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.
Glucose is made from the broken down sugar and starch components of the food we eat. Food rich in carbohydrates, protein, and fats are the primary sources of glucose. After glucose is made, it is directly absorbed in the bloodstream from the intestines. From the blood, it is pushed into the body cells providing them with energy that is necessary to carry out their specific tasks. Glucose is pushed into the cells by insulin which is a hormone produced by the pancreas. Blood sugar levels that range between 70 and 120 mg/dl are considered by experts as normal blood glucose levels.
To measure levels of blood sugar, the easiest and most accurate way is the use of tools called blood sugar meters. To use these tools, blood is taken usually from the fingertip by shooting a small lancet into the skin. The drop of blood taken from the patient is then placed in a special coated strip. The strip, in turn, is then placed in the blood sugar tester where blood sugar levels will be calculated. Results are generated from the electronic impulses that the tester receives from the reaction of the blood from the chemicals on the strip. Readings are then displayed usually on a digital screen integrated on the meter.
Using blood sugar meters, there are various tests available to check for glucose levels. These are 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 refers to blood glucose tests done after a fast-hence, blood sugar is not impacted by eating and drinking-which typically is 8 hours long. The "2 hour postprandial" blood glucose test, on the other hand, is performed two hours after eating while random blood glucose testing is performed at random hours throughout the day and is performed regardless of food consumption, activity, exercise or sleep. Finally is the glucose tolerance test which aims to see the blood's reaction immediately after a high amount of sugar is consumed and released in to the blood. It is performed by having the patient drink a liquid that is mostly made up of glucose.
So what happens if your blood sugar meter reads extremely high or low levels of blood sugar? Low blood sugar levels often result in the condition called hypoglycemia. This condition often results from consumption of too little or insufficient amounts of food, too much exercise, and/or consumption of medicines not matching one's needs. People suffering from this condition often feel sweaty, dizzy, hungry, and shaky. On the other hand, hyperglycemia occurs when the blood glucose levels in the body are higher than normal. A high blood sugar level is also the defining characteristic of diabetes. Fatigue, inability to concentrate, and blurred vision are often the short-term complications of high blood sugar but long term consequences include heart and kidney disease, nerve and blood vessel damages, blindness, and gum diseases.
Our daily lives may be affected with the various conditions that may result from varying levels of blood sugar. Hence, keeping a blood sugar meter at hand is especially necessary in monitoring blood glucose levels and maintaining a balanced, healthy life.
Glucose is made from the broken down sugar and starch components of the food we eat. Food rich in carbohydrates, protein, and fats are the primary sources of glucose. After glucose is made, it is directly absorbed in the bloodstream from the intestines. From the blood, it is pushed into the body cells providing them with energy that is necessary to carry out their specific tasks. Glucose is pushed into the cells by insulin which is a hormone produced by the pancreas. Blood sugar levels that range between 70 and 120 mg/dl are considered by experts as normal blood glucose levels.
To measure levels of blood sugar, the easiest and most accurate way is the use of tools called blood sugar meters. To use these tools, blood is taken usually from the fingertip by shooting a small lancet into the skin. The drop of blood taken from the patient is then placed in a special coated strip. The strip, in turn, is then placed in the blood sugar tester where blood sugar levels will be calculated. Results are generated from the electronic impulses that the tester receives from the reaction of the blood from the chemicals on the strip. Readings are then displayed usually on a digital screen integrated on the meter.
Using blood sugar meters, there are various tests available to check for glucose levels. These are 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 refers to blood glucose tests done after a fast-hence, blood sugar is not impacted by eating and drinking-which typically is 8 hours long. The "2 hour postprandial" blood glucose test, on the other hand, is performed two hours after eating while random blood glucose testing is performed at random hours throughout the day and is performed regardless of food consumption, activity, exercise or sleep. Finally is the glucose tolerance test which aims to see the blood's reaction immediately after a high amount of sugar is consumed and released in to the blood. It is performed by having the patient drink a liquid that is mostly made up of glucose.
So what happens if your blood sugar meter reads extremely high or low levels of blood sugar? Low blood sugar levels often result in the condition called hypoglycemia. This condition often results from consumption of too little or insufficient amounts of food, too much exercise, and/or consumption of medicines not matching one's needs. People suffering from this condition often feel sweaty, dizzy, hungry, and shaky. On the other hand, hyperglycemia occurs when the blood glucose levels in the body are higher than normal. A high blood sugar level is also the defining characteristic of diabetes. Fatigue, inability to concentrate, and blurred vision are often the short-term complications of high blood sugar but long term consequences include heart and kidney disease, nerve and blood vessel damages, blindness, and gum diseases.
Our daily lives may be affected with the various conditions that may result from varying levels of blood sugar. Hence, keeping a blood sugar meter at hand is especially necessary in monitoring blood glucose levels and maintaining a balanced, healthy life.
About the Author:
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.