When people are diagnosed with diabetes, their first question is: What should their blood sugar levels be? Blood sugar or sugar level is the amount of glucose in the blood. Glucose content comes from the food you eat.
A healthy blood sugar level in the morning for everyone, regardless of age or gender, should be below 100 mg/dl. However, because each person’s health history and body function is unique, blood sugar levels can vary based on their diet, medications they use, and other factors.
Low or high blood sugar is associated with prediabetic and diabetic conditions and requires medical attention.
Blood Sugar Levels – An Overview
Your blood sugar levels may be high, low, or normal depending on many factors, such as age, gender, and predisposition or family history.
Mg/dL is the value that expresses sugar or glucose in the blood. Normal sugar level is between 90 and 100 mg/dL. It usually fluctuates during the day and at night. But sometimes, high or low blood sugar levels are symptoms of health conditions that require medical attention.
In such cases, blood glucose monitoring is essential to observe fluctuations in blood glucose levels in response to exercise, medications, and pathological processes.
Normal Blood Sugar Levels by Age
You can calculate blood sugar levels at different times. For example, you can test while fasting or after not eating for more than 8 hours. This is because blood sugar tends to fluctuate for numerous reasons throughout the day, especially after eating.
Ideal Blood Sugar Range for Adults (20 Years and Over)
- 1-2 Hours After Meal: Below 180 mg/dL
- Hunger: Below 100 mg/dL
- Toughness: 100-140 mg/dL
Normal Blood Sugar Range for Women Over 60 Without Diabetes
- Hunger: 90-150 mg/dl
- 2 hours after a meal: less than 180 mg/dl
A blood sugar higher than 180 mg/dL or higher than the prescribed healthy range is dangerous. If your blood sugar is above 300 mg/dL, seek emergency medical attention to bring your blood sugar level into a safer range.
Normal blood sugar ranges vary from person to person. Your doctor will consider factors such as your age, weight, medical history, medications you take, and lifestyle to determine a healthy blood sugar level for you. However, before eating or drinking anything, the normal blood sugar level is between 80 and 110 mg/dL.
Factors Affecting Blood Sugar
Almost every lifestyle choice affects your blood sugar levels. Some of them;
- Vigorous exercise affects insulin sensitivity, resulting in lower blood sugar levels for up to 48 hours.
- Stress releases the hormone cortisol, which can raise blood sugar.
- Some medications, such as statins and diuretics, raise blood sugar.
- Diet also has a potential effect on blood sugar. Eating too many carbohydrates causes high sugar, while protein gradually increases the range.
- Dehydration also increases glucose levels due to less water concentration in the body.
Tips for Maintaining Normal Blood Sugar Levels
Sugar control is extremely important for diabetics. Studies show that diabetes with persistent elevations in blood sugar levels carries an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, vision problems and more.
Having control over blood sugar will help prevent these complications. Here are some lifestyle tips to follow to help control your blood sugar levels;
- Consume whole, minimally processed and low-carb foods to control blood sugar in the body.
- Do it for at least 150 minutes a week if you don’t have any medical restrictions.
- Always stay hydrated, which will help your body excrete excess glucose through urine.
- Take insulin and other medications as directed by healthcare professionals to prevent sudden increases or decreases in blood sugar levels.
