What are normal blood sugar levels and why are they important to our health?
| Normal Blood Sugar (glucose) Levels | |
| Fasting blood glucose (wake up): | 70-99 milligrams per deciliter |
| 2 hours after eating (postprandial): | 70-145 mg/dL |
| Random (casual): | 70-125 mg/dL |
Our bodies are an amazing vessel when operating within normal levels. But once the systems we take for granted try to function outside of these levels, they can potentially cause our bodies to break down, befriend us, and become riddled with significant health problems. Normal glucose levels and sugar (glucose) levels are no different. Both high and low sugar can quickly cause health concerns and be responsible for processes we seldom think about to spiral out of control. So what are normal blood sugar levels? Normal blood sugar levels in 
non-diabetics should be between 70 and 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). This “normal” sugar level is best taken eight hours after your last meal (fasting) and usually in the morning before breakfast. After a meal blood sugar levels should be no higher than 140 mg/dl. Values outside of these should be investigated and a doctor’s visit in order. There are a numerous reasons glucose levels may fluctuate, the most common of which is a pancreas that either produces too much insulin or in the case of diabetics, too little insulin. To understand normal blood sugar levels, we must ask the following questions in discovery of what causes high and low blood sugar levels.
What is Low Blood Sugar?
Low sugar (hypoglycemia) is a potentially dangerous medical condition whereby the brain is receiving an inadequate supply of glucose. Symptoms caused by low sugar are usually evident when glucose drops below 60 mg/dl and may include rapid heartbeat, profuse sweating, jitters or trembling, confusion, and an insatiable appetite.
More serious episodes of low sugar can bring on seizures, cause you to lose consciousness, and if severe enough can cause coma and even death.
What Causes Low Blood Sugar?
Although low sugar is most common among insulin dependent diabetics, it is possible for those without diabetes to experience episodes of low sugar. Low sugar in non-diabetics can be caused by:
- Some medications containing Monoamine Oxidase inhibitors (often used to treat depression), Quinine Sulfate (for Malaria), and even Aspirin
- Diseases affecting the liver, kidney, and pancreas
- Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause sudden drops in sugar
- Complications resulting from stomach surgeries such as gastric bypass
- Any one of a number of metabolic disorders
How Can You Prevent Low Blood Sugar?
The prevention of low sugar is indeed dependent upon the cause. Repeated episodes of hypoglycemia in diabetics can be avoided by:
- Lowering the amount of insulin taken
- Reducing medication dosages
- Consuming carbohydrates before and during exercise
- Avoiding or reducing alcohol intake
The most important factor in avoiding hypoglycemia is closer monitoring of blood sugar levels especially during inherently risky activities.
What is High Blood Sugar?
High sugar (hyperglycemia) exists when there is too much glucose in the blood usually when blood glucose exceeds 100 mg/dl.
Although symptoms of high sugar can come on gradually and in some cases be non-existent, if left untreated it too can cause serious health problems. It has often been said that the most common symptom of high blood sugar is to not have any symptoms at all.
The following tell-tale signs are a good indicator that your blood sugar levels may be above normal:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Tingling or numbness in the fingers and toes
- Changes in vision
- Difficulty concentrating
- Slow wound healing
- Weight loss
- Fatigue or a general feeling of being tired
Like low glucose levels, extreme cases of high sugar could cause coma and even death.
What Causes High Blood Sugar?
Although commonly attributed to diabetes, there are reasons why those without diabetes can have high sugar. These may include:
- Medications containing beta blockers, diuretics, niacin, protease inhibitors or corticosteroids (often used to treat afflictions such as Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis)
- Eating disorders such as Bulimia Nervosa
- Critical illnesses such as stroke or heart attack
- Severe physiological stress such as trauma or surgery
- Infection or illness
- If you have diabetes, there may be other reasons that may cause episodes of high sugar:
- Missed or improper dosages of insulin or oral medication
- Too much food (excessive intake of carbohydrates)
- Decreased physical activity
- Increased stress
How Can You Prevent High Blood Sugar?
Illnesses, stroke, and heart attacks aren’t always inevitable. They in fact can be prevented to a great extent by staying healthy through exercise and proper diet. A healthy lifestyle therefore can go a long way in preventing problems that contribute to high blood sugar.
The stakes are higher when you are diabetic and it becomes increasingly important over time to avoid high sugar. However there are certain things you can do to prevent high blood sugar:
- Know what causes high blood sugar
(This seems like a “no-brainer” but if you know what causes hyperglycemia then you know what to avoid)
- Remember there may be no symptoms
Understand there are not always symptoms of high sugar and that symptoms that do show may develop over time
- Test often
Especially if there has been a recent history of hyperglycemia or when you have an illness or infection
- Avoid large meals or over-eating
Eat smaller portions more frequently. Have a healthy snack in between meals to avoid overeating at meal time.
- Exercise often
Frequent exercise helps your body more effectively process insulin. Try a vigorous exercise such as walking for at least 20 minutes per day several days per week.
Always see your health care provider before starting any new exercise regimen.
- Store insulin properly
As a general rule, insulin should be refrigerated until opened and discarded within 30 days of opening. Check with your pharmacy for storage requirements for the type of inulin you have been prescribed. Check expiration dates before injecting insulin.
Remember high or low blood sugar levels can potentially be a dangerous medical condition. If you have had repeated episodes of low or high sugar, it goes without saying a medical evaluation is in order. Staying healthy and seeing your doctor at least once per year is perhaps the best way of staying within normal blood sugar levels.