About Diabetic Blood Sugar Levels

The human body is designed to produce insulin during digestion that breaks down sugars entering our blood stream. This insulin is produced daily after every meal and we probably don't give it much thought. As diabetes develops the body's ability to produce insulin slows down and sugar builds up in the blood thus causing high blood sugar levels and many other symptoms that accompany diabetes. Early detection is necessary in order to prevent damage to vital organs caused by persistent high blood sugar.

Function

• Glucose or blood sugar level represents the amount of sugar that is present in your body. Blood sugar levels are usually lowest in the morning or after an 8 to 10 hour fast. This is the best time for diabetics to check there sugar level. After meals blood sugar levels will rise by a few grams and return to normal within a couple hours. In people with diabetes blood sugar levels will stay elevated after meals unless insulin is taken to help the body process the sugars as they digest. When the body is processing sugar normally a blood sugar reading should be between 80 and 110. When diabetes is first diagnosed that level can reach 600 or higher.

Treatment

• Controlling diabetes is the only treatment, there is no cure as of yet for this chronic disease. Using proper diet, exercise, medical care, and prescribed medication it's possible to avoid most of the short and long term problems associated with diabetes. The only way to know if you are in control of your diabetes is to monitor blood sugar levels; this should be done as often as your doctor recommends. Your doctor will specify what is an acceptable range or goal range and probably have you keep a diary. For most diabetics the second concern once sugar levels are under control is not letting them become too low thus making proper monitoring and tracking even more vital. Taking medication alone without making a lifestyle change puts diabetics at higher risk for experiencing spikes and drops throughout the day. This will cause you to feel much worse and suffer symptoms like increased fatigue, loss of memory or ability to focus, blurred vision and dizziness.

Warning

• If untreated or uncontrolled high blood sugar from diabetes can cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, neuropathy, loss of vision and fatty liver. Some people are more susceptible to developing diabetes based on genetic traits these groups include people suffering from obesity, people with a family history of the disease, Hispanics, Native Americans, Afro-Caribbean and Pacific Islanders. Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, increase in appetite, rapid weight loss and fatigue.

Considerations

• Regular blood sugar screenings are recommended after age 50 and regularly for people that fall into the high risk group mentioned above. There are a couple of different processes for screening blood glucose levels. Sometimes prior to taking blood a urine sample will be tested to look for sugar in the urine. It is common for diabetics to have sugar present in there urine because the body is not processing the sugar and it is being excreted as waste. Second to a urine analysis would be a blood draw. The blood tests are normally done after an 8 to 10 hour fast when blood sugar levels should be at there lowest. Another type of test involves having to drink a sugary liquid and then wait a couple hours to have blood drawn, this test shows if your body is capable of processing all of the sugar you just ingested. Your doctor will recommend the tests that are best according to your symptoms, age, and other medical conditions you may have.

Prevention

• Controlling blood sugar requires a commitment. All white sugar and white flour should be replaced with whole wheat and honey. Fiber should be eaten daily. Get educated about the glycemic index, learn which foods have a high index and which have a low, and eat more foods that have a lower index. If possible have a nutritionist as part of your medical providers and locate a doctor in your area that specializes in diabetes. There are support groups, magazines, cookbooks, websites, and nutrition counseling available for diabetics. Diabetes can be a debilitating disease, take control of your blood sugar don't let your blood sugar take control of you!