Blood Sugar Levels 2 Hours After Eating Normal

Understanding blood glucose levels should be important to all of us, especially for those who suffer from diabetes or who experience hypoglycemia. Understanding how blood glucose levels work will help a person to be more conscience about food and exercise choices, and can help diabetes sufferers control their condition.

Blood glucose levels, or blood sugar, essentially refers to how much sugar, or glucose, a person has in his or her blood at a given moment. Glucose is used by cells in the body as an energy source. Glucose is picked up in the intestines and carried throughout the body by the bloodstream. With the aid of insulin, cells can then absorb glucose and use it for energy. The normal range in blood glucose levels is between 70 and 125 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL).

The greatest variable that affects blood glucose levels is food. Blood sugar levels are usually at their lowest in the morning, before a person has eaten. Blood sugar levels are usually highest an hour or two after eating a meal. The body’s internal mechanisms that regulate blood sugar levels are usually very effective at maintaining them within the normal range.

For some individuals however, the pancreas fails to produce a sufficient amount of insulin. For others, cells do not properly absorb insulin. The result, in both cases, is an excess of glucose in the bloodstream. Long-term high blood sugar can produce many serious health problems, such as heart disease. It can also cause eye, kidney, and nerve damage. Long-term high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia is usually caused by diabetes.

Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels drop too low. Fortunately, the body usually does a good job at preventing this from happening. Severe hypoglycemia most often occurs in diabetics that are using insulin. Severe hypoglycemia can be very dangerous and even fatal. Symptoms include lethargy, shaking, impaired mental functioning, weakness in arms and legs, pale complexion, sweating and loss of consciousness.

Immediate treatment of hypoglycemia involves restoring blood sugar levels to their normal range. This can be done by eating or drinking something high in carbohydrates. In severe cases, injections are administered that restore blood glucose levels to normal. Diabetics that are taking insulin should make sure they eat regular, well-balanced meals to avoid sudden drops in blood sugar levels.

The term hypoglycemia is often misused in popular culture to refer to a condition that produces symptoms similar to true hypoglycemia, but without low blood sugar levels. Symptoms usually occur a few hours after a meal, and can be treated by consuming small snacks and avoiding excessive sugar intake. This condition is not as dangerous as medical hypoglycemia and is not related to blood glucose levels.

Another factor that affects blood glucose levels is exercise. Exercise can cause blood sugar levels to drop because your body uses glucose to produce energy. Diet and exercise are two important tools for diabetics combating high glucose levels.

After coming to a better comprehension of how blood glucose levels work, many diabetes sufferers have been able to better control their condition. Time spent researching blood sugar levels is well-rewarded, contributing to a longer, healthier life.