Posted by 
In this post, we
are going to explain what abnormal blood sugar levels are, the symptoms,
causes, and much more!
Most people go
about their daily lives eating foods they enjoy while performing their normal
daily functions.
However, if you
start feeling sluggish, constantly thirsty, and lose an unusual amount of
weight despite not being on a diet, this could be a sign of a serious
problem.
In most cases, it
could be a sign of diabetes and abnormal blood sugar levels. The traditional
test of pricking your finger with a needle called a lancet and determining your
blood sugar level reading with an electronic meter is the best way to find out
if you are diabetic.
Most people’s
blood glucose levels should be between 80 and 110 milligrams per deciliter.
Diabetes and
abnormal blood sugar levels become an issue when the blood glucose level
exceeds 200 milligrams per deciliter or higher.
A Type 1
diabetic pancreas produces little to no insulin, resulting in a lifetime of
insulin dependency. When the body does not produce enough insulin to burn off
the food consumed, the blood glucose level rises.
Type 2 diabetics
typically have higher blood sugar levels due to weight gain later in life, a poor
diet, and limited exercise.
Read: Ways To Boost Your Metabolism After Age 50
A blood glucose
level of 126 milligrams per deciliter is the first sign of potential diabetes
and abnormal blood sugar levels.
Most doctors will
monitor you and work with you to reduce it in order to offset potential diabetic
problems. The majority of Type 1 diabetics are diagnosed from childhood to
early adulthood.
It is the most
difficult to treat, but with proper healthy eating and exercise, it is
manageable.
Type 2 diabetics
can usually reduce their risk by completely changing their lifestyle, and they
can be free of the disease by simply changing their diet, taking mild insulin
pills, and becoming more active.
All of these
factors can reduce the likelihood of elevated blood sugar levels and lead a
productive life.
What
Causes Your Abnormal Blood Sugar Levels?
The main reasons
your blood sugar level may be abnormal are:
- Consuming more
food than usual… in terms of quantity, food combination, and extra
carbohydrates - How much
physical activity do you do… less than usual or exercising when your blood
sugar levels are higher than 270 mg/dl (15 mmol/l) - Your
medications, such as cortisone or thiazide diuretics. Many common medications
used to treat high blood pressure will also cause an increase in your blood
glucose level. - The medications
you didn’t take… you may have forgotten to take your anti-diabetic
medications, or your insulin dose was too low. - Illness or
infection.
When your levels
are above your target range, consider what foods you have eaten or have not
eaten.
Have you skipped
your usual post-meal walk? Do you have stress or illness? All of these will
raise your blood sugar level.
Read: Metabolic Detox Powder
When your blood
glucose levels are abnormal, you may:
- Feel thirsty
- Urinate more
often - Feel really tired
- Have blurred
vision - Have a dry and
itchy skin - Have more
infections
Symptoms
Of Abnormal Blood Sugar Levels
The symptoms of
high blood sugar levels are difficult to identify. The main reason for this is
that most of these symptoms are common in many people, regardless of whether they
have a higher risk factor for diabetes or any other disease that results in
abnormal blood sugar levels.
Whatever the
case, understanding elevated blood glucose levels is critical for everyone to
understand because it is the key to avoiding many complications.
Ignorance can
sometimes be dangerous to one’s life. The symptoms of high blood glucose levels
are classified as severe, mild, or moderate.
Read: The Tibetan Yogas Of Dream And Sleep PDF
Symptoms
of Abnormal Blood Sugar Levels – Mild Ones
- Frequent
urination - Itchy skin and
dry skin - Frequent
thirsting
Symptoms
of Abnormal Blood Sugar Levels – Moderate Ones
- Vision blurriness
- Urine
discoloration occurs when urine turns a dark yellow color. - Urge to urinate
frequently with a smaller amount of urine at one time - Feelings of
complete exhaustion with dizziness and weakness during all types of physical
labor
Symptoms
of Abnormal Blood Sugar Levels – Severe Ones
- Loss of
consciousness - Extreme weakness
with an inability to perform even the most basic physical activities of
life - Difficulty in
understanding even routine life conversations - A faster
heartbeat with a slower pulse rate
It is critical to
diagnose the condition as soon as possible because elevated blood glucose
levels for an extended period of time cause damage to the major body organs. When
the conditions are mild, it is difficult to diagnose high blood glucose levels.
