Blood Sugar

Blood sugar

Blood glucose, often known as blood sugar, is essential for providing your body with energy. It powers all of your activities, including working, playing, thinking, and working out. On the other hand, too high or low blood sugar levels might lead to health issues. It is essential to good health to comprehend how something functions and why it matters.

We have included all the information you require regarding blood sugar in our blood sugar hub. We will go over blood sugar definitions, blood sugar testing, blood sugar optimization, and the significance of blood sugar for your general health. We will also talk about conditions such as: Pre-Diabetes Diabetes Low glucose levels (hypoglycemia) Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)

Blood sugar control is important even for non-diabetics and is related to the risk of heart disease, cancer and dementia.
Many factors affect blood sugar levels including diet, exercise, stress, sleep and medications.
A normal fasting blood sugar level is between 3.9 – 5.6mmol/L (70 – 100 mg/dl).
You can measure your blood sugar level with a continuous glucose monitor, HbA1c test, a finger-prick test and a venous blood draw.

What Is the Normal Range for Blood Sugar?

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Normal blood sugar v. high blood sugar

By the age of 35, it is advised that everyone be checked for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes using a blood glucose test. People who have symptoms or risk factors for diabetes, have a family history of the disease, or come from a certain ethnic background might need to get evaluated sooner. Following a blood test in which the patient fasted for the whole night, normal blood sugar would be 99 mg/dL or below. An unhealthy blood sugar level is 100 mg/dL or above. Prediabetes is defined as blood sugar levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL, and type 2 diabetes is defined as blood sugar levels of 126 mg/dL or above. For a diagnosis to be made, at least two abnormal blood sugar test results are required.

Another useful metric for diagnosing prediabetes and diabetes is hemoglobin A1C,

which measures blood glucose levels over a three-month period.

Over time, high blood sugar can be quite harmful.

This is mostly because it harms our neurons and blood vessels and raises the possibility of infection. Persistently elevated blood sugar levels can impair vision and cause peripheral neuropathy,

a condition in which damaged nerves cause loss of feeling in the hands and/or feet. Peripheral vascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes can all be made more likely by damaged blood arteries.

Lifestyle affect the way you metabolise glucose

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Exercise maintains a healthy metabolism.

Your muscles benefit from exercise in a number of ways, including improved glucose metabolism3. It increases muscle sensitivity to insulin, which facilitates more bloodstream glucose absorption.

It also stimulates “insulinindependent” absorption, which is the process by which more glucose is absorbed from the bloodstream without the need for insulin. In order to use up more glucose immediately rather than storing it for later, exercise increases the muscles’ immediate energy needs. By encouraging your mitochondria to burn fat, low-intensity exercise helps to prevent muscle fat from building up. Over time, your muscles will require more energy and be able to store more glycogen as you grow them in size. By effectively making your muscles larger “sinks” for blood glucose, you may manage blood glucose levels and reduce the amount of fat that is converted. Stress can cause blood sugar levels to rise and increase fat storage.

One of the primary stress chemicals is cortisol.

You have undoubtedly heard that your body will produce more cortisol when you are feeling stressed out, working under a lot of pressure, or experiencing any other difficult-to-manage stress. One kind of steroid is cortisol, and regrettably, too much of it will probably result in more visceral fat that is difficult to lose rather than a bodybuilder physique. This is partially due to the fact that cortisol stimulates gluconeogenesis4. This hinders the body from breaking down fat and boosts blood glucose levels, which in turn raise insulin levels.

Understanding medication options

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A person with type 1 diabetes has insufficient insulin production in their body. This implies that you must take insulin daily. Insulin can be administered via injections, insulin pens, or insulin pumps, and it comes in a range of forms, from long-acting to rapid-acting. Because your body is unable to use insulin efficiently when you have type 2 diabetes, you will need to take non-insulin drugs to control your blood sugar levels by altering other bodily processes. The following list includes some popular non-insulin diabetes drugs along with some brand names: Metabolic acid (glucophage) agonists of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor (Ozempic, Trulicity, Byetta) two agonists for the GLP-1/gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) receptor (Mounjaro) Nesina, Tradjenta, Onglyza, and Januvia are inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4). Inhibitors of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) (Brenzavvy, Invokana, etc.) Actos and Avantia are examples of thiazolidinediones (TZDs). Amaryl, glucotrol, and micronase are examples of sulfonylureas.Your doctor may recommend uncommon drugs like the following to be taken in addition to your regular medicines, depending on your specific needs for managing your diabetes: meglintinides, such as Prandin and Starlix Dopamine-2 agonists (Cyclosest), bile acid sequestrants (Welchol), and alpha glucosidase inhibitors (Precose, Glyset)

Mental health and diabetes

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Diabetes is a chronic illness that needs ongoing care. It’s normal to experience anxiety after being diagnosed and occasionally during the course of treatment.

After being diagnosed with diabetes, psychological distress is frequent. A lot of people encounter:

shock
denial
anger
guilt
anxiety
frustration
fear about treatments
depression

Tips to avoid Diabetes complications

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Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus, describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar),
either because insulin production is inadequate or because the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both.

