All of us know that Diabetes Mellitus is mainly characterized by shooting blood sugar levels, which can cause much trouble unless and until controlled well in time. So how exactly does this disorder affect blood sugar levels?

There is some amount of glucose present in our blood. This is also referred to as ‘serum glucose’ and is measured in mmol/L (millimoles per liter). The level is considered normal at a level fewer than 4-8 units, but may go up immediately after a heavy meal. It could be lesser than 10 mmol/L about one and a half hours after meals and about 8 mmol/L just before bedtime.

How is high blood sugar level harmful to our body?

A steep rise in this delicate blood sugar balance can give rise to many complications, sometimes endangering life itself! Here are some of the consequences of high blood sugar:

• Nerve disorders
• Eye disease
• Kidney dysfunction
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Slow healing of wounds

In the worst case, gangrene can affect the injured part, which might finally have to be amputated.

So now you see just how harmful it can get to neglect this condition, right?!

Type 1 diabetes moves at snail’s pace, so there may be no degeneration setting in for many years. But the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes show up fast and it soon starts showing its complete spectrum of symptoms. The key to keeping healthy with diabetes, therefore, is to keep your blood sugar levels absolutely steady and unwavering!

Keep monitoring your blood glucose levels regularly if you are a diabetic. Talk to your doctor about the frequency of conducting blood tests. He may also advice you to use a convenient home test kit.  No matter what you do, make sure to follow your physician’s advice and keep your blood sugar levels well under control during diabetes.