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Everything About Blood Sugar Levels and Ranges You Must Know

Every diabetes patient either faces high blood sugar levels or low blood sugar levels from time to time. 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 80-130 mg/dL. After 1-2 hours of eating a meal, the blood sugar level range should be less than 180 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.

I routinely advise all my diabetic patients to carry a chocolate with them at all times because low blood sugar is very dangerous than high blood sugar and should be corrected immediately by taking a sweet or glucose.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Symptoms of High Blood Sugar

High blood sugar or hyperglycemia is an exceedingly common condition. It can be caused due to stress or excessive eating of carbs. It is vital for people with diabetes to monitor blood sugar levels and look out for the signs to take timely action. Here are some of the other sugar level increase symptoms.

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

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.

Dietary and lifestyle modifications are very important apart from the recommendations of oral and injectables for control of blood sugar levels. Regular consultation with your physician at least once a year is highly recommended.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Treatment For High Blood Sugar

Drink a lot of sugar-free beverages.
Go for regular walks.
Take natural remedies.
Avoid going for a walk or exercise if your sugar is above 250 mg/dl.
Drink fluid in the form of buttermilk and lemon water without sugar.
Correct your diet with the help of a registered dietitian.

If you have persistent sugar level increase symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. They will modify your meal plan, adjust the medical regime and physical activity routine.

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 know 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, Sorbitol and xylitol are sugar-free alcohols capable of boosting your sugar levels.

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 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 15gms 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.

Also Read: Is Sucralose Bad for You? Unraveling the Truth Based on Research

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.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

The Best High Energy Dosa Recipe For Diabetics

Diabetes is one of the many chronic ailments that have the potential to severely compromise your quality of life. However, with effective diet control and lifestyle management, its negative effects can be kept at bay. The Rajgira (amaranth seeds) Flour Dosa is one such food item, which when added to the daily diet, helps to control blood sugar levels and hence keep diabetes in check.

Ingredients (Serves 7 – 8)

3 tbsp Yellow Moong dal
3 tbsp Green Moong dal
3 tbsp Chana dal/Split chickpeas
3 tbsp Urad dal/Split black grams lentils
3 tbsp Red lentils/Masoor dal
1 cup Rajgira flour
1 cup Cabbage (shredded)
1/2 cup Coriander leaves
2 no. Chopped green chillies
1/2 tsp Red chilli powder
1 tsp Cumin seeds
1/2 tsp Coriander powder
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
Salt to taste
2 pinches – Asafoetida/hing
Oil/Ghee for making the dosa

Instructions

Wash the dals & soak them for 2 hours.
Prepare the veggies as mentioned above & depicted in the pictures.
Once the dals are soaked, grind them in the blender until a smooth paste is made.
Now add rajgira flour to the dal batter.
Also add the remaining ingredients – veggies, spices, seasonings except for oil.
Once the ingredients are brought together, pour a ladle full of batter on a hot Tawa (skillet) which is brushed well with oil.
After pouring the batter, spread it around to make a circular dosa.
Add a few drops of oil on the border of the dosa & cook on medium flame.
The edges of the dosa will start leaving & it is then that the dosa is ready to be removed from the Tawa.
Serve hot with chutney.

Ease Diabetes With PharmEasy – Join This Community To Manage Diabetes Better!

Hello everyone! This community is the first of its kind for people who have been diagnosed with diabetes. When your doctor tells you that you have diabetes, it is natural to experience some anxiety about this. But trust us when we say that if you learn to manage diabetes, you don’t have anything to fear and that is why we are here. You don’t have to struggle against diabetes alone, we are here to help – to hold your hand and offer you guidance, answer all your queries and clear your doubts so that you can manage this health condition successfully and live an anxiety-free life.

Get all your Diabetes queries answered by Experts

Join this group now to receive 100% accurate information about diabetes that is verified by diabetologists, doctors and certified diabetes educators and nutritionists. In this community, you will find answers to all your pressing diabetes-linked questions. What should be your ideal blood sugar levels? Does diabetes ever go away? What other health conditions does diabetes trigger? How can you prevent further healthcare complications? What lifestyle changes are recommended? Whatever questions you have, you can reach out to our diabetes experts. They will help you understand diabetes better to manage it better.

It is a private community where you can post your queries without revealing your identity. So no more hesitation, go ahead and ask anything related to your health and diabetes and our experts will help you.

