Modern food production offers people products with a high sugar content. It is added everywhere: in muesli and baby formulas, in cottage cheese and bread. Sweet candies and carbonated drinks are loved by both adults and children. Meanwhile, excessive consumption of sugar causes many diseases, in particular, leads to an increase in the incidence of diabetes. You can read more about blood sugar levels, norms and measuring glucose in this article.
General information
Some 20 years ago, diabetes was considered a disease of old age, which appeared mainly in older people. But things are changing, and the abundance of sugary foods and fast carbohydrates in the human diet has increased dramatically in recent years. And activity, on the contrary, is becoming less and less due to the development of personal and public transport.
Diabetes is considered an "adult" disease, but children also suffer from it. Used to be a violationinsulin production was associated with a genetic factor, it was believed that this was inherited. But now doctors believe that most diabetics got their disease due to nutrition. Already in childhood, wrong eating habits are formed. The abundance of high-calorie food with zero nutritional value attracts people, and they consume it without control. According to recent studies, one person has about 2 kg of sugar per month, or 12 kg per year. Nowadays, normal blood sugar levels are becoming rarer, and the number of people with diabetes is increasing.
Blood sugar control mechanism
Understanding the processes that occur in the body while eating can help prevent many diseases. For example, imagining what harm sugar does to our body every time, you can quickly give up sweets. Glucose is a highly digestible carbohydrate found in a variety of foods. Sweets, cereals, vegetables, dairy products - all, one way or another, contain sugar. Glucose fills us with energy. In fact, it's like doping for athletes. Blood sugar gives a sharp jump up, we gain strength, and our mood immediately creeps up. That is why in moments of sadness and loss of strength, after a hard day, we really want “sweet”. This is how our body tries to get fast energy.
However, excess glucose can be very dangerous for humans. After a person has eaten, blood sugar rises sharply, and the pancreas begins to produce insulin. This hormone takes up glucose and converts it intoglycogen, which is then deposited in the muscles and liver. Glycogen serves as a "reserve" source of energy in case of malnutrition. If a person consumes an increased amount of glucose for a long time, the pancreas "works for wear" and after a while begins to produce less and less of the hormone. As a result, part of the glucose remains "free floating". It can freely penetrate the tissues of various organs, causing many disorders along the way. That is why you need to know what is considered normal blood sugar levels.
It is not uncommon for blood sugar to increase due to the following factors:
- Diabetes is the most common factor.
- Stress, stress on the nervous system.
- Alcoholism, drinking too much alcohol.
- Eating lots of sweets and fats.
- Injuries to the pancreas.
- Congenital metabolic disorders.
Norms and indicators
What is a normal blood sugar level? There can be no more than one opinion on this issue. The answer is clearly given by the World He alth Organization. When talking about diabetes, there is no question of possible “relaxations”: you either have it or you don’t. Although doctors also distinguish the stage of the so-called "pre-diabetes", in which the glucose level is already critical. The table of normal blood sugar levels clearly states which indicators are acceptable for he althy people. Below are the generalindicators:
- For children, normal blood sugar levels should be 2.8-4.4 units.
- If the patient's age is from 1 month to 14 years, then the figure becomes slightly larger: 3, 3-5, 5 mmol/liter.
- Normal blood sugar levels in men and women over 14 years of age range from 3.5 to 5.5-6.0 mmol.
The level of glucose is a vital indicator that everyone needs to know. Maintaining it within the normal range can significantly prolong life. The fact is that the work of all organs depends on the amount of glucose in the blood. A decrease in glucose concentration is called hypoglycemia. It is accompanied by fatigue, apathy, drowsiness, decreased energy. In severe cases, if measures are not taken in time to increase blood sugar, a person may lose consciousness and even fall into an insulin coma. If the glucose level, on the contrary, is too high, then the body also receives a double load. Sugar acts on the vessels, gradually expanding them. As a result, blood pressure decreases, and this affects the functioning of all organs. With age, a person needs more and more insulin, as body weight increases on average, and tissue sensitivity decreases.
