Blood sugar level is a great indicator of the body’s overall health. The physicians rely on this heavily to diagnose problems related to gastrointestinal disorders and heart diseases. As blood sugar level is directly affected by the hormonal changes within the body, it is also a good indicator of diseases affecting integral hormonal glands and organs. Blood sugar level can also be used to check if the metabolic activities of the body are going normal.
Blood sugar level can be simply defined as the amount of glucose present in the blood of any individual. For a healthy adult this value lies between 3.8 and 5.6 milli-moles per liter. The sugar level in the blood is maintained by the body through proper regulation via secretions, primarily insulin. This hormone secreted by the pancreas is the prime manager of sugar levels in the blood.
Carbohydrates are the prime source of energy for the human body. Its intake in the form of glucose or starch sustains the metabolic functions of the body. The digestive system extracts glucose from the food and assimilates it throughout the body to the organs which need it. Mitochondria in the cells of these organs and tissues use this highly broken down carbohydrate to produce ATP molecules which provide energy. The glucose present in the blood before it is absorbed by the body constitutes the blood sugar level.
Normally this process goes unhindered without problems. If there is more blood sugar than what the body can use it is deposited into the liver in the form of glycogen. However if there is something wrong with the homeostatic process of the body, the blood sugar level gets unbalanced.
Such a condition if caused due to the low level of insulin is called diabetes type I and if caused due to the resistance of body cells in accepting insulin is called diabetes type II. Both these problems are indicated by an elevated blood sugar level. In such cases, the patient suffers from fatigue and exhaustion as enough glucose is not made available to the cells to process into energy.
In such cases the patient has to undergo medication which is designed to control the blood sugar level. Artificial insulin can help body assimilate the carbohydrates better. Special dietary patterns are also recommended to people with elevated glucose in the blood. They are asked to refrain from eating things which are too sweet. Artificial sweeteners like saccharine are prescribed which do not affect the blood sugar levels.
Taking a little precaution and living with healthy habits can prevent troubles related to the blood sugar level. The simplest solution is to eat healthy, nutritious and balanced food. Regular exercise and activity also helps the body work normally and keeps its metabolism working with fluidity. Imbalance in glucose levels should not be ignored and you must always consult a doctor and get regular checkups. Ignoring this can lead to grave problems which at times are beyond medical help. If proper precaution is taken in due time, this problem can be handled effectively and you can lead a normal fulfilling life.