What Level of Blood Sugar is Dangerous? A Complete, Research-Based Guide
By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 22, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 22, 2024Table of Contents
The importance of understanding and managing blood sugar levels cannot be overstated, especially for those living with diabetes. Blood sugar levels play a significant role in maintaining overall well-being and avoiding potential health risks. In this article, we will delve into the topic of blood sugar levels, exploring what they are, how they can become dangerous, and how to maintain them within a healthy range.
This comprehensive guide will cover everything from the role of glucose in the body, methods of measuring blood sugar levels, recognizing and dealing with high and low blood sugar, and finally, management techniques to ensure good health. By becoming proficient in monitoring and managing blood sugar levels, you may significantly reduce the risk of diabetes complications and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Lastly, we will be answering frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
We need to grasp what glucose is, and its impact, to manage blood sugar levels soundly. In this section, we’ll discuss about what glucose is, where it comes from, its job in our bodies, and how it’s made and kept in check.
Glucose is a small form of sugar picked up from the carbohydrates we eat. It acts as the body’s main energy source and is key for all cells to work right.
Foods rich in carbohydrates are where most glucose comes from, such as:
The carbohydrates in these foods are broken down into smaller, simpler glucose parts. The body can then take these in and use them as fuel.
Glucose has several jobs in the body, such as:
Our bodies have ways to form, keep in check, and uphold glucose levels. Two key hormones, insulin, and glucagon are important for keeping glucose stable.
Insulin is a hormone made by beta cells of the pancreas. Its main job is to keep track of glucose levels by making sure cells take in glucose and use it for energy. Insulin also prompts the liver and muscles to store any leftover glucose as glycogen. This stops too much glucose in the blood after meals.
Glucagon is another hormone made by the alpha cells of the pancreas. It helps increase blood glucose levels if they drop too low. It does this by pushing the liver to turn stored glycogen back into glucose and releasing it into the bloodstream. Glucagon balances out insulin’s work, together making sure blood sugar levels stay within a healthy limit.
The liver plays a big part in keeping glucose stable. It stores surplus glucose as glycogen and lets it out when needed. This makes sure the brain, in particular, always has its supply of glucose.
Testing and making sense of blood sugar levels is key to managing diabetes effectively. We’ll take a look at the ways to test blood sugar, units used for readings, and factors that can change the readings in this section. We’ll also talk about normal blood sugar limits for people with and without diabetes.
There are several ways to check blood sugar levels, each with its pros and cons. Some normal testing methods are as follows.
This test checks blood sugar levels after you have not eaten or drank anything other than water for at least 8 hours. The test is often done first thing in the morning, before breakfast. It gives an idea of your baseline blood sugar and is widely used to confirm diabetes or keep track of it.
A random sugar test checks your glucose at any time of day, not caring about when you last had food or drink. While this method may be less accurate than fasting tests, it still gives useful insight into overall blood sugar control.
The HbA1c test shows the average blood sugar level over the previous 2-3 months. It does this by gauging how much sugar is attached to hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. HbA1c gives a more long-term view of blood sugar control than other tests, making it very important in diabetes management.
Blood sugar levels are typically measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Different countries may use different units, but these can be easily changed into each other using a simple formula (1 mmol/L = 18 mg/dL).
Several things can change blood sugar readings, which are as follows.
It’s important to bear these factors in mind when reasoning out sugar level results and making changes to how you manage your diabetes.
Blood sugar levels can vary from person to person, but below are some broad-stroke target ranges:
Personal blood sugar goals may differ based on age, overall health, and co-existence of other health problems, among others. Your doctor or healthcare provider may suggest specific blood sugar targets.
Hyperglycaemia, or high blood sugar, is a common issue faced by those with diabetes. In this section, we will discuss what hyperglycaemia is, its causes, signs to look for and possible symptoms, long-term side effects, and available management options.
Hyperglycaemia refers to abnormally high blood glucose levels that exceed the normal range for a person with or without diabetes. It happens when the body lacks insulin, or when cells don’t properly react to insulin, leading to a buildup of glucose in the bloodstream.