Diabetes brings many complications to the patients. Below is a list of tips that can be practiced to avoid the complications of diabetes.

Choose carbs carefully: Diabetes does not mean you have to cut carbs completely. Choose carbohydrates that break down in the body slowly, providing steady energy. Reach for whole grains, beans, nuts, fresh vegetables and fruits. Yes, you can eat fruit even though it is sweet. It is about eating the right amounts of carbohydrates at each meal. A registered dietitian can help you learn how much is right for you.

Lose weight if you need to: Start small. If you are overweight, shedding just a few pounds can improve the body’s ability to use insulin. It will help lower your blood sugar and improve your blood pressure and blood fats. You will also have more energy. Aim to burn more calories than you eat.

Get enough sleep: Getting too much or too little sleep can increase your appetite and cravings for high-carb foods. That can lead to weight gain, increasing your risk for complications such as heart disease. So shoot for seven or eight hours of sleep a night.

Be active: Pick something you like — walking, dancing, biking or just marching in place while you are on the phone. Do it a half-hour a day. Exercise can help you lower your cardiovascular risks, cholesterol and blood pressure levels and keep your weight down. It also relieves stress and may help you cut back on diabetes medication.

Monitor your blood sugar daily: Checking your blood glucose levels can help you avoid diabetes complications, like nerve pain or keep them from getting worse. Checking it can also help you see how foods and activities affect you and if your treatment plan is working.

Manage stress: When you have diabetes, stress can cause your blood glucose levels to rise. Get rid of whatever physical or mental stresses you can. Learn coping techniques to deal with others. Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga and meditation may be especially effective if you have type 2 diabetes.

Say no to salt: Reduce the salt in your diet. It may help lower blood pressure and protect your kidneys. Not salting the food on your plate may not be enough. Avoid convenience foods and use fresh ingredients when you can. Season with herbs and spices instead of salt when you cook.

Everything You Need to Know About Glucose

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How is glucose processed by the body?

Ideally, your body uses glucose several times during the day. Your body begins processing glucose and other carbohydrates as soon as you eat. Then, with the pancreas’ assistance, enzymes start to break them down. The way your body metabolizes glucose is significantly influenced by the pancreas. The pancreas releases the hormone insulin in response to elevated blood glucose levels. By allowing glucose to enter your cells, this controls the rising blood sugar level. After that, glucose is either used as fuel by muscle, fat, and other cells, or it is stored as fat for later use. Diabetes may occur if your pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin. In this situation, you could require medical care to aid in the processing and regulation of glucose in

5 Tips to Sleep Better with Type 2 Diabetes

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1. Pay attention to blood sugar regulation

Effective blood sugar management may enhance your quality of sleep each night. Williams advises concentrating on lower-glycemic foods to prevent blood sugar swings that might cause restless nights. For instance, instead of a sweet cookie, you can choose for a high-protein snack like nuts. Steer clear of low blood sugar at night. You might be able to identify any instances of midnight lows with the aid of a continuous glucose monitor.

2. Steer clear of caffeinated drinks after dark.

Caffeinated beverages, coffee, black tea, and even chocolate might disrupt your sleep. Limit your caffeine intake during the day and aim to cut it out several hours before bed for a better night’s sleep.

3. Engage in consistent physical exercise

You can enhance the quality of your sleep by exercising most days of the week. According to Williams, exercise helps people better control their blood sugar levels. Additionally, regular exercise can enhance mood, which reduces stress and promotes better sleep. Five days a week, try to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise.

4. Try to maintain a healthy weight.

If you are overweight, set weight loss and management goals with your physician. According to Williams, reducing your body weight by 10% can improve blood sugar regulation and lower your risk of developing depression and sleep apnea.

5. Boost your protein intake

Hegazi advises emphasizing high-quality protein sources such as fish, eggs, and poultry. You can better control your blood sugar levels by eating protein throughout the day.

Prevention of Diabetic Kidney Disease

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If you have diabetes, controlling your blood sugar and treating related diseases including high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels are the best ways to avoid developing chronic kidney disease. Effective management of these illnesses frequently entails taking medicine under your doctor’s supervision. A healthy weight, quitting smoking, and getting regular exercise are all examples of lifestyle modifications that can help lower your chance of developing chronic kidney disease.

Discuss your objectives and ways to reduce your chance of developing chronic renal disease with your physician. Improving results can be greatly aided by early diagnosis and treatment of chronic renal disease.It is advised that individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes have yearly testing for chronic renal disease. Early detection of advanced renal disease makes it easier to stop its progression.

Diabetes Prevention

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Many medical professionals think that changing one’s lifestyle can help avoid Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.

Healthy lifestyle choices can cut the risk of Type 2 diabetes in half, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here’s how:

Healthy diet: Drink lots of water and eat a well-balanced diet rich in veggies, whole grains, and lean meats.

Frequent physical activity: Try to get in at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise.

Keep your weight in check: Try to maintain a healthy weight. Even a little weight loss can lower your risk if you are overweight. Steer clear of alcohol and tobacco: Steer clear of or use these substances sparingly.