HbA1c is your average blood glucose (sugar) level for the last two to three months. If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 6.5% or below, regular monitoring of HbA1c with blood glucose levels is very essential.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Debunk Diabetes diet myths with Nutritionists

One of the most crucial aspects of diabetes management is diet. Unfortunately, a lot of myths prevail about what kind of meals are ideal for people with high blood sugar. Do you have to give up your beloved laddus and jalebis? Does this mean no more aloo ka paratha? What about your beloved oh-so-sweet fruits like apples and bananas? The good news is, diabetes does not mean a lifetime of bland food. Get free diet tips from diabetes nutrition experts on becoming a part of this community. With these expert tips, you can keep your blood sugar levels in check without setting unrealistic and unattainable dietary goals.

Stretch (yoga) your way to better health!

Another successful way to keep blood sugar levels in check is through exercise. Exercise lowers blood sugar levels and boosts the health of all your organs. How much exercise do you need a day and what kind of exercise will suit you? Our diabetologists are here to equip you with all the right information. One form of exercise that not only helps with diabetes management but also alleviates stress and anxiety is yoga. We have absolutely free live yoga sessions for our community members every day. Join this group to participate in live yoga sessions every day!

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Emphasize your mental health too

If constant worrying about your health is taking a toll, we are here to give you advice on how to improve your mental health because we know that if your mind is not fit, then you can’t strive to make your body healthy. Post your queries on mental health-related issues, stress management and we are there to help.

Who should join this Facebook community?

If you are a person living with any type of diabetes or prediabetes.
If you are a caretaker of a person with diabetes.
If you are not diabetic but have a family history of diabetes, are overweight, have a sedentary lifestyle and want to learn healthy eating and living habits.
If you are a female with PCOS.
Anyone who wants to understand a healthy lifestyle and diet to reduce the risk of diabetes later in life.

Why should you join this Facebook community?

100% Doctor verified information
Get your queries answered
Inspire others and get inspired from other people who are managing diabetes well
Learning about diet management, lifestyle changes and yoga will keep you motivated and can help you reduce your pill burden or prevent you from developing complications- managing diabetes not just requires the prescribed medications but with the right diet, exercise and regular monitoring of your sugars you can live a long and fulfilling life.
Learn about emergencies and complications related to diabetes and understand how to prevent and manage them

So what are you waiting for? Join our group of 5K+ members and become a part of the family! Together we can encourage, empower and enable each other to fight diabetes and live a healthy life.

We do not prescribe medicines or treatments in this community. But will equip you with the right information on lifestyle changes, diet and yoga to manage your diabetes better. Every person is different, the information provided on the page is to help you understand the condition better and should not be considered as a substitute for your doctor’s advice or treatment plan. You should consult your doctor for regular follow-ups and before implementing any major changes in your diet or routine.

Traveling And Diabetic? Add This To Your Checklist!

When you plan your travel, it is essential to organize several things well in advance to prevent an emergency due to diabetes and also ensure blood sugar control. An organized kit and some practical ideas can be of great value in keeping the blood glucose under control and avoid extreme fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

Medicinal products

If you are on treatment with Insulin (either syringes or insulin pump), it is essential to carry enough supplies with some extras. If you are on treatment with oral medicinal products these too should be carried in enough quantities.
Consult with your physician and get a detailed prescription with all doses of anti-diabetic medicinal products listed clearly along with doses of any other medicinal products (motion sickness, acidity, diarrhoea, constipation, antibiotics, painkillers, etc.) that you may need during the travel period.
Carrying a blood glucose monitoring device is a must along with the required strips, cotton swabs, sanitisers, a waste container to discard used material. Do not forget to include a small first aid kit.
It is essential to check the patient information leaflet for the storage or temperature conditions particularly for insulin since its activity may be affected due to change in temperatures. Accordingly, if required by the manufacturer, you may need to carry ice-packs or cool bags to maintain the temperature of the insulin.
If you use an insulin pump, it is advisable to check with the airline regarding the security requirement and accordingly arranging for formal documents required from the treating physician.
Changes in air pressure may affect the insulin delivered by the pump; hence you may need to disconnect and connect again after take-off and landing. Consult your treating physician for specific information.
Also, weather and altitude affect the test results of glucose monitoring devices, please read the device manually or contact your pharmacist/manufacturer to clear your doubts and confirm the requirements.
Since the dietary content may vary significantly, during the initial stay duration, it is advisable to monitor blood glucose frequently.

