What is a Normal Blood Sugar Level?

What is a Normal Blood Sugar Level
What is a Normal Blood Sugar Level

Though in many cases the so called normal range for blood glucose is between 60 and 120 this can vary for any number of reasons and it can be a challenge to ascertain what is a normal blood sugar level is for each individual. Glucose, which is the primary source of energy for the body’s cells, is also quite toxic at high levels and when levels are too low the body shuts down due to lack of energy.

What is a normal blood sugar level can be an extremely tricky animal to track down due to the fact that many different factors, like age, weight, underlying health conditions and even types of food eaten can cause what would be a normal blood glucose level to be wildly incorrect for the next person.

Diabetics live by knowing what is a normal blood sugar level, and keep careful records, often checking blood glucose many times per day with a device called a glucometer. A glucometer is a small device which, with the help of a specially designed test strip, is given a drop of blood. The glucometer then measures the amount of glucose in the blood. The glucometer is an invaluable asset to those suffering from diabetes or any of the associated metabolic disorders as it allows them to track and trend their blood glucose level and maintain as much as possible an acceptable blood glucose level.

If you or someone you know is a diabetic, or simply feels the need to maintain a certain blood glucose level, there are no hard and fast rules as to what is a normal blood sugar level. The only way to be sure what is normal for you is to visit your doctor and get his or her advice on what should be “normal’ for you with consideration to any other conditions that you may have.

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The dangers of low blood glucose levels

low blood glucose level
low blood glucose level

What is the danger of a low blood glucose level? A Low blood glucose level is extremely dangerous. It can cause confusion, dizziness, altered mental status, and even fainting, all of which can lead to serious harm to the person.

Hypoglycemia (as it is called) is the opposite of Diabetes. With diabetes the low blood glucose range is about the same as a normal person average glucose levels, meaning the glucose levels are extremely high (and this is dangerous in the long run). However with hypoglycemia the low blood glucose level is extremely low. This is caused by either lack of food or too much insulin in the body. This can be reversed if food is taken such as simple sugars to boost the body and complex carbohydrates following quickly afterwards.

The average low blood glucose level is 60.8 mg/dl and the high blood glucose level being 104.4 mg/dl. The amounts for a person suffering from hypoglycemia can be as low as 50 mg/dl. At these levels the brain does not get the amount of glucose needed, and this can result in serious damages. At first the person will suffer dizziness and confusion, but as it progresses shaking, altered mental status, and fainting will occur al are very dangerous.

There is several ways to treat a low blood glucose level. The first is going to your doctor (which is always best, especially if you suffer with this often). The second (which your doctor may prescribe) is using a blood glucose meter. A blood glucose meter is a small hand held item that is used to measure the amount of glucose in the blood. The unit uses small plastic strips to measure the amount s in the blood and display the results on the side in seconds. So using this unit is the best way to treat a low blood glucose level.

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What is the best diabetic testing equipment?

diabetic testing equipment
diabetic testing equipment

What is the best diabetic testing equipment? Being diagnosed with diabetes is very scary first experience with all the new life style changes that must be made. But many are for the better. Diabetes is where the pancreas produces too little of the chemical known as insulin.

This chemical is responsible for your body’s energy. It takes the glucose (sugar) in the body’s blood and converts it into usable fuel. When there is too little insulin n the body’s glucose levels rise to dangerous levels. When this happens for extended amounts of time damage is done to the body. Some of the damage that can be done over time includes nerve damage, heart damage and increased risk of heart disease, kidney damage and increased chance of kidney failure, and eventually blindness. All of these can be stopped with the right diabetic testing equipment.

There are some main components that are must for any diabetic. Must haves when it comes to diabetic testing equipment include: diabetic testing strips, blood glucose testing equipment, lancet and a normal blood sugar chart. Diabetic test strips are small plastic strips that take the sample of blood that is given by the lancet. The strips send the information to the diabetic testing machine to be displayed. The lancet is a small pen like object that is used to draw blood from the skin, generally the fingers by stabbing them with a small needle.

The diabetic glucose machine is a small handheld unit that measure the blood and displays its finding on a small screen for easy usability (knowing how to properly use it is vitally important). Brands include one touch and other diabetic testing equipment suppliers. A normal blood glucose level chart is highly advised so that you can record all tests that you do and what you did previous in order to help with controlling blood sugar levels. The best diabetic testing equipment is the testing equipment that fits the individuals lifestyle best.

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The importance of keeping a normal glucose level chart.

 

normal glucose level chart
normal glucose level chart

Using a normal glucose level chart is needed for those who have diabetes. This is to measure the changes in your glucose readings, which is very useful for showing your doctor how change in your life have improved or hurt your blood glucose amounts. The actual amounts should be dated, time stamped, and any other information on how you were at that time should be noted to better help your doctor monitor you.

A normal blood glucose level chart needs to be in a line graph form with the date on the bottom and the amounts of the glucose on the side. So that you can measure and watch how you have changed over the time and to do your best to keep blood sugar levels the same. If you suffer from hypoglycemia, a hypoglycemia chart is needed to measure the lows of your blood glucose levels. The idea of monitoring your body can also be used in keeping a normal cholesterol chart. In which you can monitor the changes in your cholesterol for better or worse. This can be used to know what causes your cholesterol to change, wither stress or over eating. Abnormal glucose level chart can be used for noting what days cause abnormal changes.

Though it can be annoying to have to write this down each day it can be a nice habit to add. Plus it can be very helpful if to know if anything happens and your doctor can easily see the events leading up to the issue. See if your doctor may want you to begin using a normal glucose level chart to add to treating your diabetes, or if your doctor wants you to measure your cholesterol in a chart and keep a record of it.

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The Average Blood Glucose Level

average blood glucose level
average blood glucose level

Not long ago very few people ever had any concerns as to the average blood glucose level. In those days people rose early, drank coffee, ate eggs, biscuits, gravy, home fries, and any other high calorie, high cholesterol thing they could find, then went off to work with nary a though.

Those same people worked hard all day, smoked cigarettes by the pack, drank heavily and usually lived to the ripe old age of fifty or sixty before dying of heart disease, stroke, cancer, or diabetic complications. In modern times most people are a little more health conscious that their ancestors, and when you couple this with modern medicine this has led to an increase in life span and quality of life.

These days’ death and disability from heart disease, stroke, and cancer are on the decline, yet the number of people diagnosed with diabetes continues to climb each year. The average blood glucose level is becoming a chief concern of a growing number of people.

The average blood glucose level of a normal, healthy person is generally between 60 and 110. This isn’t a hard and fast rule however, as the average blood glucose level for the individual can vary according to age, weight, and other existing health problems, as well as time since the last meal was eaten. If you have a family history of diabetes and you start to experience increased thirst, increased appetite, and increased urination it may be time to be concerned with your average blood glucose level. If you experience these symptoms it is time to go see your doctor for a glucose tolerance test. Your doctor can tell you exactly what your average blood glucose level should be, and if you are diagnosed with diabetes your doctor can put you on track to knowing how to maintain your average blood glucose level.

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