Blood sugar level

On the Blood sugar level is said a lot today. Diabetes mellitus has become a widespread and affluent disease, the blood sugar level fluctuates back and forth in this disease. There are also various diets that are supposed to be directly related to influencing the blood sugar level (e.g. the Glyx diet). What exactly is the blood sugar level, what does it regulate, what does it say and how can it be influenced?

What is the blood sugar level?

Of the Blood sugar level is regulated by the pancreas in healthy people. Its value tells you how much sugar is in the blood at the moment.

One of the tasks of the blood is to use insulin to transport sugar into the cells so that it can be converted into energy there. If this is disturbed due to illness, it can lead to blood sugar imbalances such as hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar), which can assume life-threatening proportions.

A low-fat, low-sugar diet and physical activity, drugs that promote insulin and insulin injections all reduce blood sugar. The blood sugar level rises with sweet, high-fat foods and foods rich in carbohydrates (e.g. lots of pasta) and little exercise.

Although diabetics only have to pay attention to the dosage of carbohydrates in the first place, fat is converted into sugar in the body (and vice versa), which can also cause the blood sugar level to rise.

High & low blood sugar levels

As a guideline for the Blood sugar level in the normal range, a value of 80-120 mg% (sober) is given. A maximum value of 160 mg% is also still within the normal range after eating.

In young diabetics, these guide values ​​should be meticulously adhered to with regard to long-term and long-term consequences. Older diabetics and seniors may no longer have to be so strict with themselves, but should still ensure that their blood sugar levels are adequate. A high or a low blood sugar level should not be assessed as pathological without exception.

Blood sugar levels drop at night. A healthy person can have a blood sugar level of 40mg% during this time and still be very healthy. A diabetic should take immediate action in the event of such a blood sugar level, as such a low blood sugar level can be life-threatening for him.

Even in non-diabetics, the blood sugar level fluctuates during the day. Immediately after eating, it rises, if no food has been fed for a long time, it falls, you feel tired and unfocused, you get cravings and a desire for sweets.

Measure and evaluate blood sugar levels

Of the Blood sugar level is measured using a blood glucose meter. This is a medical device about the size of a calculator or smaller cell phone that the patient should always carry with them.

Each time a new test strip (stick) is inserted and a small amount of blood is drizzled on it. This is how the blood glucose meter determines the current blood sugar level. Such devices are available in pharmacies.

"Long-term sugar levels" can also be tested in the laboratory. Here a larger amount of blood is taken and the Hba1c value is determined. It provides information on how the blood sugar levels have developed in the past few weeks. Diabetics should write down each reading (up to four times a day) in a book, this is important for the correct dosage of the medication.

Disorders & Diseases

The most notable disease associated with the Blood sugar level is the diabetes mellitus ("honey-sweet river"). This disease leads to massive blood sugar imbalances because the pancreas no longer functions properly.

She is not able to regulate the blood sugar level with enough insulin, this may only partly be the case. But it is also possible that no insulin is formed at all. With this disease, the patient is not considered to be chronically ill or handicapped, but rather "healthy to a limited extent". Nevertheless, diabetes mellitus can bring serious complications and even lead to death in the event of severe derailments (untreated).

Since diabetes mellitus is now a widespread disease, it can be treated very well with diet adjustments, exercise, special tablets and insulin injections. However, this disease is not reversible and lasts a lifetime. The development of type II diabetes ("adult diabetes") can, however, be effectively prevented by a balanced diet, exercise and a normal weight.