Diet

Things to eat which would last long should be packed according to the number of travel days. Dry snacks such as dry fruits, khakhras, should be packed to manage hunger in case the meals get delayed due to any reason.
Fruit juices avoided otherwise should be carried out to manage the sudden drop in blood glucose due to any reason. Likewise, glucose in any form powder or tablets can also be included. Read more about the best foods for diabetics to consume.
Choose healthy local cuisine. If you crave sweets there, you can enjoy however opting for smaller portions and monitoring of blood glucose to keep a check.

General useful information

Pack medicine supplies in two different bags. Keep essential medicines in hand baggage if travelling by air or in an accessible and convenient place.
Taking care of your feet is equally important while travelling since on them depends on your complete travel plan. Choose appropriate terrain footwear for moving around comfortably.

Weight loss is an integral part of Diabetes Management. To do so, slow down your eating process and speed up weight loss. Diabetes is not the end of the world. Debunk Diabetes Myths Here. And most importantly, follow your doctor’s advice completely.

Need more information on diabetes and its related diseases? Ask Anya! Chat with Anya Bot here via Facebook and get more information on diabetes management.

Also Read: Are Bananas Good for Diabetics? A Research-Based Analysis

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute fairly common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

Slow Down Your Eating To Speed Up Your Weight Loss

In the management of diabetes, weight loss plays a critical role and therefore it’s necessary to decode questions associated with it. This article will not only help you clear off doubts associated with body weight in type 2 diabetes management, but also suggest simple and easy ways to manage your weight.

Question 1: Is there a connection between body weight and type 2 diabetes?

Answer 1: Yes, though not always excess body weight is an important risk for developing type 2 diabetes or high blood sugar. More than 80% (approximately) of the people with diabetes are above their ideal weight.

Question 2: How does excess weight affect normal blood glucose control?

Answer 2: Excess weight can lead to improper control of blood sugar because:

Excess fat in the body does not allow the body to respond adequately to insulin (insulin resistance).
This leads to abnormal or high levels of glucose in the blood which, if not controlled, progresses to Diabetes.
Also, excess fat increases inflammatory chemicals which increases the risk of complications of Diabetes.

Question 3: Has it been shown that weight loss improves diabetes control and reduces the risk of complications?

Answer 3: Yes, there is plenty of data from diabetic patients validating that the reduction of fat can help control diabetes and reduce the risk of its complications.

Weight loss, therefore, is important for the management of diabetes and reducing the risk of its complications. Some suggestive changes in your daily routine, which can help in reducing fat, are listed below.

Also Read: Best Fruits for Weight Loss: A Comprehensive Guide

Simple but effective ways to reduce excessive fat:

Eat soon after you brush in the morning. Start with some dry fruits like walnut or black raisins or almonds not soaked just washed.
Most importantly do not eat after 8 pm or at least 2 hours before going to sleep.
Eating fast induces weight gain four times faster than normal speed-eating (approx. 20 min per meal). So, eat slowly, chew more, and gain less! Chew your food approximately 30 times per bite.
Diet content suggestions:
- Replace cornflakes with oats, but not the instant ones. Read more about the health benefits of oatmeal.
- Finish the bowl of salad (cucumber, cabbage, seedless tomato, lettuce, carrot) before the chapatti-vegetable. Change the processing of the salad cut, sometimes chop, sometimes mince and sometimes grated.
- Over a period of time, reduce the number of chapattis you eat and increase the number of veggies.
- Include a bowl of dal. If you cannot skip rice so reduce the quantity slowly and increase the quantity of dal to make you feel just short of being full.
- Have a glass of thin buttermilk (1 teaspoon fat-free curd blended with 1 glass of water) if you still feel hungry. Read more about the health benefits of buttermilk.
- To spice up your food, avoid pickles and opt for chutneys.
- During a week, have soup (not instant ones) and salad at least a couple of times or a bowl of sprouts with finely chopped salads with fresh lemon juice.
- Try not to consume paneer, potato, corn, sweet potato, juices, tinned fruits, bottled beverages, sweets, papad, pickles, noodles, red meat/mutton.
Another step to reduce weight is a 45-minute brisk walk for 45-minutes on a flat path/road at an approximate speed of 100 steps per minute. You can split it into three 15 minute walks. If not walking right after a meal, do it after at least 15 minutes.

Diabetes is a lifestyle disease but it is shrouded in myths. Debunk Diabetic Myths here. The best way to approach Diabetes is to follow the doctor’s advice thoroughly. Here is why. If you are planning a vacation or need to travel, try this checklist!

Also Read: Opting For Healthy Noodles: A Comprehensive Guide

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.