Measurement of the norm of sugar in the blood is usually carried out several times in order to track the change in blood sugar in different conditions. After all, many factors can influence the result, and it is necessary to exclude their influence. If the result obtained does not exceed the upper threshold, then the patient is considered he althy. But if the indicators are more than 9 mmol / l, then the “culprit” of this may bediabetes. What is the normal blood sugar level for pre-diabetes conditions? If the numbers are slightly too high, for example, when analyzing blood from a vein, the result obtained ranges from 6.1 to 7, which means that the body is at the limit. Such patients are prescribed a special diet and blood control. If the analysis showed numbers above 7 mmol / l, then a test for glycated hemoglobin is prescribed, which reliably determines the presence of diabetes.
Normal blood sugar levels for pregnant women
Pregnancy is a turning point in a woman's life. Her body is changing, changes also affect the hormones that the body produces. To maintain the he althy development of the fetus, it is necessary to provide it with adequate nutrition. Somatomammotropin helps to get enough trace elements, but this hormone also has a side effect. Providing the baby with a sufficient level of glucose in the blood, it thereby increases maternal sugar. The glucose utilization pattern is disrupted and a pre-diabetic state occurs. The so-called gestational diabetes is quite common in pregnant women. Women who gain weight too quickly or have large fetuses are especially at risk.
In order to prevent unwanted consequences, you need to understand what is the normal blood sugar level in pregnant women. The figures differ from the generally accepted indicators, but not too much. In general, numbers from 3.3 to 6.6 mol can be considered the norm. But the spread of indicators is quite strong, because theymay depend on various conditions. For example, if blood is taken from a vein on an empty stomach, then the number 5, 5-6, 2 mmol / liter is considered the norm. For capillary blood, the standards are somewhat different: from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol. Numbers from 10 units and above are definitely considered dangerous - they indicate a critically high level of sugar. It is worth starting to beat the alarm if a pregnant woman feels a breakdown, unreasonable anxiety, weakness. Unfortunately, many consider these symptoms to be natural manifestations of an "interesting situation" and do not seek medical help. But doctors are aware of the possible risks, so they control the level of sugar, from time to time prescribing tests.
Diabetes and glucose levels
Normal blood sugar levels in diabetes are markedly different from those of he althy people. Often the gap between the numbers can be 1-4 units, depending on the severity of the disease. The rate of sugar is of vital importance for patients. After all, their body does not produce enough insulin, so you need to ensure that it enters the body from the outside in time. More recently, the mortality rate from ordinary diabetes was extremely high, people often became disabled and died early. Now the disease can be brought under control. If you regularly take tests and control the development of the disease, you can live a long life. For this, special glucometers have been developed that measure blood sugar levels. All you have to do is prick your finger, put it on the measuring strip and wait for the result.
Usually, the indicators in patients with diabetes differ from the norm of he althy people by 0.3-1 units. The normal blood sugar level in adults predisposed to diabetes is 2.6-6.3 mmol. The maximum values reach 10 mmol. If the analysis shows a figure of more than 11 mmol, then it's time to sound the alarm. This is a critical level at which urgent action must be taken, otherwise the body will be irreparably harmed. Insulin injections are most effective for high blood sugar, which act quickly and bring metabolic processes back to normal.
Glycated hemoglobin
It can be difficult to take a blood test on an empty stomach, not only for children, but also for adults. Sometimes more than one test is required. To detect latent diabetes, the analysis is taken several times. The first - on an empty stomach, then the patient is given a glass of water with diluted glucose to drink and blood is taken again. Normal blood sugar after meals should be slightly higher than on an empty stomach. The result is an average analysis that clearly shows whether a person has diabetes. For those who do not want to wait several hours while they are being tested, an alternative is prescribed - a glycated hemoglobin test. This protein is associated with glucose, therefore it is able to show a reliable result in a short period of time.
This analysis is very convenient for the patient, as it can be taken after meals, and at any time of the day. The result is not tied to age: the numbers are the same for both adults and children. What is the norm of blood sugar is acceptable when analyzing for glycatedhemoglobin? In completely he althy people, the figure is less than 5.7 percent. You should be wary if the level of blood cells associated with glucose is 5.7-6%. If the numbers are even higher: 6.1-6.5 percent, then the patient is prescribed a low-carbohydrate diet and periodic monitoring of blood sugar. This is a dangerous condition in which the development of the disease is most likely. Well, with indicators above 6.5 percent, the body practically screams that a little more, and the pancreas will completely cease to cope. But before you are diagnosed and treated, you will need to take a blood test several more times in order to avoid an error.
