Understanding blood sugar tests when managing diabetes
Individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes understand the importance of measuring blood sugar results regularly. It’s ideal to test your blood sugar levels in frequent intervals so that you can get better acquainted with your body, while managing your condition.
That’s why a high-quality glucometer is one of the most important strategies in managing diabetes long-term. Additionally, it’s critical to understand why blood sugar tests are performed regularly, and what medical emergencies can arise as a result of level imbalances. This can help patients form better strategies in terms of diet, exercise and lifestyle modifications.
Types of blood sugar level imbalances
Two critical conditions occur when patients have any form of imbalance of blood sugar in their bodies. Too much blood sugar puts patients at risk of hyperglycaemia, which may occur in diabetic patients and pregnant women. While Type 1 diabetic patients can get ketoacidosis, the condition may become life-threatening for patients with Type 2 diabetes. That’s why it’s critical to manage blood sugar levels regularly.
When the patient’s blood sugar level drops significantly, they may experience the effects of hypoglycaemia. The condition can cause individuals to feel dizzy, lose consciousness, or cause seizures in more extreme situations. It’s ideal to regularly test and maintain blood sugar levels, so that you’re not in a hypoglycaemic state requiring emergency care.
In more severe cases, surgical interventions may be necessary to treat additional underlying conditions. Leading medical centres acquire the best medical equipment in obesity and bariatric surgery, such as Ethicon devices, performing lifesaving interventions for patients. While significant weight-loss aids in managing blood sugar levels, patients need to continue testing their levels at home in the long-term.
What are blood sugar tests?
A blood sugar test measures the amount of glucose in the blood stream. Due to the breakdown of carbohydrates in the body, glucose is released into the system providing energy. Insulin is the main hormone responsible for the breaking down of sugar so that individuals don’t feel sudden energy spikes or drops.
The blood sugar test provides more information on the body’s insulin response at the time. It’s also an important test administered by doctors to understand whether you have diabetes or prediabetes. The patient’s response to meals and stress-inducing situations, can provide supporting evidence when diagnosing the condition better.
Individuals can acquire a quality sugar test machine from a leading online store, such as Smart Medical Buyer, to monitor their readings regularly. This can help them stay compliant with their diet and lifestyle routine, as well as understand diabetic symptoms early on as they occur.
Why it’s important to test blood sugar levels
For individuals with obesity, diabetes, heart conditions, or women that are pregnant, it’s important to regularly measure blood sugar levels. The results of the test may provide more information on why you may be feeling dizzy or may lose consciousness at certain times. Doctors may also opt for blood sugar testing prior to surgery, especially when patients may show signs of additional conditions.
Doctors may need to have clear blood sugar test results pre-surgery, as the Ethilon suture ligation process may become complicated if the patient has diabetes. Additionally, key medication responses need to be studied, to ensure timely recovery. Low-blood sugar episodes may block the efficacy of the medications administered in recovering patients.
Benefits of using a glucometer at home
A home glucometer is an ideal solution that allows individuals to study their results regularly. Having a regular reading allows you to feel satiated and balanced throughout the day. Additionally, patients can manage their symptoms better by understanding the body’s response to certain foods, situations, or lifestyle choices scientifically. Home glucometers can also help patients remain compliant to their medication and dietary protocols long-term.
Analysing blood sugar test results
It’s important to understand what a certain sugar reading means for your body. Under the fasting blood sugar test, a normal range for a person should be between 90 to 110 mg/dL. Patients with diabetes have results in the range of >126 mg/dL. Additionally, a random glucose test may also be administered, in which case the normal range is 79 to 160 mg/dL.
Patients with diabetes need to take blood sugar readings regularly, depending on whether they have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. For patients with Type 1 diabetes, it’s best to measure blood sugar levels before eating, exercising, or sleeping. As certain dietary measures may be put into place, it’s important to review the response of the body frequently as well.
