Blood Sugar Meters: The Most Accurate Means To Measure Blood Sugar Level
>> Friday, October 21, 2011
The main fuel that the body uses to produce energy is called blood sugar or blood glucose. Hence, among the most pivotal requirements for maintaining a healthy body is the maintenance of a balanced blood glucose level. To be able to do so, various factors should be understood about blood sugar. Among these factors are how it works, its normal ranges, the consequences of having low or high levels of it, as well as the various tools and tests that can be used to measure it.
So how does blood glucose work in the body? The primary sources of glucose are foods rich in carbohydrates, as well as proteins and fats. When these foods are consumed, our body breaks down their sugar and starch components into glucose, which is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. From the blood, glucose is then pushed into most of the body cells by insulin-a natural hormone produced by the pancreas-and then provides each cell with the energy necessary to carry out their specific functions. Normal ranges of blood sugar levels according to experts should be between 70 and 120 mg/dl.
The most accurate and easy way of measuring blood sugar levels is through the use of blood sugar meters. To use these tools, a drop of blood is first taken from the patient. The blood is usually taken from the fingertip by using shooting a small lancet into the skin. The drop of blood is then placed on a special coated strip which in turn is inserted into the blood sugar tester. The level of blood sugar is then calculated by the tester using the electric impulses it receives from the reaction of blood to the chemicals on the strip. Results are then displayed usually on a small digital screen.
Using blood sugar meters, there are various tests available to check for glucose levels. These are the fasting blood sugar test, the 2 hour postprandial blood glucose test, the random blood sugar testing, and the glucose tolerance test. The fasting blood sugar test refers to blood glucose tests done after a fast-hence, blood sugar is not impacted by eating and drinking-which typically is 8 hours long. The "2 hour postprandial" blood glucose test, on the other hand, is performed two hours after eating while random blood glucose testing is performed at random hours throughout the day and is performed regardless of food consumption, activity, exercise or sleep. Finally is the glucose tolerance test which aims to see the blood's reaction immediately after a high amount of sugar is consumed and released in to the blood. It is performed by having the patient drink a liquid that is mostly made up of glucose.
But what happens when the blood sugar level changes from the normal range? Hypoglycemia occurs when the blood sugar meter reads an extremely low level of blood sugar. This condition is often a result of too little or insufficient consumption of food, too much exercise, and inappropriate medication. Symptoms of this condition include feelings of sweatiness, dizziness, hunger, and shakiness. On the other hand, high levels of blood sugar often result in the condition called hyperglycemia. A high level of blood glucose is also the defining characteristic of diabetes. Short term complication of these conditions are fatigue, inability to concentrate, and blurred vision, while heart and kidney diseases, nerve and blood vessel damages, blindness, and gum diseases may result in the long term.
Debilitating effects in our daily lives may result from abnormal levels of blood sugar. As such, it is a must to regularly monitor our levels of blood sugar through the use of blood sugar meters and other blood sugar tests. This is also especially necessary in maintaining a balanced, healthy life.
So how does blood glucose work in the body? The primary sources of glucose are foods rich in carbohydrates, as well as proteins and fats. When these foods are consumed, our body breaks down their sugar and starch components into glucose, which is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. From the blood, glucose is then pushed into most of the body cells by insulin-a natural hormone produced by the pancreas-and then provides each cell with the energy necessary to carry out their specific functions. Normal ranges of blood sugar levels according to experts should be between 70 and 120 mg/dl.
The most accurate and easy way of measuring blood sugar levels is through the use of blood sugar meters. To use these tools, a drop of blood is first taken from the patient. The blood is usually taken from the fingertip by using shooting a small lancet into the skin. The drop of blood is then placed on a special coated strip which in turn is inserted into the blood sugar tester. The level of blood sugar is then calculated by the tester using the electric impulses it receives from the reaction of blood to the chemicals on the strip. Results are then displayed usually on a small digital screen.
Using blood sugar meters, there are various tests available to check for glucose levels. These are the fasting blood sugar test, the 2 hour postprandial blood glucose test, the random blood sugar testing, and the glucose tolerance test. The fasting blood sugar test refers to blood glucose tests done after a fast-hence, blood sugar is not impacted by eating and drinking-which typically is 8 hours long. The "2 hour postprandial" blood glucose test, on the other hand, is performed two hours after eating while random blood glucose testing is performed at random hours throughout the day and is performed regardless of food consumption, activity, exercise or sleep. Finally is the glucose tolerance test which aims to see the blood's reaction immediately after a high amount of sugar is consumed and released in to the blood. It is performed by having the patient drink a liquid that is mostly made up of glucose.
But what happens when the blood sugar level changes from the normal range? Hypoglycemia occurs when the blood sugar meter reads an extremely low level of blood sugar. This condition is often a result of too little or insufficient consumption of food, too much exercise, and inappropriate medication. Symptoms of this condition include feelings of sweatiness, dizziness, hunger, and shakiness. On the other hand, high levels of blood sugar often result in the condition called hyperglycemia. A high level of blood glucose is also the defining characteristic of diabetes. Short term complication of these conditions are fatigue, inability to concentrate, and blurred vision, while heart and kidney diseases, nerve and blood vessel damages, blindness, and gum diseases may result in the long term.
Debilitating effects in our daily lives may result from abnormal levels of blood sugar. As such, it is a must to regularly monitor our levels of blood sugar through the use of blood sugar meters and other blood sugar tests. This is also especially necessary in maintaining a balanced, healthy life.
About the Author:
Allan Meister is an anthropologist from London, England. As diabetes runs in his family, Mr. Meister always keeps at hand a blood sugar meter and an Accu Check Smart Fix so as to be able to monitor his blood sugar levels.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment