Blood sugar and diabetes

 If you have diabetes, you may have (or wondered) what your blood sugar level (sugar) should be like. I hope your doctor, nurse, physician assistant, or the person who made your diagnosis has given you the answer to this question. Unfortunately, not everyone reaches their glucose goals. Or it may have been a long time ago and has since been forgotten. Don't worry - we dodge it all!

 What is the blood sugar level anyway? Blood sugar, or sugar, is the sugar in your blood (simple enough!). It comes from the food you eat – foods that contain carbohydrates like bread, pasta and fruits are the main causes of blood sugar. The cells of our body need glucose for energy, and we all need the energy to move, think, learn and breathe. The brain, which is the command center, uses about half of the energy from glucose in the body.

 When things go wrong

 When we eat, the pancreas (the organ between the stomach and the spine) works to secrete enzymes that help break down food and hormones that help the body control the flow of glucose. One of these hormones is insulin, which plays an important role in regulating blood sugar levels.

 And something could go wrong here. If the pancreas is not producing enough insulin, or if you have type 1 diabetes and have stopped producing insulin completely, your blood sugar may be too high. Another scenario is when the pancreas produces enough insulin, but the cells have trouble using it properly, causing blood sugar to rise. This is called insulin resistance and is characteristic of type 2 diabetes.

 In the short term, high blood sugar levels can make you feel sick. Thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and weight loss are all signs of hyperglycemia. If left untreated, more serious problems such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can occur. Chronically high blood sugar levels can cause complications such as heart, kidney, eye disease, and nerve damage. In other words, blood sugar is everything.

 How do you know how high your blood sugar is?

In most cases, you won't be able to 'feel' your blood sugar unless your blood sugar is quite high or low. There are not always signs of high or low blood sugar. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not have the usual symptoms of hyperglycemia and are often left undiagnosed for years.

 The best way to measure your blood sugar is with a glucometer. This means puncturing the scalpel with your finger, placing a drop of blood on the test strip, and then inserting the strip into the meter for reading. Your doctor can give you a measuring device for free, but you will likely have to pay.