Blood glucose is a term that describes your body's circulating levels of glucose, an energy source derived from foods that contain carbohydrates. Under normal circumstances, your body tries to keep your blood glucose within a relatively narrow...
Your doctor may examine how well your body breaks down glucose, which is used for energy, if she suspects you have diabetes. As part of the test, you will consume oral glucose. Tests that show a high level of glucose in your blood after an hour...
Symptoms of glucose intolerance (also called "pre-diabetes") closely mirror those of diabetes itself. For example, excessive thirst and needing to urinate more than usual are also problems of diabetes. In addition, increased appetite, even after...
Approximately 16 million Americans have diabetes, a condition which either causes the body to not produce enough insulin, or it can cause cells to become resistant to insulin that is secreted by the pancreas. Detecting diabetes requires knowledge...
A fasting blood glucose test is a procedure that measures the amount of glucose, or sugar, in your bloodstream. Along with a separate testing procedure called an oral glucose tolerance test, it is a standard step in diagnosing blood glucose...
If you are pregnant, excess amniotic fluid can increase your chances of developing gestational diabetes, characterized by high blood glucose levels. Having too much amniotic fluid may also be a signal that you have gestational diabetes. This...
If your child experiences shakiness and nausea following high-sugar foods, you should take her to see her pediatrician right away. It's possible that she has developed type 1 diabetes, a condition in which her body can't process sugar properly....
A fasting blood sugar test, also called a fasting blood glucose test, is a method used to diagnose cases of diabetes. This disorder occurs when the body cannot properly process the glucose obtained from dietary carbohydrates. Doctors...
Type 2 diabetes refers to a chronic disease of uncontrolled blood sugars. Insulin is a chemical made in your body, and its job description is to lower blood glucose levels. In this type of diabetes, your body no longer makes or responds to...
Blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is the sugar in the bloodstream. Glucose comes from foods rich in carbohydrates such as grains, fruits, vegetables and sweets. It is the main source of energy for the body. Normally, blood sugar levels...
The term prediabetes refers to a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but they are not high enough to classify as type 2 diabetes. If left unmanaged, prediabetes usually progresses to type 2 diabetes within a period of...
Think of insulin as the key that unlocks the door to your cells. Your body uses insulin to allow glucose, or blood sugar, to gain entry to your cells, giving you energy. If your body has a tendency to make too much insulin, following a diet to...
If blood sugar levels get too high, a condition called diabetes can occur. However, blood sugar levels that get too low can also cause serious symptoms. In the early stages of either condition, there may not be any warning signs or symptoms, so...
For those who suffer from diabetes or who may be at risk, the blood sugar test is the gold standard of measurement. However, more than one type of test is usually used, depending on the status of the patient. The tests all measure the body's...
What we eat influences how much glucose is in our bloodstream. Blood glucose is measured as plasma glucose levels. Increased blood glucose is termed hyperglycemia, while decreased blood glucose is hypoglycemia. Glycated hemoglobin testing reveals...
An oral glucose tolerance test may be performed on healthy individuals, people with diabetes or pregnant women to observe the effects on blood sugar levels following the administration of glucose. The test may assist physicians in making a...
Prediabetes is defined as having higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes to be made. If no interventions and lifestyle changes are made, many patients with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes within...
During pregnancy, your prenatal visits involve a lot of testing to ensure your baby's healthy development. Tests for blood type, previous infections and preventive screenings ensure you and your baby are healthy and safe. The blood glucose test is...
Metformin is a prescription oral diabetes medication used to regulate blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes, explains Drugs.com. It is often used in conjunction with other diabetes medication to control diabetes. Metformin works at...
Caffeine, a stimulant found in beverages and foods including coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate, works by blocking adenosine, a brain chemical that slows your body down. This results in more energy and alertness. Although caffeine increases...
Blood glucose is an important source of fuel for the body. It is the preferred fuel of the brain and working muscles, and under normal circumstances is readily available in the blood. Glucose starts out as carbohydrate in the diet, and it is...
Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels increase due to problems with a hormone known as insulin. Corticosteroids, also known as glucocorticoids, are a type of prescription medication that can cause patients to develop diabetes, as...
Your body needs glucose to make the energy that allows you to think straight, keep your heart beating and your muscles healthy, and much more. With the help of insulin, your cells absorb glucose from your bloodstream. The amount of glucose in your...
Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to metabolize glucose. It is characterized by high blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes is a temporary diabetic condition that occurs during pregnancy, typically resolving after the...
Blood sugar, or blood glucose, levels are used to monitor people for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels, even when there aren't in the diabetic range, can result in health problems such as cardiovascular problems, stroke and...
Glucose is a sugar, or simple carbohydrate. It is one of the main chemicals typically found in the blood. The digestion of a meal, or breakdown of stored glucose in the liver and muscles, increases glucose levels in the blood. Insulin signals...
Having an elevated blood glucose level increases your likelihood of suffering from cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. There are ways to reduce your blood glucose and thus reduce your risk of a cardiovascular event. Moving toward...
The primary difference between insulin resistance and pre-diabetes is that the insulin resistance causes pre-diabetes. Insulin resistance is a metabolic disorder that causes an increase in blood glucose levels. Pre-diabetes is a newly named...
You may begin a diet or weight-loss program to control elevated levels of blood glucose, the sugar the body uses for fuel. High blood glucose can lead to diabetes, which has numerous complications, including kidney failure, blindness and stroke....
Juvenile diabetes is abnormally high blood sugar and a form of disordered metabolism in young adults. Get expert tips and advice on preventing, diagnosing, and treating juvenile diabetes in this video.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a disease wherein the body does not produce adequate, or any, insulin to control blood sugar, which can result in coma or death if insulin is not delivered into the body regularly. Learn more about diabetes type 1...