The mild symptom is characterized by a slight elevation.
Read: How Do You Make A Healthy Diet Chart?
Major
Complications Associated With Abnormal Blood Sugar Levels
The major
complications that may arise as a result of a prolonged deviation from normal
blood sugar levels are:
- Damage to eye
nerves - Cardiovascular
issues - Kidney failure
- Amputations
- Diabetic coma
Whatever the
blood sugar levels are, it is essential that diabetics understand that diabetes
does not mean the end of life.
This is a disease
that can be easily managed through lifestyle changes. Diabetes is easily
reversed or controlled in the early stages.
If the level of
sugar in the blood has risen, the situation can be managed with the help of
sugar-lowering medications.
Diabetics must
consult with their endocrinologist to develop a healthy diabetic diet plan.
Testing
For Abnormal Blood Sugar Levels and Type 2 Diabetes
There are two
major blood tests used to diagnose Type 2 diabetes. Because blood sugar levels
can be affected by a variety of factors, including stress, most doctors will
repeat the tests at least twice to confirm your diagnosis.
1.
Fasting Blood Glucose Test
The first is a
‘fasting blood glucose test,’ which is done early in the morning after waking
up after an overnight fast (the person being tested cannot have eaten anything
after midnight… including beverages with sugar or protein).
Read: Non Surgical Gum Disease Treatment
The concentration
of glucose in a small blood sample is measured in this test. Sugar levels are
normal when glucose levels range from 70 to 110mg/dL (3.89 to 6mmol/L). A blood
sugar level of more than 126mg/dL (7mmol/L) on more than two occasions
indicates high blood sugar and a high risk of Type 2 diabetes.
2.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
The second blood
test is known as the ‘oral glucose tolerance test,’ and it is usually done in
the late morning after a fast of at least ten hours but no more than sixteen
hours. After drawing a blood sample to test glucose levels, the patient is
given a ‘glucola’ drink, which typically contains 75 grams of glucose.
Blood is drawn
and tested every 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours.
In a healthy
person, glucose levels will rise sharply and then level off; if levels are
equal to or less than 110mg/dL (6mmol/L) after 2 hours, a normal response is
diagnosed.
If the levels are
between 100 and 126mg/dL (5.5 and 7mmol/L), it indicates an impaired fasting
response… which is not a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, but it does indicate
that the person being tested is at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
If the glucose
levels in the 2-hour test range between 140 and 200mg/dL (7.8 and 11mmol/L),
this indicates impaired glucose tolerance.
Currently, for
Type 2 diabetes to be formally diagnosed, glucose levels must be greater than
200mg/dL (11mmol/L), and this must be confirmed by a second test performed in
the doctor’s office or lab.
Some doctors are
advocating for this upper limit to be reduced to 180mg/dL (10mmol/L) so that
intervention can begin sooner.
Read: Laser Treatment For Gum Disease Pros And Cons
Gestational
Diabetes
During pregnancy,
some women develop diabetes. The above tests can be used to diagnose
gestational diabetes if two or more of the following parameters are met:
- A fasting glucose
level of more than 105mg/dL (5.8mmol/L) - Glucose level
greater than 190mg/dL (10.5mmol/L) after 2 hours - Over 145mg/dL
(8mmol/L) glucose level after 3 hours - Another factor
that can put a person at high risk for Type 2 diabetes later in life is
gestational diabetes.
These are the
tests that your doctor will perform to rule out or confirm Type 2 diabetes.
How To Manage Abnormal Blood Sugar Levels:
Diet
Abnormal
blood sugar levels are a condition that can only be managed and not cured. Blood
sugar control is best achieved through a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Make
it a point to eat regularly as well. Skipping meals is a bad idea, especially
if you are taking blood sugar-lowering medication.
