Checking Blood Sugar Levels

If you are a diabetic then checking blood sugar levels is a vital part of your daily regimen. It is important regardless of which form of diabetes you may have but especially so if you are suffering from Type 1 diabetes. This is because in Type 1 diabetes you need to furnish the correct amount of insulin yourself as the body is no longer capable of performing this function.

Glucose is our body’s main fuel supply. However, if there is too much or not enough glucose in your blood it can have a negative impact on the body. This is why it is so important for a diabetic to monitor blood sugar levels.

Symptoms of High Blood Sugar

If a test reveals there is too much sugar in the blood you can develop hyperglycemia. In someone without diabetes, the hormone insulin helps maintain normal blood sugar levels. However, diabetics aren’t that lucky so having too much or not enough sugar can spell trouble because their bodies stopped producing insulin, stopped producing enough of it or their body can no longer properly utilize the insulin that is being made.

The symptoms that often accompany hyperglycemia are increased urination and thirst along with fatigue and blurred vision, but only when the glucose level is very high (over 200 mg/dL). Typically, you can treat high sugar levels by yourself through proper eating, exercise or medication.

If hyperglycemia goes untreated it can lead to severe complications like nerve and kidney damage and cardiovascular disease. If left untreated for an extended amount of time it can result in hypersmolar syndrome, diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic coma and death.

Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar

Some symptoms are hunger, vision problems, confusion, heart palpitations and tremors. It is very important to treat hypoglycemia early on because if it is not treated it can cause seizures, unconsciousness or death.

Hypoglycemia can occur when your body has too little blood sugar. This can happen if:
  • The sugar in your blood is absorbed too quickly – this may occur if you are not eating enough or you have increased your physical activity without eating more food.
  • The bloodstream contains excess insulin – this could happen if you have taken an excessive amount of diabetes medication or insulin.
  • Too much alcohol – heavy drinking and not eating can interfere with the release of stored glucose from your liver.

Testing Blood Sugar Levels
Diabetic testing kits to help you check your sugar levels are readily available and come with a lancet, test strips and a glucose meter. The lancet is used to prick the skin and draw blood which is then applied to the test strip which is read by the glucose meter. The meter will then display your blood sugar level, so if your count is high or low you can take the necessary steps to bring it closer to the normal range.

After you have been diagnosed with diabetes you doctor should instruct you on how to monitor your blood sugar. This is a very important step in helping you to understand how to check your blood sugar levels and what the readings mean.

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