Blood sugar – Everything you must know!

Blood sugar is a common term used for diabetes. It is a chronic, long-lasting disease that occurs when the sugar level in the blood is too high. It is also called Diabetes mellitus (DM). Medical practitioners call blood sugar a silent killer because it slowly causes many other complications to the body.

How does blood sugar/ diabetes occur?

The foods that you eat break down to glucose (commonly called sugar). This sugar is then released into the blood circulation. As the sugar level fluctuates (as it depends on the food you eat and physical activity), you must ask how its level is maintained?

So, here comes the role of a hormone called insulin. It is released from the pancreas and plays an important role in maintaining the blood glucose level. 

When sugar level increases in your blood, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. This insulin is responsible for letting the blood glucose enter your cells to provide energy.

In diabetic condition (blood sugar/ glucose), either your body cannot make enough insulin or any insulin, or not use the insulin well. It results in the build-up of sugar in the blood, increasing blood sugar levels. Over time, it causes serious health issues in the eyes (like vision loss and retinopathy), nerve damage, heart and kidney diseases, etc.
Since there is no cure for this disease, it is important to regularly check blood glucose levels, as early detection can help effective treatment.

Hyperglycemia vs hypoglycemia

Hyperglycemia, a medical term used when the blood sugar level is too high (fasting blood glucose ≥126 milligrams per deciliter on two separate tests). It occurs when you do not get your treatment well for diabetes. 

Hypoglycemia is a condition of too low sugar (lower than 70 milligrams per deciliter) in the blood. It is sometimes seen in a diabetic person, as the blood sugar level fluctuates all day (due to food intake and physical activity). If you take too much insulin as treatment, it will cause you to have a low blood glucose level. Then your body and brain will not have sufficient glucose to work. This condition leads many other health problems.

So, always ask your doctor if any blood sugar or diabetes medicines can cause low blood sugar. This condition is also sometimes called diabetic hypoglycemia.

Types of diabetes

Three main types:

i) Type 1, previously known as juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes

• It is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
• It most commonly appears in children, teens, and young adults.
• If you have type 1 diabetes, you will be dependent on insulin every day to survive.

ii) Type 2, earlier known as adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes

• It occurs primarily when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, and cells respond to the poor insulin, leading to less glucose utilization.

• Type 2 blood sugar / diabetes can occur in anyone, but most commonly seen in older adults. Nowadays, it is seen that there is an increase in the number of young adults and children having type 2 diabetes due to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

• It can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthy lifestyle changes like maintaining weight, eating healthy food, and being physically more active.

iii) Gestational diabetes ( diabetes during pregnancy) 

• Some women who never had increased blood sugar may develop it during pregnancy. During pregnancy, your body goes through many changes like weight gain, secretion of more hormones, etc. These changes cause body cells to use insulin less effectively. This condition is called insulin resistance. It increases your body’s need for insulin.

• This type of diabetes usually reverses back to normal after the child’s birth. Still, you need to do a regular check on your blood glucose level as it increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.

Prediabetes

It is a condition in which the blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. If you do not change your lifestyle and take healthy steps to reverse it, it raises your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues.

Diabetes symptoms

The 3 big signs and symptoms that are most commonly seen in diabetes (both type1 and type 2) are:

3Ps

• Polydipsia – increased thrust 
• Polyuria – increased urination (pee a lot, frequently at night)
• Polyphagia – extreme hunger/ appetite 

Others:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Urine test with positive ketones (ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there’s not enough available insulin)
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Vision issues 
• Slow-healing wounds and sores
• Frequent infections, such as gums or skin infections and vaginal infections

When to consult a Doctor for blood sugar?

You must see your doctor if you see any signs and symptoms mentioned above and take tests and other necessary steps according to your doctor’s advice. 

Blood sugar/ glucose tests and normal ranges

The following tests are done to detect blood glucose level (type 1, type 2, gestational and prediabetes):

1. HbA1c or A1c test or hemoglobin a1C test

This test measures the average blood sugar level over the past 3 months. 

2. Fasting blood sugar test or fasting plasma glucose (FPG )

In this test, the blood sample is taken in the morning after you have a fast of at least 8 hrs. Nothing is allowed to eat or drink until the test is done except water.

3. Random glucose test

The test can be done when you are diagnosed with some diabetes symptoms and do not want to wait for your fasting blood sugar test. So, you may have this test at any point in time.

The test result with a blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates that you have diabetes.

4. Post-prandial blood sugar (PPBS) test

It is a blood test that determines the level of glucose after meals. After 2 hours of eating food, this test is done, and its normal value differs by age.

Normal value of two-hour postprandial glucose: 

• 0-50 years = < 140 mg/dL 
• 50-60 years = < 150 mg/dL
• 60 years and older = < 160 mg/dL

A person has diabetes if the postprandial glucose at 2 hours is greater than 200 mg/dL.

5. Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)

This test measures the glucose level in your blood before and after you drink a liquid that contains glucose. 

First, the fasting blood sample is drawn, and for this, you need to fast (not eat food) for 8 hrs / overnight before the test. Now 3 consecutive tests are done. First, you have to drink a liquid, and the blood is checked at 1 hour, 2 hours, and maybe after 3 hours.

6. Glucometer

You must have seen a device used to prick the finger and then give a reading of the blood glucose level. This device is called a Glucometer and is used to monitor your blood sugar level regularly.

What level of blood sugar is dangerous?

Blood sugar values above 300 mg/dL can be dangerous. It is recommended that you immediately inform your doctor if two or more 300 mg/dl readings come in the consecutive test. Very high blood sugar levels are severe conditions and may result in coma and death.

The treatment plan for diabetes

If your test result comes in the range of diabetes for type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, talk to your doctor for a detailed treatment plan. It includes both medicinal, self-management, and changes in lifestyle (weight loss, eating healthy food, increase in physical activity) that will lead you to the healthiest side.

Takeaway