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What is blood glucose?
Blood glucose, or blood sugar, is the main sugar found in your blood. It is your body's primary source of energy. It comes from the food you eat. Your body breaks down most of that food into glucose and releases it into your bloodstream. When your blood glucose goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells to be used for energy.
What is diabetes?Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose levels are too high. When you have diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin, can't use it as well as it should, or both. Too much glucose stays in your blood and doesn't reach your cells. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause serious health problems (diabetes complications). So if you have diabetes, it's important to keep your blood glucose levels within your target range.
What are blood glucose targets?If you have diabetes, your blood glucose target is the range you try to reach as much as possible. The typical targets are:
- Before a meal: 80 to 130 mg/dL
- Two hours after the start of a meal: Less than 180 mg/dL
Your blood glucose targets may be different, depending on your age, any additional health problems you have, and other factors. Talk with your health care team about the best target range for you.
When and how should I check my blood glucose?If you have diabetes, you'll likely need to check your blood glucose every day to make sure that your blood glucose numbers are in your target range. Some people may need to check their blood glucose several times a day. Ask your health care team how often you need to check it.
The most common way to check your blood glucose level at home is with a blood glucose meter. A blood glucose meter measures the amount of glucose in a small sample of blood, usually from your fingertip.
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is another way to check your glucose levels. Most CGM systems use a tiny sensor that is inserted under your skin. The sensor measures your glucose level every few minutes. It can show changes in your glucose level throughout the day and night. A CGM system is especially useful for people who take insulin and have problems with low blood glucose.
Your provider will also check your blood glucose with a blood test called an A1C. It checks your average blood glucose level over the past three months. People with diabetes usually have an A1C test at least twice a year. But you may need the test more often if you aren't meeting your diabetes treatment goals.
What happens if my blood glucose level becomes too high?High blood glucose is called hyperglycemia. Symptoms that your blood glucose levels may be too high include:
- Feeling thirsty
- Feeling tired or weak
- Headaches
- Urinating (peeing) often
- Blurred vision
If you often have high blood glucose levels or symptoms of high blood glucose, talk with your health care team. You may need a change in your diabetes meal plan, physical activity plan, or diabetes medicines.
High blood glucose may also be caused by other conditions that can affect insulin or glucose levels in your blood. These conditions include problems with your pancreas or adrenal glands.
What happens if my blood glucose level becomes low for me?Hypoglycemia, also called low blood glucose, happens when your blood glucose level drops below what is healthy for you. For many people with diabetes, this means a blood glucose reading lower than 70 mg/dL. Your number might be different, so check with your health care team to find out what blood glucose level is low for you.
Symptoms of low blood glucose tend to come on quickly. The symptoms can be different for everyone, but they may include:
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Irritability or confusion
- Dizziness
- Hunger
Low blood glucose levels can be common in people with type 1 diabetes and people with type 2 diabetes who take certain diabetes medicines. If you think you may have low blood glucose, check your level, even if you don't have symptoms. Low blood glucose can be dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible.
Although it's rare, you can still get low blood glucose without having diabetes. The causes can include conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, and hormone deficiencies (lack of certain hormones). Some medicines, such as certain heart medicines and antibiotics, can also cause it. See your provider to find out the cause of your low blood glucose and how to treat it.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Home Remedies for Check
Take 200 to 400 mg of active elemental magnesium before the onset of a headache. Check with your doctor first if you have kidney problems.ThomasFuh | November 5th, 2017
Felter's Materia Medica on Check
The bark and prepared resinous exudate of Tsuga canadensis, Carriére (Abies canadensis, Michaux; Pinus canadensis, Linné). (Nat. Ord.... / ...lammations. Therapy.External. A strong decoction of the bark is a satisfactory astringent for the checking of leucorrhoea and a good local application of this type for aphthous and other oral ulcera... / ...be used where there is excessive secretion of mucus and the cough is largely precipitated by a feeble and relaxed state of the uvula and fauces. 1
