Everything About Blood Sugar Levels and Ranges You Must Know

Introduction

Key pillars of diabetes management include taking prescribed medications on time, monitoring and recording your blood sugar levels as advised and making necessary diet and lifestyle changes. There are different tests to measure blood sugar levels and each has different reference ranges. High blood sugar levels are known as hyperglycemia, while low blood sugar levels are called hypoglycemia.

For a person with diabetes, it’s exceedingly vital to check blood sugar levels every now and then. Read on to know the normal blood sugar levels in the human body. 

Normal Blood Glucose Levels in the Human Body

For individuals with diabetes, the normal blood glucose range before eating should be 80-100 mg/dL. After 2 hours of eating a meal, the blood sugar level range should be less than 140  mg/dL. 

A reading of over 180 mg/dL after two hours comes under the high blood sugar level range. On the other hand, a blood sugar level under 70 mg/dL is low. 

Symptoms of High Blood Sugar

High blood sugar or hyperglycemia is a presentation of diabetes. A doctor will evaluate your blood sugar levels at different times to make a diagnosis.  Very high blood sugar can make a person feel unwell and may present with the following symptoms –

• Nausea 
• Extreme thirst 
• Extreme hunger 
• Need for repeated urination 
• Fading of the vision 
• Loss of consciousness

Preventing High Blood Sugar Levels

Here are a few ways of preventing high blood sugar:

• You must test your blood sugar levels often. It becomes all the more vital when you’re not following your usual routine or are sick. Testing will allow you to manage the condition early on. 
• If your blood sugar levels are too high, consult a doctor as soon as possible. 
• Try to drink more water and reduce your caffeine intake. 
• Divide your meals into small-spaced portions to prevent sudden spikes
• Eat a balanced diet with proteins, healthy fats and healthy sources of carbohydrates in moderation.

Treatment For High Blood Sugar

 Follow the medications prescribed by your doctor. 

In case of blood sugar levels higher than 260 mg/dL, talk to your doctor for adjustment in the ongoing treatment regimen if needed.

Work on your diet and exercise plan.

Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar Levels

Also known as hypoglycemia, blood sugar levels can go down when a diabetic person doesn’t consume sufficient food. Read on to learn some of the other symptoms of low blood sugar. 

• Anxiety 
• Sweating 
• Weakness 
• Hunger 
• Irritability 
• Dizziness 
• Fast heartbeat 

You may show any of these symptoms if your blood sugar drops suddenly. In many cases, people also suffer from low blood sugar even though their levels are higher.  

For instance, if the blood sugar level was 300 mg/dL for a week and suddenly lowered to 100 mg/dL, it can also be a symptom of low blood sugar.

Preventing Low Blood Sugar

Here are some of the ways to prevent low blood sugar problems. 

• Do not skip your meals. Consume them on time. 
• Try to avoid taking a shower immediately after an insulin shot. 
• Stick with your average blood sugar level range management plan religiously. 

Treatment For Low Blood Sugar

Fast-acting carbohydrates such as juices, glucose tablets and regular soda are effective ways of controlling low blood sugar. If an individual cannot consume food or drinks, make sugar paste and give it to him/her.

Why Is It Important to Know the Symptoms of High and Low Blood Sugar Levels?

By recognising the sugar level increase symptoms mentioned above, diabetes patients can avoid medical emergencies like diabetic ketoacidosis. The sooner an individual understands these symptoms, the sooner they can test and avoid critical situations.  

A potent way of managing your diabetes is to keep a clear target range. Monitoring blood sugar levels can help eliminate long-term diabetes complications. 

What Are Some of the Foods That Can Cause a Shift in Blood Sugar Levels?

1. Sugar-Free Foods

While such foods are free from sugar, they still contain a lot of carbohydrates. It is essential to check the nutritional facts before digging into sugar-free foods. For instance, a dessert or ice cream labelled sugar-free will still have lots of calories and carbohydrates.  

2. Sports Drinks

The goal of sports drinks is to replenish your energy levels quickly. That said, plenty of it contains as much sugar as soda. So they can increase your blood sugar levels. 

3. Yoghurt

Many types of yoghurts have healthy bacteria. They help enhance digestion and facilitate the balancing of blood sugar levels. However, some contain added sugars and flavours that can affect your normal blood glucose level. 

4. Dried Fruits

While fruits are healthy, dried fruits contain a lot of carbohydrates in a small pack. For instance, three dates have 15 grams of carbs. That is why they can cause an upswing in your blood sugar levels.  

Conclusion

While high blood sugar and low blood sugar are severe conditions, they can be controlled by constant glucose monitoring and avoiding certain habits. To make sure that your average blood sugar level is maintained, you must keep a record of it all. It’d allow your doctor to modify the treatment, for instance, the amount of insulin to take, as and when needed. Plus, you’d be able to take the right actions to control your diabetes by monitoring glucose. 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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