Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects the body’s ability to process sugar. It can be caused by various factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and medical conditions. People with diabetes may experience high blood sugar levels, leading to serious health complications if left untreated.
What are “normal” blood sugar levels and goal ranges for people who don’t have diabetes? How about realistic blood sugar goals and managing insulin for people with diabetes? We’ll explore that in this article.
You must maintain your blood sugar normal range as well as you can, as high sugar levels for extended periods accelerate the risk of diabetes complications developing. Diabetes complications raise the risk of many health problems, which include:
- Kidney disease
- Nerve damage
- Retinal disease
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Limb Amputation
What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
If you are experiencing the below-mentioned symptoms, it is recommended that you see your physician about getting your blood sugar tested:
- You Urinate a lot, frequently at night
- You are Always Feeling very thirsty
- You are Losing weight without working for it
- You always feel hungry
- You have blurred vision
- You always have a tingling sensation or numbness in your hands or feet
- You are Always feeling tired, even when doing small chores
- You Have sores that take a lot of time to heal
- You Have infections, a lot more than usual
How Can You Check Your Blood Sugar?
Use any reputed blood sugar monitor (also known as a glucometer) or a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to check your blood sugar and monitor your diabetes normal range. The blood sugar monitor measures the quantity of sugar in a tiny blood sample, usually taken from your fingertip.
A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a device used to measure your blood sugar levels at much shorter intervals automatically. A sensor is inserted under the skin and takes readings every few minutes. Even if you use a CGM, you will still need to test your blood sugar daily with a meter to ensure that the CGM readings are accurate. The A1C test takes the average blood sugar level spread over the last 2 to 3 months. The goal for people with diabetes is an A1C level of 7% or less.
Normal Blood Sugar Ranges in Healthy Individuals
- The blood sugar normal range when fasting is called the pre-meal blood sugar level. It is the amount of glucose in your blood after going without food for at least 8 hours. For most people without diabetes, the fasting blood sugar level is between 70 mg/dL and 100 mg/dL.
- The blood sugar normal range after a meal is the blood sugar level two hours after ingesting, known as the post-meal or post-prandial blood sugar level. For people without diabetes, it should be below 140 mg/dL.
- The blood sugar normal range at any random time is known as the “random blood sugar level”, which is the amount of glucose in your blood at any given time. For people without diabetes, it should be below 140 mg/dL.
What are Realistic Blood Sugar Goals for People with Diabetes?
People with diabetes have different diabetes range normal goals depending on the type of diabetes, as well as the person’s age, health status, and medications. In general, the goals are:
- Fasting blood sugar: 70-130 Mg/dL
- Post-meal blood sugar level: Below 180 mg/dL
- A1C Test: Less than 7%
How to Keep Your Blood Sugar Level within the Normally Prescribed Range?
The best way to keep your diabetes range normal is to manage your diabetes by planning for the long term. The first step for anyone with type 2 and type 1 diabetes should be getting and maintaining blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication if necessary. Once you are done with that, now is the time to think about the future, which are the long-term goals to help you stay on top and prevent diabetes complications.
- Keep your cholesterol in check
- Quit smoking
- Keeping your eyes healthy
- Preventing problems related to foot
- Managing chronic stress
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Your Blood Sugar Levels aren’t Just Because of What You Put in Your Body
Mainstream media wants you to believe that your diabetes range normal levels are impacted only by what you eat and how much exercise you do, but the people who have diabetes and test their blood sugar levels frequently will tell you otherwise. It’s crucial to remember this when monitoring your blood sugar levels and setting goals because some variables that influence blood sugar are out of your control.
For example:
- Menstrual cycles raise blood sugar and insulin needs.
- The adrenaline rush from sports, intense, passionate arguments, and roller coaster rides raises blood sugar and insulin needs.
- Common colds and various other illnesses usually raise blood sugar levels and insulin needs.
- During puberty and early adulthood, regular hormone level changes occur, which raise blood sugar and insulin needs.
- Any injuries that raise overall inflammation levels increase blood sugar and insulin needs.
- Gluconeogenesis during heavy physical anaerobic exercises raises blood sugar.
Ready to Beat Diabetes?
Controlling and monitoring diabetes range normal levels are very important for people with diabetes. If you have this disease, tracking your blood sugar will help manage serious health complications.
In general, your ultimate goal should be to have a low blood sugar level of about 180 mg/dL in one to 2 hours after you have a dinner or snack. However, normal blood sugar levels vary depending on whether you have diabetes, your age, and any other health conditions.
