What are the risks of high and low blood sugar, what are normal glucose levels and what’s the range for diabetics?

GLUCOSE is the primary source of energy, so critical for humans, but having too much or too little in the blood stream can be dangerous.

Glucose levels (or blood sugar levels) are therefore monitored, and those suffering with diabetes must take extra precaution – here’s how they are tested, and what happens if they get too high or low.

What are normal glucose levels?

Blood sugar levels are measured in molar concentration (millimoles per litre).

For non-diabetics, the normal level is around 5.5 mmol/L, but this fluctuates throughout the day.

People with diabetes should keep their levels between 7.2 mmol/L before meals, and never more than 10 mmol/L after meals.

Eating meals (especially those with a high carbohydrate content) cause the blood glucose level to rise, and in between meals, it tends revert to normal.

Drinking alcohol causes it to increase and then fall, and taking drugs also affects blood sugar levels.

What are the risks of low blood sugar?

Early signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) include:

• Feeling hungry
• Feeling tired
• Feeling shaky, dizzy, or irritable

If not treated, you may start to feel weak, slur your speech, or become clumsy (similar to being drunk), and it can even cause seizures or fainting.

Diabetics may experience it if they’ve taken too much diabetes medication, skipped meals, partaken in sudden exercise, or binge drinking.

For non-diabetics, it can still occur for similar reasons, or by taking other medication.

What are the risks of high blood sugar?

High blood sugar (Hyperglycaemia) is a common problem for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms include:

• Feeling thirty
• Frequently needing to pee
• Feeling tired
• Blurred vision
• Weight loss

It can be caused by stress, illness, overeating, not drinking enough water, not exercising, or missing doses of diabetes medication.

It can affect people without diabetes, but they would usually be seriously ill, such as suffering from a stroke or heart attack.

We’ve also revealed everything you need to know about cholesterol – from what is a safe level, to how to lower it.

And here are the secrets to feeling younger, from an ancient diet to the latest apps.

Or, check out our healthy wall planner for 2018, to get you on track to a healthier lifestyle.