasized because, in the absence of it, they run the risk of developing growth and developmental issues. Heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes are some of the most prevalent health issues brought on by an unbalanced diet.
Why Do People With Diabetes Levels Need To Maintain The Right Glucose Level?
You must maintain the best control over your blood sugar levels since persistently high sugar levels raise the possibility of developing diabetic complications.
Diabetes-related health issues include the following:
Kidney Disease
Research has not yet identified the precise mechanism by which high blood glucose levels harm the kidneys. Statistics suggest that developing kidney disease over the years in patients with diabetes is connected with higher blood glucose levels.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) directly impacts diabetic nephropathy, and in individuals with hypertension, the progression of the disease may occur more quickly.
Retinal Disease
Diabetic retinopathy, or retinal disease, is brought on by unfavorable alterations in the retinal blood vessels, which result in leakage, improper growth, or obstruction. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can aggravate, progressing from “background retinopathy” to substantially impairing vision and resulting in blindness.
Heart disease
The blood’s free fatty acids and the hyperglycemia that characterizes diabetes levels can alter the blood’s blood vessel structure, resulting in cardiovascular disease.
There is a chance that the blood vessel lining can thicken, which will affect blood flow. Stroke risk is present, and heart issues are possible. Tobacco withdrawal, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and exercising more are just a few adjustments that people with diabetes levels and indications of coronary heart disease are recommended to undertake.
Conclusion
Blood glucose levels under 99 mg/dL should be the target for everyone. Diabetes levels and other severe problems can result from abnormal or extremely high blood sugar levels.
The best approach to ensure that blood sugar levels stay within a safe range is to monitor them at home.
The most serious consequences of diabetes can result from both hyper- and hypoglycemia. Therefore, maintaining a healthy blood glucose level may be achieved by consuming primarily low-GI meals and engaging in frequent exercise.
For the best diabetes care and to manage its complications with effect, visit Santokh Hospital. We have the best endocrinologists on the premises offering their expert advice to the patients.