Our blood glucose is a measurement of how much sugar is in the bloodstream. The body uses glucose as a fuel source for all the cells. Too much or too little can upset the balance of the body. Diabetes is a disease that has to do with circulating levels of glucose in the blood. Checking blood glucose levels is done with simple blood tests. Kits can even be purchased to check blood sugar levels at home.
Wellness
The healthy range for blood sugar is 70 to 130 mg/dL before eating and can go up to 180 mg/dL one to two hours after eating, according to the Mayo clinic. As a wellness measure during a normal physical exam, blood can be drawn to check blood sugar levels at the doctor's office. This test is more accurate when the patient is fasting, similar to when cholesterol is checked. One tube of blood in the doctor's office can be enough to check the blood glucose and cholesterol levels. There is no set definition for how often a healthy person should get his blood glucose checked. Increased blood glucose could be a sign of pre-diabetes, and getting checked at regular physicals can be a helpful indicator to what is going on in the body.
Diabetes
Both Familydoctor.org and Mayo clinic agree that those with diabetes need to talk to a doctor to find out how often to check blood sugar levels. In general, those with type 1 diabetes need to check blood glucose levels three to four times a day. Those with type 2 diabetes need to check blood glucose levels one to three times a day. For those who need to check blood sugar on a daily basis, a home glucose monitor is very useful. Checking the blood glucose levels throughout the day gives feedback about how much the glucose the body is using as well as feedback and changes that occur from diet and exercise. If the blood sugar is too high, it is an indicator that the body needs more insulin. Keeping a log of these numbers throughout the day will be beneficial for tracking changes in blood sugar levels over time and indicating what exercises and food are useful or harmful.
Emergency
An altered mental status is usually caused by diabetic emergencies but can also be caused by poisoning, head injury or infection. A diabetic emergency can be caused by blood sugar that is too high or too low, as defined by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Emergency professionals use blood glucose monitors to check the blood sugar of everyone who appears to behaving differently than normal, or unconscious. Blood glucose levels that are out of range can cause changes in behavior. Low or high blood sugar can even cause people to appear drunk; they may slur words and stumble. Knowing where the blood sugar level is at will help to determine treatment. If the blood sugar reads abnormal on the meter, the emergency professionals can help to normalize the blood glucose through oral glucose tablets or gels. They can administer insulin or even IV glucose for more severe cases.
References
- Blood Sugar Testing: Why, When and How
- Diabetes: Monitoring Your Blood Sugar Level
- "Emergency Care and Transport of the Sick and Injured, Ninth Edition;" American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons; 2005