Symptoms of high blood sugar
Any person can suspect a high level of glucose in the blood without taking tests. To do this, you just need to carefully monitor your feelings and notice changes in the body. The first symptoms of diabetes are usually not so easy to notice:
- Frequent visits to the restroom. High blood sugar affects all organs. The kidneys actively remove fluid from the body. This often results in dehydration.
- The next symptom stems from the first one: because of kidney dysfunction, a person is thirsty all the time. Even when drinking a lot of water, he can't get drunk.
- Various skin allergies and rashes, itching.
- If you get scratched or injured, and the healing process takes too long, this can also indirectly indicate diabetes.
- Mostcommon symptoms: lethargy, drowsiness, apathy appear due to the fact that the body receives less energy.
- Uncontrolled appetite - the patient wants to eat all the time, even if there is a sufficient set of calories.
If atypical changes occur in the human body that have not been observed before, it is necessary to consult a doctor and pass all the necessary tests. It may not be diabetes that is the cause of your weakness and fatigue, but in any case you will be examined, and possible diseases are prevented or detected at an early stage.
Insulin and low blood sugar
Lack of normal blood sugar is not the only indicator of diabetes. The insulin indicator can also clearly tell whether the patient has this disease. This important hormone controls not only sugar, but also a number of other vital functions. Insulin affects metabolism in all tissues of the body. But above all, it affects the metabolism of carbohydrates and the synthesis of glycogen in the muscles and liver. The normal level of insulin in the blood is between 3 and 20 units. Older people tend to produce more of this hormone because they are heavier and less sensitive to tissues. The norm is the amount of 3-35 uedml. If the numbers are higher, then the patient is diagnosed with diabetes.
Contrary to popular belief, not only too high indicators are dangerous for a person. If the sugar content drops below 1.9 mmol/l m, then the person may faint or even fall into a coma. At rates of 1.5 mmol / l, death is possible. Hypoglycemia, or lowthe level of glucose in the blood is the name of this condition. Its symptoms are impossible to miss. A great weakness rolls over a person, hands begin to tremble, and consciousness gets confused. The condition is familiar to dieters and exercisers. The thing is that the supply of glucose, which means energy, dries up and if it is not replenished in time, then not the most pleasant sensations await a person. Hypoglycemia is also associated with nutrition. That is why the key to normal blood sugar levels is proper nutrition and a he althy lifestyle.
Doctors' recommendations
The best remedy for all diseases is prevention. It is much easier and cheaper to prevent a disease than to treat it later. In order not to earn diabetes, it is important for every person to follow a he althy diet. In particular, you should pay attention to how much sugar you consume and in what form. Some people, without noticing it, eat a lot of fast carbohydrates. There is a spoonful of sugar in coffee, then sweet juice and a couple of cakes for an afternoon snack or a sweet bun - that's the carbohydrate indicator is already twice the norm. Therefore, if you monitor your he alth, it is best to follow the norm of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. A balanced diet will help you live longer and be he althier. Recent studies show that eating sweets every day leads to diabetes, which, in turn, to various degenerative nerve diseases.
In addition, for those patients who have a sugar content above the norm, there isa special diet that includes certain foods. For example, cucumbers contain a substance similar to insulin. Cabbage is rich in trace elements and removes excess water from the body. And buckwheat is saturated with slow carbohydrates. Nutritionists recommend it as the basis for the diet of diabetics. In addition, an abundance of greens and vegetables can stabilize sugar in the body.
To achieve normal blood sugar levels, some folk remedies are also used on an empty stomach:
- Young dandelion leaves contain natural insulin, so an infusion of them can be consumed by diabetics. Their leaves can be added to salads - it's tasty and he althy.
- Mugwort and tansy affect insulin production and help women achieve normal blood sugar levels.
- Infusion of raspberry leaves reduces blood glucose. To prepare the tincture, pour hot water over a tablespoon of dried leaves and leave for 40 minutes.
Results
Indicators of blood sugar (norms and a table of deviations) are faithful assistants in a he althy lifestyle. This is especially true for those people who have previously had cases of the disease in the family. After all, diabetes is often inherited. Without proper treatment, it can lead to terrible consequences, so it is extremely important to maintain a normal blood sugar level in a person. Experts advise everyone, even he althy people, to take insulin on an empty stomach at least once every six months.
