Glucose can easily be obtained from the food that we consume every day. It is slightly higher in sweeter food. This glucose enters the body’s bloodstream and is known as blood sugar.
However, when the body’s insulin production is hampered, the glucose level in the bloodstream varies. Alteration in the blood sugar level can be normally seen after consuming food, as there is a sudden intake of large quantities of glucose. If the level is always higher than the normal blood sugar range, you might have diabetes.
Glucose is the prime source of energy for the body to function correctly. The pancreas produces a hormone known as insulin, which is responsible for the breakdown of glucose. It helps to convert glucose to ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), a smaller molecule. The cells of the body can only use ATP to gain energy.
In simpler words, without the presence of insulin, glucose cannot be broken down and converted to ATP. This means that the body’s cells will not be able to receive energy. Thus, it is important to maintain a blood sugar normal range.
What is the Blood Sugar Normal Range?
The level of blood sugar can easily be determined with the help of a simple blood test. Depending on the time the test is conducted, and its duration from the last meal consumed, they are of a few types-
- Fasting blood sugar test – This test is conducted with a gap of at least eight hours after the last meal. It is generally done in the morning on an empty stomach. The blood sugar normal range for this test is 99 mg/dL.
- Glucose tolerance test – This test is conducted in a series. After the first test, the patient is asked to consume glucose water. Then three simultaneous tests are conducted hourly. The blood sugar normal range after two hours of consumption of glucose water is 140 mg/dL or lower than that.
- Random blood sugar test- This test can be conducted at any time. The sugar level must be below 200 mg/dL to rule out diabetes.
What is Diabetes Mellitus?
In general, there are two types of diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes is also known as Diabetes Insipidus. This type of diabetes is generally acquired at birth.
- Type 2 diabetes is also known as Diabetes Mellitus. It is a chronic condition that an individual faces throughout his lifetime.
There is also a third type of diabetes which only happens to women during pregnancy. This is known as gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes generally is a self-curing type of diabetes, where the blood sugar returns to normal after the gestation period.
Management of Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus is a condition generally occurring due to an individual’s faulty lifestyle. Diabetes Mellitus can easily be diagnosed with the help of a blood sugar test. Here are the steps for management of diabetes mellitus
1) Follow a Proper Diet Plan
Since the body is not able to convert the incoming glucose, there is always an excess amount of blood sugar. This can result in various complications. Thus, eating healthy and cautiously is the first step that anyone diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus must take.
The key to a proper diet plan is not only to focus on what is being consumed but also on portion size. You should consume smaller and more frequent meals rather than eating in large quantities at one time.
The second important step is to always keep in mind what you eat. It is important to calculate the number of carbohydrates you consume. Depending on the level of your blood sugar level, you must reduce or eliminate the intake of sweets or sugar.
Every meal must be a balanced meal. It should contain a good amount of proteins, fats, and the food amount of fruits and vegetables. A balanced diet will help closely check your blood sugar and improve your overall health.
Sweet beverages such as juices, carbonated drinks, and sodas are definitely not for you. These beverages have almost no amount of nutrition in them and are extremely high in terms of calories.
2) Medications
Medications are an important part of balancing your blood sugar normal range In cases of dangerous blood sugar levels, injectables are preferred instead of tablets. Medications must be consumed or taken on a definite schedule. Therefore, it is extremely important to take them on time every day. Moreover, it is also important to ensure whether the tablets are to be consumed before or after meals.
3) Regular exercise
Maintaining healthy body health improves the overall physique of a person. At the same time, maintaining body weight and BMI are important factors when it comes to the maintenance of blood sugar levels. Therefore, you can regularly engage in moderate to heavy exercises, such as aerobics, Zumba swimming, and muscle strengthening.
4) Maintaining a Record
Lastly, it is important to have a journal or a diary where you regularly pen down your blood sugar levels simultaneously on different days. Having a proper schedule can take a long way in managing Diabetes Mellitus.
Footnote
Early care and prevention can help in the maintenance of the glucose in the body. Regular exercise eating healthy, and quitting bad habits will help keep the blood sugar in a normal range. If you exhibit the symptoms of diabetes, such as fatigue, dizziness, and frequent episodes of painting, make sure to visit your healthcare practitioner as soon as possible.
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