Blood Sugar :: Blood Glucose

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Blood sugar (blood glucose) is a term used to refer the amount of glucose in the blood.  It is expressed as milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) in the US, and millimoles per liter (mmol/L) in metric. Although it is called "blood sugar", other sugars besides glucose are found in the blood, like fructose and galactose.

Glucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). Our body produces it from protein, fat and, in largest part, carbohydrate. Glucose, transported via the bloodstream, is the primary source of energy for the body's cells. Insulin will helps to regulate blood glucose level and promotes glycogen storage. Insulin will transport glucose out of the blood and into the cells in the body, where the glucose can be used as energy and nourishment.

Normally, blood glucose levels stay within narrow limits throughout the day: 4 to 8mmol/l (70 to 150 mg/dl). Usually lowest in the morning , but levels rise after meals. Low blood sugar may be an indication of hypoglycemia and high blood sugar may be a symptom of hyperglycemia which causes many of the long-term health problems associated with diabetes.

Measuring blood sugar level
Measuring blood sugar levels can be done in two different ways. It can be measured randomly from a sample taken at any time, known as "random blood sugar" or RBS. It can also be measured in the "fasting" state, whereby the person has not eaten or taken in any calories in the past 8 hours (usually this is done overnight and it is referred to as an overnight fast and is called a "fasting blood sugar" or FBS).  In a person with normal insulin production and activity, blood sugar levels will return to "fasting" levels  within 3 hours of eating.  A person with diabetes may not be able to get their blood glucose down this quickly after a meal or drinking a calorie-containing drink.

You can learn to measure blood sugar levels simply and quickly with a home blood glucose level testing kit - Diabetic Test Strip. A drop of blood, usually taken from the fingertip, and placed on the end of a specially coated strip. Then, place the strip into the device. After about 30 seconds it will display the blood glucose level.

The ideal figure are:

• 4 to 7mmol/l before meals.

• less than 10mmol/l 90 minutes after a meal

• around 8mmol/l at bedtime.

Among the disease related to failure of blood sugar regulation, diabetes is the most prominent. The best tool to keep diabetes in control is by monitoring blood sugar level in the body. By ensuring adequate and optimal control of blood glucose levels you are able to reduce the incidence of diabetes complications such as blindness and kidney failure.

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