Live A Healthy Life By Watching Your Blood Sugar Level

The main fuel that the body uses to produce energy is called blood sugar or blood glucose. Hence, among the most pivotal requirements for maintaining a healthy body is the maintenance of a balanced blood glucose level. To be able to do so, various factors should be understood about blood sugar. Among these factors are how it works, its normal ranges, the consequences of having low or high levels of it, as well as the various tools and tests that can be used to measure it.

So how does blood glucose work in the body? The primary sources of glucose are foods rich in carbohydrates, as well as proteins and fats. When these foods are consumed, our body breaks down their sugar and starch components into glucose, which is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. From the blood, glucose is then pushed into most of the body cells by insulin-a natural hormone produced by the pancreas-and then provides each cell with the energy necessary to carry out their specific functions. Normal ranges of blood sugar levels according to experts should be between 70 and 120 mg/dl.

The most accurate and easy way of measuring blood sugar levels is through the use of blood sugar meters. To use these tools, a drop of blood is first taken from the patient. The blood is usually taken from the fingertip by using shooting a small lancet into the skin. The drop of blood is then placed on a special coated strip which in turn is inserted into the blood sugar tester. The level of blood sugar is then calculated by the tester using the electric impulses it receives from the reaction of blood to the chemicals on the strip. Results are then displayed usually on a small digital screen.

Various blood sugar tests may be employed when monitoring blood sugar levels. These tests include the fasting blood sugar test, the 2 hour postprandial blood glucose test, the random blood sugar testing, and the glucose tolerance test. The fasting blood sugar test is usually performed in the morning as this is a test done after a fast, usually about 8 hours long. This is done to minimize the impact on the blood of eating and drinking. On the other hand, the “2 hour postprandial” blood glucose test is performed two hours after eating while blood sugar tests are being performed at random hours throughout the day with the random blood sugar test. This test discounts the effects of food consumption, activity, exercise, or sleep. Finally is the glucose tolerance test which is done by having the patient drink a liquid made mostly from glucose. The purpose of this test is to monitor the immediate effects of the body to after consumption of high levels of sugar.

Blood sugar meter readings of high or low levels of blood sugar may have significant effects on our daily living. Hypoglycemia results from low levels of blood sugar. This condition is triggered by consumption of too little or insufficient food, too much exercise, and/or inappropriate medication. People with this condition often feel sweaty, dizzy, hungry, and shaky. On the other hand, people with high levels of blood glucose often suffer from the condition called hyperglycemia. A high level of blood sugar is also the defining characteristic of diabetes. In the short-run, high levels of blood sugar may only result in fatigue, inability to concentrate, and blurred vision. However, if not properly addressed, long term consequences of high levels of blood glucose include heart and kidney disease, nerve and blood vessel damages, blindness, and gum diseases.

Debilitating effects in our daily lives may result from abnormal levels of blood sugar. As such, it is a must to regularly monitor our levels of blood sugar through the use of blood sugar meters and other blood sugar tests. This is also especially necessary in maintaining a balanced, healthy life.

Allan Meister is an anthropologist from London, England. As diabetes runs in his family, Mr. Meister always keeps at hand a blood sugar meter and an Accu Check Smart Fix so as to be able to monitor his blood sugar levels.