For keeping ourselves healthy, it is very important to keep our blood sugar scale within the normal range. Testing our blood sugar tells us how well our treatment plan is working. By keeping our blood sugar close to normal levels, we can reduce the risk of eye disease, kidney and heart disease and other diabetes related health problems.
A blood sugar level greater than 180 mg/dl, one to two hours after the start of meal, or greater than 130 mg/dl before a meal shows that your diabetes is not under good control. Call the doctor to talk about your blood sugar level if you have high blood sugar several times a week. Your goal is a blood sugar of less than 180 mg/dl after a meal.
Blood sugar level in the range of 100 to 140 mg/dl is considered to be the target blood sugar range at bedtime.
Blood sugar level in the range of 90 to 130 mg/dl is considered to be the target "fasting" blood sugar range before we eat.
Blood sugar level in the range of 70 mg/dl or below is considered to be a low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. If your blood sugar is less than 70 mg/dl and you have symptoms, like dizziness, shakiness, sweating and a pounding heartbeat, you have low blood sugar. You have also low blood sugar if your levels are less than 70 mg/dl, even if you have no symptoms. If it is low, eat or drink something sugary. You can take glucose tablets, hard candy or fruit juice. Take rest for 15 minutes and then recheck your blood sugar. If it is still low, eat something sugary again. Rest and then check your blood sugar again. Repeat steps until blood sugar is over 70 mg/dl. Seek medical attention if you get low blood sugar several times a week.
The blood sugar scale will have no effect on arthritis or high blood pressure. The glucose level can have wide variations. If the glucose level is sharply higher than the normal 70 to 100 milligrams per deciliter, it indicates diabetes. If it is sharply lower it indicates hypoglycemia. Both conditions are dangerous and must be remedied. The blood sugar scale will have no effect on arthritis or high blood pressure.