All Things You Need to Know About Blood Glucose

Contents:

Medical Video: What is a normal blood sugar level?

For diabetics, you may be familiar with the term blood glucose or better known by ordinary people as blood sugar. Keeping blood glucose to normal levels can help prevent or delay health problems caused by diabetes. Check out other information about blood glucose below.

What causes my blood glucose levels to rise or fall?

Blood sugar levels rise and fall throughout the day. One of the keys to treating your diabetes is to understand the causes of rising and falling blood sugar levels. If you know the reason, you can take steps to keep your blood sugar at a predetermined target.

The most common causes of rising blood sugar include:

  • Food or snacks with more carbohydrate content than usual
  • Lack of active exercise
  • Not regularly taking diabetes medication
  • Side effects from other drugs you are taking
  • Other infections or diseases
  • Changes in hormone levels, such as during the menstrual period
  • Stressful

The most common causes of blood sugar drops include:

  • Spend less time eating or snacks, or eating and snacking and fewer carbohydrates than planned
  • Drink alcohol, especially on an empty stomach
  • Too many diabetes medications
  • Side effects from other drugs you are taking

What is the target of blood glucose for diabetics?

The targets set by the American Diabetes Association are listed in the following list. Talk to your doctor for more information.

  • Before eating: 80 to 130 mg / dL
  • 2 hours after the start of the meal: below 180 mg / dL

What is the best way to record blood glucose levels?

By checking your blood glucose you will tell whether you have reached your blood sugar target. There are 2 ways to do this:

  • Use a blood glucose meter to study your current blood glucose
  • Perform an A1C check at least twice a year

How do you use a blood glucose meter?

You can do a blood sugar check yourself at home. So, you don't need to go back and forth to the doctor to just monitor your blood sugar. However, make sure you consult your doctor first when and how often to check blood sugar at home.

Your doctor can give you a book to record your blood sugar. You can learn how to use these numbers to make food choices, physical activities, and medicine.

The test results will tell you how well your diabetes care plan works. You can see notebooks and see patterns - see the same results continuously. Looking at this pattern can help you and your doctor to determine a diabetes care plan that suits your needs.

How do you do an A1C check?

If your blood sugar check can be done alone at home, for this one check you should do it regularly with your doctor. A1C will show your average blood sugar level for the past 2 to 3 months. Your results will be reported in two ways:

  • A1C in percentage - A1C: below 7%
  • The average glucose estimate (eAG), in the same type as the number of daily blood glucose measurements - eAG: below 154 mg / dL

Ask your doctor to do this test at least twice a year. If the average blood sugar is too high, you may need to change your diabetes care plan.

What if my blood sugar is often too high?

See a doctor right away if the amount of blood sugar is often higher than your target. Talk to your doctor about changes in food lists, physical activity, or diabetes medications.

What if my blood sugar is too low?

Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, occurs when your blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg / dL. Low blood sugar can make you feel hungry, trembling, restless, sweaty, dizzy, drowsy, anxious, or confused.

If you think your blood sugar is too low, use a measuring instrument to check it. If the yield is below 70 mg / dL, follow these instructions to return it to a safe level. Choose one of the carbohydrate list options below (each containing 15 grams of carbohydrates) to directly raise your blood sugar:

  • Glucose tablets
  • ½ cup of fruit juice
  • 1/2 cup ordinary soft drinks (not diet)
  • A glass of milk
  • 5 to 7 pieces of candy
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey

After 15 minutes, check the blood sugar again. If it's still below 70 mg / dL, eat other carbohydrate choices. Repeat this step until the blood sugar is at least 70 mg / dL.

What should I do to overcome low blood sugar that often occurs?

If your blood sugar is often low, you may need changes in your food list, physical activity, or diabetes medication. Note when low blood sugar occurs. Pay attention to possible causes, such as unplanned exercise. Then talk to the doctor.

All Things You Need to Know About Blood Glucose
Rated 4/5 based on 2882 reviews
💖 show ads