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Blood sugar level refers to the level of glucose present in your blood. There are other sugars that are present in our body too but they are mostly inert. Glucose serves as the only controlling signal for our metabolic activity and regulation hence the term blood sugar level refers to glucose levels.
The normal blood glucose level is maintained between 4 to 6 mM (mmol/l). The amount of glucose found in circulating blood totals to about 3. 3 to 7 g approximately. Glucose levels are lowest in the morning as the person is on an empty stomach after a full night fast.
The blood sugar levels increase after the person eats. And the levels remain increased by a few grams for about 1 to 2 hours after eating every meal. When the body fails to maintain the normal range of blood sugar level it leads to an increase that is high blood sugar level or decrease that is low blood sugar level in the body.
The commonly used clinical indication of overall blood glucose homeostasis is FBG (fasting blood glucose) level. This is because the body is stable at that time since the person is on an empty stomach. When the person eats, the blood sugar levels change and are not steady so a fasting blood glucose level is checked for a steady count. The blood sugar level is also checked 2 hours after a meal to see the difference in glucose levels in the body and to compare it with fasting blood glucose. This is done to diagnose diabetes.
Blood sugar levels change due to several reasons like excessive stress, an infection that brings down the immunity level and affects the metabolic system, strenuous exercise, and also food intake.
When the blood sugar level drops too low it causes a condition known as hypoglycemia, which can be fatal. There could be brain damage and or the symptoms might include, unconsciousness, lethargy, irritability, improper mental functioning, etc. When the blood sugar level gets too high it causes a condition called as hyperglycemia. If this is for a short duration then the person's appetite is suppressed. However if this condition remains for a long term then the person might experience problems with eyesight, nerve damage, or problems with the kidney. These are the health problem associated with diabetes.
Medical attention is essential in both the cases; when a person's blood sugar level gets too high or too low as in certain cases it might risk a person's life.
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