Your blood carries a lot of important substances throughout your body such as oxygen, cholesterol and sugar. In some instances you can have too much sugar in your blood, which can lead to health problems if it is present for a long period of time. Elevated blood sugar levels are diagnosed as diabetes and they increase your risk for developing heart disease.
What Is Blood Sugar?
Blood sugar is actually called glucose. Glucose is the main source of energy for your brain and each of the trillions of cells in your body. Glucose, or blood sugar, develops when carbohydrates are broken down. Your body needs a certain level of glucose and if the level gets too high, it releases the hormone insulin, which helps your body maintain healthy levels. Diabetes is a condition where your body does not use or make insulin properly.
How Is It Tested?
A glucose test is a blood test that checks the amount of glucose in your blood stream. A normal result is a reading that is up to 100 mg per dL. If your level is higher, you may have problems regulating your glucose. Abnormal results include any reading above 100 mg/dL. If you have a level between 100 and 125 mg/dL you are diagnosed with prediabetes and if your level is 126 mg/dL or higher you are considered diabetic.
Types of Diabetes
There are three types of diabetes -- gestational, Type 1 and Type 2. Gestational occurs during pregnancy. Both Type 1 and Type 2 are diagnosed at any age. Type 1 occurs when the body does not make insulin and Type 2 occurs when your body no longer properly uses the insulin it makes. Type 2 is the most common form and it is preventable. Symptoms of Type 2 include fatigue, thirst, weight loss, blurred vision and frequent urination, according to MedlinePlus.
Prevention
There are several key lifestyle habits that help decrease your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. These include eating a healthy balanced diet that contains a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish and seeds. You should avoid foods that are high in saturated or trans fat and foods that are high in sugar, sodium and refined carbohydrates. Foods to avoid specifically include soda, sugary energy drinks, white bread, white rice and processed foods that are high in carbohydrates. These foods cause blood sugar spikes. You also need to exercise and maintain a healthy weight, which decreases your risk of developing chronic illness.