Several factors can add to high blood sugar levels, which are as follows.
Spotting the early symptoms of high blood sugar is key to quick management and reducing the risk of side effects. Here are some early signs to look for:
If high blood sugar isn’t addressed, it can lead to harmful acids called ketones building up, causing a condition known as ketoacidosis. Symptoms of this include:
Continued high blood sugar can lead to long-term health problems, which are as follows.
Managing high blood sugar calls for changes in lifestyle and sometimes medications, depending on how bad the condition is and personal circumstances.
It’s essential to team up closely with your healthcare provider to form a custom management plan that fits your needs and monitors your progress.
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Hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, can also pose a significant risk to individuals with diabetes. In this section, we will explore the definition of hypoglycaemia, its causes, signs and symptoms, emergency complications, and management options.
Hypoglycemia refers to abnormally low blood glucose levels that fall below the normal range for a person with or without diabetes. It usually happens when there’s an imbalance between the supply of glucose in the bloodstream and the body’s need for energy.
Several factors can cause low blood sugar levels, which are as follows.
Symptoms of low blood sugar can vary, but some common ones are as follows.
Severe hypoglycaemia can be dangerous leading to the following.
When you have low blood sugar, it’s important to act fast to raise your blood glucose level. You can do this by eating quick-acting carbohydrates, which are as follows.
After having the quick-acting carbohydrate, wait about 15 minutes and check your blood sugar level again. If it’s still below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), repeat it till your blood sugar goes back to normal.
To avoid hypoglycaemia, it’s key to stick to your diabetes management plan. This might include the following.
Make sure you work closely with your healthcare provider to form a custom plan that meets your specific needs and tweaks your management plan as needed.
Being proactive in managing blood sugar levels is key for long-term health and avoiding dangerous blood sugar levels. In this section, we’ll talk about ways to figure out your own target ranges, monitor blood glucose, and create a healthy routine.
Work closely with your healthcare provider to nail down the best blood sugar targets for you. Your age, health, and diabetes management plan can all affect this.
Checking your blood glucose levels often is key for noting any changes and fine-tuning your diabetes management. Methods include:
Pick foods with a low glycaemic index. These release glucose slowly into the bloodstream, keeping spikes in blood sugar at bay.
Following a balanced diet full of wholesome, low-glycaemic foods, and doing regular exercise may help keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
Keeping a lid on stress and getting a good night’s sleep on a regular may have a positive effect on blood sugar control.
Work with your healthcare team, which could include primary care providers, specialists in hormone-related diseases, and certified diabetes care and education experts, for regular health checks and any needed tweaks to how you manage your diabetes.
Managing blood sugar levels is key to diabetes care, and knowing the risks of both high and low blood sugar is vital for long-term health. By taking an active role, those with diabetes may be able to keep their risk of side effects low, maintain a better quality of life, and make sure their blood sugar stays within a safe and healthy range.
Aiming to learn more about blood sugar levels and how to manage them is the key to living a healthy life with diabetes. Also, always work with your doctor for the best possible outcomes.
Normal blood glucose levels can change based on you as a person, like age, overall health, and diabetes management plan. Talk to your healthcare provider to nail down your personal target range.
For non-diabetics, a good fasting blood sugar level is 70-100 mg/dL (3.9-5.6 mmol/L), and a random blood sugar level should be 125 mg/dL (6.9 mmol/L) or lower.
For people with diabetes, a good fasting blood sugar level is 80-130 mg/dL (4.4-7.2 mmol/L), and a random blood sugar level should be less than 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). However, specific targets can change based on individual factors. Talk to your healthcare provider for customized advice.
If you see symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (fruity breath, being very thirsty, going to the bathroom a lot, stomach pain, feeling nauseous and throwing up, trouble breathing, feeling confused, or fainting) with a blood sugar reading over 240 mg/dL or any stubborn, unexplained very high blood sugar readings, get medical help right away.
Good blood sugar control involves checking your blood sugar often, sticking to a balanced diet, doing regular physical activity, managing stress, getting decent sleep, and teaming up with your healthcare team for regular health checks and any tweaks needed to handle your diabetes.
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