In the modern world, convenience has become the greatest tool for fast living and, at the same time, has become the biggest threat to our well-being.
Fast foods, ready-to-make packaged foods, and instant noodles are a few of the reasons for the rise in type 2 diabetes among youth and even children. You must recognize the symptoms and patterns to prevent turning your entire life into managing insulin and skipping your favourite desserts.
To help you understand your sugar levels and ranges better, we have compiled this guide with all the information you will need to regain control of your sugar levels.
When to worry about your sugar levels?
Your body will start showing signs of insulin resistance that are often symptoms of pre-diabetes which are:
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Sudden weight gain
- Blurred vision
- Foggy brain and a hard time holding focus
- Occasional fainting spells
- Seizures
- In serious cases unconsciousness or coma
If you are experiencing three or more symptoms, your healthcare provider will have you tested for diabetes.
On the other hand, people who have pre-existing diabetes will need to monitor their sugar levels consistently to ensure they are not in a danger zone of being either too low or too high. Either condition can lead to serious health complications and, in some cases, even death.
Factors that can cause diabetes
Lifestyle habits can be a major factor in determining your risk of developing diabetes, however, several other factors can influence your blood sugar levels, here are some reasons as per CDC: (1)
Type 1 diabetes:
- Your family history might contain diagnoses of diabetes that can be inherited by you
- It can happen to individuals of any age (due to autoimmune reaction)
Pre-diabetes & type 2 diabetes:
- Overweight and obesity
- Having family history of type 2 diabetes
- Not active enough in a week
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver
- Gestational diabetes
How to test?
- Glucose Screening: you will be given a liquid containing glucose and an hour later your blood will be drawn to measure your sugar levels. If your sugar levels are above 140 then your doctor will ask you to do a glucose tolerance test (2)
- Glucose tolerance: this test will measure your blood sugar levels before and after you drink liquid glucose within 1-2 hours.
What is the normal sugar level for diabetic & non-diabetic people?
While there is a standard norm for what a person’s sugar level must be on the average, it is important to remember that each individual is different, and the results can differ based on the factors that affect them.
Standard Sugar Level (Non-diabetic):
| Meals | Sugar Level |
| Fasting Sugar | 72-99 mg/dl |
| 2 hours post meal | less than 140 mg/dl |
Standard Sugar Level (diabetic)
| Meals | Sugar Level |
| Fasting Sugar | 80-130 mg/dl |
| 2 hours post meal | less than 180 mg/dl |
Standard Sugar levels for children
| Ages | Sugar Level |
| 0-5 years | 100-180 |
| 6-9 years | 80-140 |
| 10+ | 70-120 |
Standard Sugar Levels for Teens
| Meals | Sugar Level |
| Fasting Sugar | 72-108 mg/dl |
| 2 hours post meal | 180 mg/dl |
Standard Sugar Levels for Women with Gestational Diabetes
A lot of pregnant women can develop Gestational diabetes due to high blood sugar levels.
In a pregnant woman the placenta releases hormones which have the ability to block your body from making or using insulin. This can lead to excessive glucose levels in the blood which can cause complications in pregnancy as well as induce gestational diabetes.
| Meals | Sugar Level |
| Fasting Sugar | 95 mg/dl or lower |
| 1 hours post meal | 140 mg/dl or lower |
| 2 hours post meal | 120 mg/dl or lower |
A1C Levels
To test for type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetic conditions, the A1C test will be suggested by your doctor. It measures the average blood glucose levels from the past three months, and this test can help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis, sometimes in combination with other tests. (3)
| No diabetes | below 5.7% |
| Prediabetic | 5.7-6.4% |
| With Diabetes | 6.5% or over |
How to manage blood sugar levels?
If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, or even if you haven’t, there is always a chance of developing it later in your life if you do not take proper care of yourself.
Here are some ways you can manage your blood sugar levels:
- Exercise: With the modern lifestyle, it gets hard to find time to fit in a workout routine during your busy work hours, but you must spare some time, even if it is just 45 minutes. Exercise helps your muscles utilize sugar stored in your blood for energy and muscle contraction.
- Minimize carbs: Asking you to eliminate carbs from your diet is cruel. However, you can cut down on your intake, as a low-carb diet reduces blood sugar levels and prevents sudden spikes.
- More fiber: High-fiber diets have been proven to regulate and minimize blood sugar levels. So, add those veggies to your meals and grab a fruit on the go now and then.
- Hydrate: It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to stay properly hydrated, even for your blood sugar levels, as it helps the kidneys flush out any excess sugar.
- Manage stress: This is vital not only for your overall health but also for your blood sugar levels, as the body secretes hormones called cortisol and glucagon that have been associated with spiking blood sugar levels.
- Monitor your sugar levels: You don’t have to keep going to your doctor’s office to get sugar tests done. Instead, you can buy a small and portable glucose testing machine. All you have to do is prick your finger and put the blood on the small strip, and you can easily monitor your blood sugar levels at home.
Conclusion
If you or your loved ones are experiencing any symptoms of diabetes, it is essential that you get checked out immediately. Early diagnosis can help manage your symptoms and potentially prevent you from developing diabetes.
It is also important to make healthy lifestyle changes and good food choices. If you experience any serious symptoms, contact your healthcare provider for further assistance.
FAQs:
1. What is the ideal range for blood sugar?
The ideal blood sugar range is:
– Fasting: 70 to 99 mg/dL
– Postprandial: less than 140 mg/dL
– Random: less than 200 mg/dL
2. What are the guidelines for blood sugar levels?
| Meals | Sugar Level |
| Fasting Sugar | 72-99 mg/dl |
| 2 hours post meal | less than 140 mg/dl |
3. What are 5 signs your blood sugar is too high?
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Sudden weight gain
- Blurred vision
- Foggy brain and hard time holding focus
- Occasional fainting spells
4. What are the blood sugar levels list?
The normal fasting blood glucose should be between 70 mg/dL and 100 mg/dL.