When
your blood sugar levels rise, you become thirstier and hungrier. So, divide
your food and eat in smaller amounts more frequently. But, from a dietary
standpoint, what you eat and drink is critical.
A
few pointers are provided below:
Carbohydrates: Complex carbohydrates are recommended
because they are broken down over a longer period of time, reducing the release
of glucose into the blood. Whole-grain bread and cereals are advised.
Refined
carbohydrates, such as sugar, cause a spike in blood sugar levels because the
glucose in them is released into the bloodstream early.
Read: What Time Of Day Is Pain Most Likely To Worsen?
Fibre: Increase the fiber content of your diet.
Fibre is found in foods such as green leafy vegetables and fruits.
Fat: Limit your intake of fat, particularly
saturated fat. Replace high-fat foods like ghee (rarefied butter), pasteurized
butter, and coconut oil with low-fat spreads and vegetable oil. Make use of
more skim milk and low-fat curds.
Fried items: Deep-fried foods Samosas, papads, and chips,
for example, should be reduced. Switch to healthier cooking methods that use
less oil and fat, such as grilling and baking.
Fish and meat: Fish is a better choice because it
contains less fat. Lean meat is recommended for sugar control. Processed and
fatty meat is strictly forbidden. Sausages and hamburgers are examples of this.
Beverages: Aerated soft drinks should be avoided because
they are high in sugar. Alcohol consumption should be limited.
Hot
beverages such as tea, coffee, or cocoa can be consumed without the addition of
sugar. Fruit juices can be consumed without the addition of sugar.
Nuts: Nuts are the best snack option. The less
salted the better. They are superior because nuts contain fiber and are high in
omega-3 fatty acids.
How To Manage Abnormal Blood Sugar Levels: Home
Remedies
Try
a few home remedies such as:
1.
Soak Fenugreek seeds in water overnight, then chew the seeds and drink the
water on an empty stomach the next morning.
2.
Prepare a Neem and turmeric paste and consume 1 teaspoon twice daily.
3.
In the mornings, crush and make a paste of Tulsi (Holy Basil) leaves.
4.
Include legumes and sprouts in your diet because they take longer to digest.
5.
Consume one cup of Bitter Gourd juice and one tablespoon of Amla (gooseberry)
juice every day. Bitter gourd can also be consumed on a daily basis.
6.
Make a cup of cinnamon tea and drink it in the morning. Cinnamon can also be
added to regular tea.
How
To Manage Abnormal Blood Sugar Levels: Lifestyle
Diabetes is
regarded as a disease of lifestyle. Although it is largely hereditary, it is
mostly acquired.
High blood sugar
levels are caused by a sedentary lifestyle, obesity or overweight, and stress.
Read: ALS And Constipation
Better stress
management and increased exercise to burn off excess fat are two ways to manage
this condition. There are several approaches to stress management. Here are a
couple of methods for accomplishing this.
Yoga: Yoga is an ancient science that can
be practiced to improve concentration and relaxation. These breathing exercises
and postures help one gain control of their mind and body, allowing them to
deal with stressful situations at work and at home with ease.
Realistic
goals: Most stress is
caused by setting unrealistic goals and burning ourselves out to achieve them.
Take some time to live and enjoy yourself.
Workouts:
Burn off that
extra fat or simply improve your flexibility and confidence with a
better-looking body. Aerobic activity improves insulin function. Workouts also
allow you to sweat out your stress.
Walk
or jog: Nothing beats
the early morning air. A daily 30-minute walk or jog gets you ready for the day
and boosts your productivity and confidence.
Sleep: Get plenty of rest. It is critical
for the machine, i.e., our body, to function properly. Sleep deprivation and
excessive sleep are both harmful in multiple ways. Every adult needs at least
6-8 hours of sleep per day.
Read: Physical Therapy For Neck Pain And Headaches
A
Word From GetMe Treated
So, adopt any of
these tips and get your abnormal blood sugar levels back to a normal level. Live
a complete and healthy life.
