Blood glucose or blood sugar is the main energy source the body uses to do all basic functions and vital processes.
Glucose levels in the blood must stay normal within certain numbers because any rise or drop leads to some health problems.
In this article, we will go into detail about blood glucose, its normal levels, causes of high or low levels, and how to manage it.
What is blood glucose or blood sugar?
Blood glucose is the main source for getting energy for living things, including humans. Anything eaten is turned into simple sugar known as glucose, including other forms like fructose, lactose, sucrose, and starch.
Besides that, the body breaks down fats and proteins after they enter it and turns them into glucose. This process is called Gluconeogenesis.
Gluconeogenesis is the way the body breaks down everything eaten and turns it into energy it uses for different functions.
How does glucose work inside the body?
Once everything eaten is turned into glucose, this glucose flows in the bloodstream. Blood carries it to all body tissues, and extra amounts are stored in specific places like the liver and muscles.
Glucose feeds all body tissues so they can do their jobs. The body needs certain glucose levels in the blood all the time, because some parts are very sensitive to changes in blood glucose, like the brain.
Low blood glucose can quickly affect how someone acts, thinks, and performs.
How are blood glucose levels regulated?
The pancreas releases two main hormones to manage blood glucose levels: Glucagon and Insulin.
Glucagon hormone regulates blood glucose levels during fasting or when there is no food intake. It helps turn stored glycogen in the liver and other tissues into glucose and releases it into the bloodstream.
Glucagon also stops the liver from storing glucose when the body needs it. Instead, it releases glucose into the blood and breaks down stored body fat, which can be converted into glucose.
On the other hand, insulin hormone helps regulate blood glucose in real time for use. It helps glucose enter cells to be used as energy.
Without insulin, glucose can't enter cells. So it stays flowing in the blood, which can lead to a buildup of too much glucose without reaching the cells that need it for vital functions.
What are normal blood glucose levels?
Here are blood glucose levels when fasting, meaning no food intake, They are as follows:-
-
Normal fasting blood glucose levels range between 70-100 mg/dL.
-
If fasting blood glucose is between 100-125 mg/dL, this is considered a pre-diabetes state. You can lower glucose levels just by changing your diet and lifestyle.
-
When fasting blood glucose goes above 126 mg/dL confirmed by two or more separate tests, diabetes is likely diagnosed. This might need oral meds or injections plus diet and lifestyle changes.
When can blood glucose cause problems for the body?
High or low blood glucose levels can cause some body problems, which might be mild and go away by changing diet, or become chronic like diabetes. These problems include the following:-
1. Low blood glucose Hypoglycemia
Low blood glucose is a condition that can develop when blood glucose levels drop a lot, There are several causes for this, which include:-
- Not eating enough food.
- Taking some medications.
- Doing physical activity way more than usual.
There are some symptoms that show up on the body when blood sugar is low, which include:-
- Shaking.
- Sweating.
- Irritability.
- Dizziness.
- Confusion.
- Irritability and excitement.
2. High blood glucose Hyperglycemia
When the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, or if there's insulin resistance, the body can get hyperglycemia or high blood sugar.
Also, high blood glucose can happen when you consume large amounts of sugar at once, Some causes of high blood glucose include:-
- Severe dehydration.
- A sedentary lifestyle.
- Eating too many carbs and sugars.
- Some medicines, like steroids.
- Stress exposure.
- Certain diseases.
There are some symptoms that show up on the body when blood glucose is high, which include:-
- Increased thirst.
- Frequent urination.
- Feeling tired.
- Blurred vision.
- Mood swings and irritability.
3. Diabetes
Imbalance in blood glucose levels can cause many diseases, but diabetes is the most common, affecting about 8.8% of people worldwide.
Diabetes can be classified into two types as follows:
A- Type 1 diabetesType 1 diabetes is often diagnosed early in life. It's an autoimmune disorder where the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin.
B- Type 2 diabetesType 2 diabetes develops later in life because of lifestyle choices and diet.
This type of diabetes usually happens when insulin hormone becomes less effective at moving glucose into cells, leading to a buildup in the bloodstream.
High glucose levels in the blood can damage nerves, kidneys, and other organs. Glucose can’t enter cells well, causing a failure in vital processes.
Different lifestyles can affect blood glucose levels, so it’s important to follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly to keep glucose within normal ranges.
Article source:- 1.
