How to Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels: A Guide

Ensuring the normal range of sugar levels is imperative for all individuals. No matter what your age is, keeping the sugar level in your target range will help individuals maintain a healthy lifestyle, and protect them from serious health problems such as heart disease, kidney problems, or vision loss. To keep the sugar level normal, it is important to know what is an ideal sugar level range. Isn't it? So, let's get to know it first!

Also Read: What is Normal Glucose Levels For Adults - You Should Know

What is the Normal Blood Sugar Range?

A normal healthy person has a blood sugar level range between 90-110 mg/dL. To understand this better, one can check what blood sugar levels are seen throughout the day.

• Fasting - It's common for people's blood sugar to be approximately 80-100 mg/dL before breakfast
• Post meals - A post-meal blood sugar level of 150 mg/dL might indicate a problem, depending on the individual. The effectiveness of the metabolism, weight, and food they just ate can cause the spike.
• Random - A good indicator of a healthy individual is their average blood sugar level. It can be seen as normal when it falls within 90-130 mg/dL and should not require healthcare attention with non-diabetic people.

However, there is no specific normal range for sugar level for people with diabetes because various factors can affect it daily. It's important to maintain a level of normalcy because glucose needs to function in every individual properly. People with a sugar level of more than 130 mg/dL will have to struggle hard and ensure that their blood sugar levels stay within these limits for as much as possible. High glucose in the body can lead to increased blood sugar levels which may affect HbA1c levels.

How does Blood Sugar Affect Individuals?

Those who eat heavier meals with higher carbs can spike their blood sugar level and cause some issues. Hyperglycemia can be a serious condition, and sometimes it can lead to damaging, life-threatening consequences like stroke, heart disease, or kidney problems. Blood glucose levels are too difficult to measure on their own, and staying within the natural ranges can be an endless struggle. Many people don't know what their normal blood sugar level is. As they're not sure what range is ideal for their body, how quickly it should spike, how long it should stay at a given level before moving on to another, or how often it should get checked. The primary reason that blood sugar is affected is when the blood sugar level in a person becomes too high or low, due to which diseases like diabetes can arise. Type 2 diabetes means the body produces too much glucose every day. To regulate blood sugar levels and ensure to stay healthy, it's important to get tested regularly and monitor them through medication or diet changes. Doctors recommend regular testing of blood sugar levels for all patients. People with diabetes may carry glucometers around for emergencies. They can also check their sugar levels if they are experiencing symptoms of high or low blood sugar levels.

Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar Level

Diabetic patients can experience some acute symptoms with low blood sugar, including losing consciousness or going into shock. Signs may vary, but some of the most common ones everyone should watch out for are:

• Dizziness
• Shaking/trembling of hands and feet
• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Palpitations and difficulty breathing
• Tingling lips

The body will process minimal sugar if the diet is unplanned or irregular. So, always ensure to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet and check the amounts of sugar consumed daily.

Symptoms of High Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetes can be a scourge on the life of someone suffering from it. This is why taking a routine checkup and consistent care of your health is important. DKA or Diabetic ketoacidosis is an acute complication that can occur with diabetes. It can lead to dangerous blood sugar levels, causing confusion, irregular breathing patterns, or even death. As with diabetes and hypertension, other chronic diseases like heart, liver, or kidney disease are common. Some symptoms to check for are:

• Parched throat
• Headaches
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Anxiety
• Extreme thirst and hunger

If the blood glucose levels are above 250-300mg/dL, an immediate dose of insulin will bring them back to normal.

Normal Blood Sugar Level Chart by Age

Here is the normal blood sugar level chart:

 This chart will help you understand the blood sugar levels chart by age 40.

What is the High Random Blood Sugar Range?

Several things contribute to the set levels of sugar in diabetes. High blood sugar levels can also cause problems if not managed properly. This measurement may result in any value above 150mg/dL which is considered high. When the sugar levels start to increase, and the readings are showing in the 160s or higher, one may need to take action sooner than later. It is important to find out why the glucose levels are elevated. If one is experiencing stress, getting sugar levels checked and balanced by consulting a physician can be the best suggestion. The normal for a random reading would be between 90-150 mg/dL.

Things to consider while maintaining High Blood sugar levels

Normalizing your sugar levels prevents long-term or serious health problems. Ensuring glucose levels are checked can be done in several ways, but maintaining this balance can be challenging. Following these daily can help to keep a check on glucose levels:

• Eating healthy
• Incorporating a diet plan
• Sick days seem to be a misery, but taking timely meals can help remain fit and keep sugar levels under control
• It's important to exercise regularly if one wants to establish good metabolic health.
• Do not skip medicines or insulin and visit the endocrinologist or a physician timely if you are a diabetic.

Wrapping Up

Diabetes is a permanent life-long condition. Knowing when to visit an endocrinologist can help diabetic or high sugar level patients by developing treatment, prescribing medications, and diet for them. Keep a check on the symptoms like frequent urination, continuous blurred vision, frequent lows, etc. Visit your physician or another health professional after your HbA1C test every 3 months to avoid these situations occurring if one is facing a spike in sugar levels