Why Should You Check Blood Glucose Levels Because Of Diabetes

Diabetes is a problem with the blood glucose level in your body. Blood glucose is essentially the energy that we supply the body with so that it can function. This might be things you never think about, like antibodies healing cuts and bruises or it might be the energy your body uses to play a squash game.



Glucose gets into the blood from digested food. The process it uses to convert glucose to energy uses an hormone called insulin.



Insulin is produced in the pancreas. When somebody has diabetes, insulin is not produced or the insulin that is produced is ineffective. In a non-diabetic person the insulin converts glucose to glycogen, and in the process, reduces the glucose level in blood. In a diabetic this does not occur and the blood glucose level gets high.



High glucose levels in the blood can cause all sorts of problems to a persons health. In type 1 diabetes a person with high glucose level blood can get diabetic ketoacidosis that can lead to coma and death if not detected and acted upon.



Chronically high blood sugar levels can lead to heart disease, poor circulation, nerve damage, foot and eye problems and a host of other problems.



Thus high blood sugar levels can lead to acute and chronic illnesses that range from mild and irritating or critical and dangerous. Therefore it is important to check the blood glucose level because it tells you the state of your diabetes and the likelihood of complications occurring.



Monitoring your blood gives you the information you need to treat your diabetes.



Your doctor will tell you what the ideal range of glucose in your blood should be based on your particular circumstances.



General guidelines are based on just before meals and 2 hours after a meal. The range is measured in millimoles of glucose per liter of blood (mmol/l)



Before meals an ideal reading is 4-6 mmol/l , a fair reading is 6-8mmol/l and a poor reading is 8 + mmol/l.



After meals an ideal reading is up to 8mmol/l, a fair reading is up to 10 mmol/l and a poor reading is 10+ mmol/l.



With this information you can determine whether you need to take insulin, medication or some other strategy that can control the glucose level.



Testing is normally done by pricking your finger and allowing a drop of blood to fall onto a testing strip. The testing strip is then put into a blood testing monitor that will give you a reading in about 30 seconds on so.



Testing blood gives you control over diabetes and allows you to plan your day without the disease impacting on your life too much.

3 Signs of Diabetes That Most People Don't See Because They Seem So Normal

When it comes to noticing the warnings signs of diabetes, most people tend to overlook them because these signs can seem so normal. That's why many have termed this disease the "silent killer." You won't lose your hair like cancer or develop sores on your body like other serious diseases. But make no mistake: even thought the diabetic symptoms may seem subtle, this is still a very dangerous illness to have.



Doctors now believe that noticing these signs of diabetes and getting officially diagnosed is crucial. Getting treated for this disease as soon as possible has shown to minimize the long term effects. So basically, the earlier you get treated, the less this disease will affect you. So what are these symptoms that tend to get overlooked?



The 3 Signs of Diabetes That Most People Miss:



1. Constant thirst. If you are always thirsty, it would be wise to go see a doctor and get a blood glucose test. This warning sign especially gets pushed aside during the summer months and for those that are very physically active (whether with exercise or with work). But under normal circumstances, drinking a few glass of water should end this thirst. Not so for those who have diabetes. Their thirst never gets satisfied.



2. Frequent Urination. Who would have thought that going to the bathroom too much could be cause for concern? But this is one of the most common signs of diabetes. And if you consume alcoholic beverages on a daily basis, you are just going to assume that your going to the bathroom often is the result of your drinking.



3. Fatigue. Who doesn't get tired every once in a while, right? But if that tiredness doesn't go away, then you may have diabetes. This is especially true if you are getting plenty of sleep and are eating healthy. Feeling tired all the time is the body's way of letting you know that something's wrong.



When it comes to diabetes, time is of the essence. Knowing how to spot these three subtle signs of diabetes can be lifesaving. If you or someone you love experience any of these symptoms and they don't away, it would be smart to go see a physician as soon as you can.