The ideal blood sugar level is one that isn’t in the low or high range. People in this range are considered to have healthy normal blood glucose levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Generally, maintaining a normal blood sugar range isn’t exactly difficult under optimal circumstances where people maintain healthy lifestyle choices, inherit healthy genes, and exercise regularly. However, this is mostly not the case, and as such, millions of people experience low and high blood sugar temporarily and permanently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main factor responsible for blood sugar levels is glucose — a simple sugar obtained mainly from carbohydrates. Most carbohydrates have this sugar save for a distinct few that fall under the fiber class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding blood sugar levels, starchy carbs and sugary carbs are categorized as “bad carbs” because they’re the main source of glucose. On the other hand, fiber is grouped as “good carbs” because not only do they not contain glucose, but they also regulate high glucose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Glucose is generally a necessity and a major source of energy. As long as a person eats just enough glucose, they’re highly unlikely to have low blood sugar levels. However, there’s also the task of not consuming the so-called “bad carbs,” as that’ll lead to too much glucose in the bloodstream and cause high blood sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Measuring blood sugar or glucose level can be done at different times. It could be before a meal, after a meal, or before sleep. However, different tests exist with respect to the time choice. For example, the fasting blood glucose test is a blood sugar test performed before eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Determining whether you have a normal blood glucose level depends on certain factors at a particular time. For example, a person that just finished an exercise and performed a test will have a significantly different blood glucose range from what they’re supposed to have due to that activity at a particular time. So, one must consider these factors before performing a test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the major factors that affect blood sugar and could cause a shift in a low or high mg\/dL measurement include:<\/p>\n\n\n
- Food consumed, the time, and the quantity<\/li>
- The physical activity level<\/li>
- Drugs and medications<\/li>
- Medical conditions<\/li>
- Stress (majorly physical)<\/li>
- Age<\/li>
- Dehydration (poor water consumption)<\/li>
- Menstruation and hormonal change in women<\/li>
- Illness<\/li>
- Alcohol<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n
Considering these factors, the best time to have a blood sugar test is in the morning, around 9 a.m. More importantly, you should ensure you have woken about two hours before the test time, haven’t done any exercise, nor had any meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding the Blood Sugar Level Chart<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"chart](\"https:\/\/klinio.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2020\/09\/blood-sugar-level-chart-1.png\")
The average blood sugar level for all ages is 100 mg\/dL, and this is the expected range in the morning before food intake. There’ll be a fluctuation in the range as other factors mentioned above come into play, so experts suggest this range is the average for a normal human.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHowever, for specificity, the following sections consider blood sugar level ranges for different age groups:
<\/p>\n\n\n\nHealthy Blood Sugar Levels in Children Younger Than 6 Years<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For children below 6 years of age, their healthy blood sugar levels range between 80 to 200 mg\/dL, depending on the time of the day and the particular activities they must have undergone. The chart for a normal healthy blood sugar level is outlined below:<\/p>\n\n\n\nTesting Time<\/strong> | Blood Glucose Level (mg\/dL)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fasting | 80–180<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before Meal | 100–180<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1–2 hours after Eating | ~180<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bedtime | 110–200<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Healthy Blood Sugar Levels in Children Aged 6–12 Years<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The adolescence category comprises children of age 6–12 years. The normal blood sugar level for adolescents differs slightly from that of kids, as seen below:<\/p>\n\n\n\nTesting Time<\/strong> | Blood Glucose Level (mg\/dL)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fasting | 80–180<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before Meal | 90–180<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1–2 hours after Eating | Around 140<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bedtime | 100–200
<\/p>\n\n\n\nHealthy Blood Sugar Levels in Teenagers Aged 13–19 Years<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Teenagers have an age range of 13–19 years. This age category’s normal blood range levels are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\nTesting Time<\/strong> | Blood Glucose Level (mg\/dL)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fasting | 70–150<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before Meal | 90–130
1–2 hours after Eating Around | 140<\/p>\n\n\n\nBedtime | 90–150<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Healthy Blood Sugar Levels in Adults aged 20 Years and Above<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The normal blood range level for people in the age category of 20 years+ ranges from 100 to 140 mg\/dL. Anything lower or higher than that falls under low or high blood sugar, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This particular age category experiences the highest fluctuations in blood sugar more than any other category. Therefore, people in this category are often advised to take a test. Here’s an overview of what the standard blood glucose values for this age group look like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Testing Time<\/strong> | Blood Glucose Level (mg\/dL)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fasting | <100<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before Meal | 70–130<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1–2 hours after Eating | <180<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bedtime | 100–140<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keeping a normal blood sugar level is essential to living a healthy life free from many sugar-related issues. However, in reality, most people find it challenging to maintain a healthy blood glucose range because of their meal choice and certain healthy practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the United States alone, the number of people with abnormal blood sugar sits in the millions, further underscoring the severity of abnormal sugar levels, especially high blood sugar levels. Namely, the CDC reveals that up to 100 million US adults have diabetes or prediabetes<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As stated before, people who have problems maintaining a healthy blood sugar level either experience low blood sugar or high blood sugar. The two conditions have health effects with varying complications, significant enough to be life-threatening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The subsequent sections consider the effects of these two abnormal blood sugar cases, their effects, and why people should seek to maintain a healthy normal blood sugar level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Low Blood Sugar — Hypoglycemia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"low](\"https:\/\/klinio.