What is normal blood glucose level? An old age man asked from his mate in the garden. “Between 70 and 150 mg” His mate replied. Well this may be a matter of conversation between two old age people who had already witnessed 70 springs of their life but not you. But an old adage says “prevention is better then cure”. So in this article we will try to explore what is glucose? What is its purpose in blood? What are potential hazards of excess amount in the blood etc. just read on.

Before we start talking about “Normal blood glucose level” it’s absolutely necessary for us to understand what actually this glucose is and what’s its purpose? Glucose is popularly known as “grape sugar”, “corn sugar” or blood sugar as well. Glucose is major contributor to the energy department of our body and it is essential ingredient for our brain to work properly, and hence its availability influences psychological processes. Glucose mainly enters in our blood through the diet we eat. Glucose is product of primarily two types of carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates include fruits, fruit juices, table sugar, sweets and alcoholic beverages and Complex carbohydrates are usually in the form of starch and include whole grains, nuts, legumes, beans, cereals and breads.

Blood Sugar Range: Blood sugar range in the blood varies from time to time. When we wake up usually in normal condition it is between 80 to 120 mg/dl and rise after meals.

The increased level of blood sugar above 140 mg/dl is considered to be the symptoms of diabetics which is also termed as Hyperglycemia. Excessive urination, Excessive thirst, Dehydration Nausea, and Vomiting are the common symptoms of Hyperglycemia. This can cause damage to nerves, blood vessels and other body organs.

Low level of sugar, below 70 is also dangerous. This low level of blood is also called Hypoglycemia. Shaking, sweating, hunger, Anxiety, dizziness is some symptoms of Hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia directly affects our brain. It reduces our brain’s efficiency to work fast.

Now these diseases are result of our bad habits which have developed over the years like having narcotics, excessive junk food, hectic life style etc. It’s time for us to take corrective measure so that we can protect ourselves from these diseases. But if it’s too late for you now to take those steps then various type of test are available through which you can find,you fall in which category? These tests are:

1. Fasting blood sugar test

2. 2 hour postprandial” blood glucose test

3. Random blood glucose test

4. Glucose tolerance test

The dreadful diabetes is definitely treatable but how if we could actually detect and avoid it in the first step? If taken the right steps at an early stage, we can actually prevent, delay or even cure diabetes completely. Most of the times, diabetes is detected when it has already laid an impact on the body and the damage has already been done.

However, diabetes does warn you that it is arriving but only if you pay attention to its warnings and symptoms and take proper steps in an early stage.

Diabetes can either be of Type 1, Type 2 or the gestational diabetes (that occurs in pregnancy). Type 1 diabetes is caused by a virus that attacks and destroys the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas thus disabling its sugar transporting capacity from the blood to other cells in the body. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type across people and is normally caused due to poor diet, obesity and is also hereditary. It results in a decreased insulin resistance. Gestational diabetes is almost similar to Type 2 diabetes, the only difference being that it is triggered by the hormones of pregnancy.

The top warning signs indicating that diabetes may be around soon are:

1. Frequently going to the bathroom: Excessive urination may be an indication of diabetes as there is too much glucose in the blood. Since the insulin is not effective anymore, the kidneys try to extract water from the blood to dilute the glucose.

2. Weakness and loss of energy: As the insulin is no more effective, the cells are longer able to generate enough energy from the glucose and you tend to feel tired and weak at shorter intervals.

3. Sudden loss of weight: This is an after effect of the second symptom and due to the lack of energy, you can notice a sudden loss of weight. This symptom is more prominent in the Type 1 diabetes and there is a gradual loss of weight in Type 2 diabetes.

4. Numb hands or legs(Neuropathy): Neuropathy is a result of the constant high glucose in the body which affects the nervous system and it normally happens gradually after a few years.

5. Additional symptoms: Itchy or dry skin, infections, cuts and wounds that heal after a long time and blurred vision are also few other symptoms of diabetes. The primary reason for all of them remains the same- increased glucose levels in the body.

Upon battling with the prevalence of diabetes, others are disoriented about the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Just to give a brief perspective between the two, the only margin between these are the involvement of insulin. Insulin is needed by the body to serve as a transport system for blood sugar into the cells, where it is stored for deposits of source of energy. So to give emphasis more in type 2 diabetes, the body does not respond correctly to insulin, or its resistance to insulin is high. As a result, because insulin transports glucose for energy storage, our body will be deprived of the appropriate supply of glucose.

It is said that in type 1 diabetes, the symptoms are often dramatic and come on very suddenly. But likewise, the symptoms of the second type are often subtle and may be attributed to aging obesity. Because type 1 diabetes has a dysfunctional beta-cells which produces glucose, it is derived out of factors like familial and can be recognized in childhood or early adolescence, often in association with an illness or injury. But with type 2, it might be induced out of nutritional imbalance and might be later recognize or might go on for many years without knowing it.

So the symptoms listed of the second type is categorized by advancement of the disease.

1. No early symptoms-having this condition, the person is still unaware of acquiring diabetes

2. Early mild symptoms-include skin infections/diseases like: rashes, athletes foot, candida, thrush, dry itchy skin, poor skin healing, ulcerations, flaking; foot tingling and numbness; peripheral neuropathy; paresthesias; urinary tract infection; poor healing, sexual problems: erectile failure, unusual vaginal dryness, premature menopause, absent periods; poor healing; weight loss or gain; drowsiness; and malaise.

3. Later more extreme symptoms-when blood sugar gets higher, these symptoms occur and can also be manifested in type 1. Excessive thirst, urination and hunger; dehydration; bed wetting for children; weight loss; severe blurred vision;muscle cramps and aches; headaches; irritability; malaise; acne;sexual problems: erectile failure, unusual menstrual periods, and unusual vaginal dryness; persistent fungal skin infections: athletes foot, tinea, and candida.

In diabetes type 2 it is considered as adult-onset diabetes or formerly called non-insulin-dependent. Complication and multiple-factorial metabolic changes very often which leads to damage and function impairment of many organs. This leads to substantially increased mortality and morbidity, but the two types of diabetes have quite different origins and treatment in spite similarity on their complications.