Doctors have been harping about keeping a close watch on your body’s blood sugar levels. If left unchecked, the condition could lead to diabetes and further complications brought about by the disease. And as they say, prevention is better than the cure. You need to be constantly vigilant about your health. Otherwise, you pay the hefty price for your dismissive attitude.
What is blood sugar?
Your blood sugar is also known as your blood glucose. Doctors follow a chart that helps identify your ideal blood sugar levels throughout the day. Hence, there’s a specific count for levels before and after meals. If you’re undergoing glucose management at this point, then you need to make sure that the levels are within a normal range. Otherwise, further problems with diabetes could arise.
Doctors make full use of the blood sugar charts to set target goals and monitor diabetes treatment plans for the patients. These aforementioned charts also help those who suffer from diabetes. When they are made aware of the levels, they can assess and monitor their blood sugar test results as well.
The ideal blood sugar level may vary from person to person. It depends on when in the day they carry out blood glucose monitoring and when they had their last meal.
This article may help you understand what the ideal blood sugar levels throughout the day will be. You should also be able to understand why it is important to stay within the recommended ranges.
What is a blood sugar chart?
Blood sugar charts are basically reference guides for blood sugar test results. These are particularly important tools used for diabetes management.
A blood sugar chart comes in handy when doctors make treatment plans for those who suffer from diabetes. The guide shows them what normal the normal levels are and what the target should be. To check on blood sugar, this entails scheduled at-home and doctor-ordered testing. The results are then checked and it is important for the patient to understand how results compare with target levels.
Doctors who oversee your blood sugar levels often provide A1C blood sugar recommendations found in blood sugar charts. They provide A1C results as both a percentage and an average blood sugar level in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl).
These experts interpret and assess the results with the use of charts that outline normal and abnormal blood sugar levels for those patients (whether or not they suffer from diabetes).
Below is a chart that they often look into:
Although a doctor will provide these as a guide, they will also individualize a glucose management plan and include either more or less stringent personal targets.
An A1C test measures a person’s average blood sugar levels over a 3-month period, which gives a wider insight into their overall management of their blood sugar levels.
What are the guidelines used?
Blood sugar levels vary throughout the day. It also differs from person to person. Hence, to know what’s appropriate for you, you need to see a health expert. The levels are at its lowest before breakfast and right before meals. The highest levels are in the hours after eating.
Those who suffer from diabetes will often have higher blood sugar levels that what’s often deemed as normal. The targets have different ranges, depending on the factors involved. These factors include the following:
- Age
- Life expectancy
- Other health conditions
- How long the person has suffered from diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Problems with the smallest arteries
- Damage to the eyes, kidneys, blood vessels, brain, or heart
- Personal habits
- Lifestyle factors
- Knowledge of low blood sugar levels
- Stress
- Other illnesses
Blood sugar charts often show recommended levels as a range. The range gives leeway for differences in people and in their lifestyles.
The American Diabetes Association, Joslin Diabetes Center, and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists also offer slightly different guidelines for those who suffer from diabetes. This is why it’s also best to talk to a health expert before jumping to conclusions.
Who do you interpret the results?
Interpreting blood sugar meter readings varies, depending on personalized patterns and targets. A doctor will set these for you at the very start of your treatment.
There are also established forms of temporary diabetes. An example of which would be gestational diabetes. People who suffer from this have separate blood sugar recommendations.
On the other hand, someone with very high or low fasting blood sugar levels should take note of the following recommendations:
As long as blood sugar levels are not considered critical, there are ways to reverse these and get them back to a normal range when readings become too high.
Some methods of taking back health include:
- Regulating carbohydrate intake without fasting
- Increasing water intake to stay hydrated and to dilute excess sugar found in the blood
- Getting into physical activities that include after-meal walks to burn excess sugar
- Consuming more fiber
It is important to know that these lifestyle changes do not replace medical treatment. However, these are good supplementary habits. If blood sugar readings are unusual, consult a doctor immediately. With these in mind, there are also several factors that can intrude with the monitoring device to influence blood sugar readings. Sometimes, these may be inaccurate. Hence, it is imperative that you get a proper reading at all times.
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