what is blood sugar
Blood sugar refers to the amount of glucose in the blood and is one of the body’s main sources of energy.
Glucose comes from carbohydrates in our daily food and is released into the bloodstream during digestion.
How to check blood sugar?
A blood glucose test involves drawing a small sample of blood to measure the glucose concentration in it.
This can be done with a home glucose meter or a professional healthcare provider.
A home blood glucose meter is a convenient and rapid tool for detecting blood sugar levels, especially suitable for daily monitoring by diabetic patients.
Blood tests in medical institutions are more accurate, and doctors can use the data to develop more precise treatment plans for patients.
What is the glycemic index?
The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of how quickly a food raises blood sugar.
It compares the extent to which carbohydrates in food cause an increase in blood sugar after digestion and absorption.
The higher the GI value of a food, the faster it will cause blood sugar to rise. Low-GI foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, and legumes, are thought to be more helpful in maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
The dangers of high blood sugar
High blood sugar can cause a range of serious health problems.
First, long-term high blood sugar may damage blood vessels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Second, the effects of hyperglycemia on the kidneys, eyes, and nervous system may lead to nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy.
In addition, high blood sugar may affect the normal function of the immune system and increase the risk of infection.
Therefore, controlling and maintaining blood sugar levels is critical to preventing these potential harms.
Learn about diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease, divided into type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 diabetes is caused by the immune system attacking the pancreatic islet cells that produce insulin, while type 2 diabetes is caused by the body’s resistance to insulin.
People with diabetes need blood sugar monitoring, medication, and lifestyle adjustments to ensure their blood sugar is within the normal range.
diabetes symptoms
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease whose symptoms may vary from individual to individual, but generally include the following common symptoms:
Excessive urination (polyuria), thirst and polydipsia (sexia), hunger (polyphagia), weight loss, blurred vision, weakness and fatigue, susceptibility to infection, slow wound healing.
These symptoms may develop gradually, and some people may not readily notice or attribute them to other causes.
For individuals who may have diabetes, it is critical to pay attention to these symptoms early and seek medical advice.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help slow the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of complications.
8 Ways to Lower Blood Sugar
Before embarking on any new diet or exercise plan, it is recommended to seek the advice of a physician or professional medical team.
The following eight methods, when combined, can help lower blood sugar and slow down the progression of diabetes:
1. Healthy diet
Adopt a balanced diet and choose low GI (glycemic index) foods to slow down the rise in blood sugar.
2. Moderate exercise
Regular aerobic exercise can help improve the sensitivity of cells to insulin and maintain stable blood sugar levels.
3. Control weight
Maintaining an appropriate weight can help reduce insulin resistance and reduce the risk of diabetes.
4. Monitor blood sugar regularly
Monitoring helps to understand blood sugar fluctuations and take timely measures to adjust diet and treatment plans.
5. Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption may affect blood sugar control and increase the risk of diabetes.
6. Good sleep quality
Insufficient sleep may lead to insulin resistance and affect blood sugar levels.
7. Control stress
Long-term stress may cause blood sugar fluctuations and increase the risk of diabetes.
8. Drug treatment
According to the doctor's advice, the rational use of drugs can help stabilize blood sugar levels.