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2020\/09\/low-blood-sugar-1.png\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\nLow blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, is an abnormal blood glucose level that falls below the standard outlined for the different categories at different times. It generally ranges from 70 mg\/dL down to 0 mg\/dL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hypoglycemia isn’t as prevalent as hyperglycemia<\/a>, and it’s often easier to experience the latter than the former. Nevertheless, it does happen and usually demands serious medical concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Causes of Low Blood Sugar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As already stated, hypoglycemia is one of the abnormalities of blood sugar levels, and it holds many risks. Generally, hypoglycemia occurs due to certain medical and deliberate factors that the following sections highlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Genetics<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Genetics is the major cause of hypoglycemia in people. A person who has a relative or a long ancestry of hypoglycemia could also be vulnerable to the condition. This particular concern is why it’s crucial to conduct a blood sugar test as often as possible because the effect of low blood sugar may come as a shock when it happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medications<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Several drugs and medications usually hold the risk of causing low blood glucose. These drugs may initially be administered to drop blood sugar for people that struggle with spikes, e.g., insulin and sulfonylureas like glimepiride. However, due to consistent and lack of adherence to time schedules of taking the drugs, people may experience a drop below the recommended range.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOther drugs can also lead to a fall in blood sugar levels, even if they aren’t meant to minimize spikes in blood glucose levels. These drugs could trigger a dip when they interact with other drugs. They include beta-blockers like propranolol (when taken in overdose) and antiarrhythmic drugs like quinidine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apart from oral drugs, other forms of medications like injections can also cause a decrease in blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avoidance of Calorie-Rich Food<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If blood sugar spikes are a challenge, avoiding calories is an incredibly effective option. However, for a person that naturally has a good blood range, consistently slashing out simple sugar can lead to a drop in sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor people that struggle with maintaining the minimum healthy range of blood sugar levels, the most effective option is to moderately include foods that have simple sugars with more healthy food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms of Hypoglycemia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are several symptoms that people with low blood sugar get to experience, and they include:<\/p>\n\n\n- Lightheadedness<\/li>
- Dizziness<\/li>
- Irritability<\/li>
- Shakiness<\/li>
- Nervousness<\/li>
- Anxiety<\/li>
- Chills<\/li>
- Sweating<\/li>
- Pale Skin<\/li>
- Clamminess<\/li>
- fast heart rate\/beat<\/li>
- Pale Skin<\/li>
- Hunger<\/li>
- Fainting<\/li>
- Sleepiness<\/li>
- Tingling lips<\/li>
- Shock<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n
Among these symptoms, sweating, lightheadedness, and dizziness are the early signs of excessively low sugar. If you experience multiple forms of these conditions, the next step will be to conduct a test to determine what you’re experiencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
High Blood Sugar — Hyperglycemia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"high](\"https:\/\/klinio.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2020\/09\/high-blood-sugar-1.png\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\nHigh blood sugar level is the more popular condition that people with blood sugar range abnormality experience. This condition is characterized by a rise in blood glucose levels that lasts for hours and even days. High blood sugar is typically something to worry about because it can trigger more serious conditions, like diabetic retinopathy, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Causes of High Blood Sugar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are many factors responsible for a rise in blood sugar, and they include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Genetics<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
People with an ancestral history of diabetes are more likely to have diabetes than people with healthier ancestry. Many studies, including twin studies, prove this possibility, making genes a major cause and risk factor of diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Excessive Carb Intake<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Eating carb-filled foods consistently is one of the major causes of high blood glucose. Simple sugars usually lead to a rise in blood glucose, and most carbs that are available for food have many simple sugars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lack of Exercise<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
An unhealthy lifestyle and lack of fitness in people with weight could lead to blood sugar spikes. Exercising helps the body use glucose faster and leaves the heart circulating blood more effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Irregular Eating Time<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Irregular eating time can cause a blood spike. Eating just anything at any time usually leads to a shock in the body system, which could cause a sudden rise in people vulnerable to blood sugar increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stress<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Stress could be physical, psychological, or emotional. However, the strain it causes usually leaves the body responding with a rise in glucose levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStress-induced blood sugar rise is often temporary. However, continuous exposure to the cause of the stress can build up a particular pattern of blood sugar rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Negative Medication Interaction<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Certain medications could interact badly and cause a blood sugar spike. While these effects are temporary and are only a concern as long as the two drugs are taken, it can be dangerous if the medications are needed for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hyperglycemia Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The symptoms of high blood sugar include<\/p>\n\n\n- Fatigue<\/li>
- Frequent urination<\/li>
- Headaches<\/li>
- Blurred Vision<\/li>
- Difficulty concentrating<\/li>
- Thirst<\/li>
- Weight gain<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n
A rise in high blood sugar can trigger more severe complications, the most common being diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Link Between High Blood Sugar and Diabetestes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Consistent high blood sugar increases will generally develop into worse complications such as prediabetes<\/a> and diabetes<\/a>. Diabetes is one of the major conditions that people who experience high blood sugar can develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Namely, diabetes as a condition could be a pathway for worse complications like heart disease, kidney disease, or stroke. On its own, it’s the cause of death for millions of people globally, triggering approximately 1.5 million deaths worldwide<\/u> and ranking as the ninth leading cause of death in 2019. Moreover, the world saw a 5% spike in premature mortality due to diabetes between 2000 and 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diabetes is considered by experts a growing concern, and the continuous rise in unhealthy lifestyles and foods has only seen the number of diagnosed diabetics grow higher. The main age category that experiences diabetes from high blood sugar are adults above the age of 44. However, other younger populations are also open to the condition, provided they’re genetically vulnerable and lead an unhealthy lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"preventing](\"https:\/\/klinio.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2020\/09\/preventing-1.png\")
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