The flower-heads of Anthemis nobilis, Linné, (Nat. Ord. Compositae). Collected from cultivated plants. Common Names: Roman Chamomile, Chamomile,... / ... flatus; the hot infusion to relieve colds due to sudden cutaneous chilling, and in dysmenorrhea to check pain and facilitate the flow. The oil may be employed for a like purpose, and for intestinal c...1
The root of Asclepias tuberosa, Linné (Nat. Ord. Asclepiadaceae). United States and Canada. Dose, 5 to 60 grains. Common Names: Pleurisy Root,... / ...seases asclepias is useful to control cough, pain, temperature, to favor expectoration, and restore checked perspiration. When cough is dry and there is scant bronchial secretion, asclepias stimulates...1
The seeds of Caffea arabica, Linné (Nat. Ord. Rubiaceae). Native of Arabia-Felix and Ethiopia; and extensively cultivated in Asia and America... / ...uralgic headache when the face is pale. Strong coffee sometimes cuts short an attack of asthma, and checks hiccough. It is the most refreshing stimulant that can be used in the exhaustion of low fever... / ...preferably without sugar or cream; for use in narcotic poisoning very strong, black coffee may be given freely, both by mouth and per rectum.1
The ripe fruit, dried, of Capsicum frutescens, Linné (Nat. Ord. Solanaceae). Tropical America; also cultivated in most tropical countries. Dose, 1 to 2 grains. Common Names: Cayenne... / ...st complete suppression of natural secretions, we would be at a loss without capsicum. It sometimes checks a congestive chill, and1
...y added to poultices and is an ingredient of some tooth powders. A rectal injection of charcoal has checked hemorrhage from the bowels. Internal. Its absorbent and deodorant properties make charcoal a......ed in enema, 1/2 to 1 drachm, finely powdered, to 4 ounces of water, thrown up the rectum. Why this checks it I can not tell; that it does it I have the evidence of my own eyes. For several years I ha...1
...h it. In menorrhagia, even when due to fibroids and polypi, it has had the effect of intermittently checking the waste: but only a surgical operation is the rational course in such cases. Other hemorr...... the emergency, then a small hypodermatic injection of morphine and atropine sulphates will usually check the bleeding. When used with ergot in pulmonary hemorrhage probably more relief comes from the......en entirely satisfactory. Hemorrhages from the stomach, bowels, and renal organs are often promptly checked by the timely administration of cinnamon.1
The alkaloid obtained from the leaves of Duboisia myoporoides, Robert Brown (Nat. Ord. Myoporaceae), the Corkwood elm or Ngmoo of Australia and... / ...ctive antagonist of muscarine and has been successfully employed in poisoning by mushrooms. It also checks colliquative sweating. It is reported prompter in action than atropine, and is said to be a b... / ...especially vomiting without previous nausea, and undoubtedly decreases the secretion of urine, hence it should be used with care and judgment.1
The leaves and tops of Epilobium angustifolium, Linné, and Epilobium palustre, Linné (Nat. Ord. Onagraceae). North America. Dose, 10 to 60... / ...p or army diarrhoea; and in domestic practice it is in common use in some parts of the country to check the summer diarrheas of young children mucoenteritis, enterocolitis, gastro-enteritis, and c... / ...preparation. It may be prepared in the usual way, and aromatized with essence of peppermint and preserved with a small quantity of glycerin.1
The whole plant of Erigeron canadense, Linné (Nat. Ord. Compositae). A common and troublesome weed through the northern and central parts of the... / ...a, or so-called diabetes insipidus. The oil of erigeron is a good internal hemostatic. It sometimes checks quite severe uterine hemorrhages, and for very small oozings of blood it is one of the very b...1
An extract prepared from the leaves and twigs of Ourouparia Gambir (Hunter), Baillon (Nat. Ord. Rubiaceae). Sumatra, Ceylon, and countries... / ... powerfully astringent. It restrains excessive discharges, overcomes relaxation and congestion, and checks local hemorrhages. Gambir is now used in place of catechu (extract of wood of Areca Catechu) ... / ...castor oil is advised, to be followed by the gambir alone, or with camphorated tincture of opium. It is seldom used in modern Eclectic practice.1
The rhizome of Geranium maculatum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Geraniaceae). Common in the rich soils of woods and low grounds in the United States. Dose, 5... / ...for the medicinal relief of curable cases. They restrain hypersecretion, correct excessive acidity, check hemorrhage, and relieve pain; sometimes healing appears to progress rapidly under their influe...1
The rhizome of Chamaelirium luteum, Gray (Helonias dioica, Pursh)-(Nat. Ord. Liliaceae). Abundant in woodlands, meadows, and wet places in some... / ...njections are used locally. Helonias is said to correct sexual lassitude in both sexes, and to have checked nocturnal losses due to excesses and associated with enfeebled body, impaired memory, and me... / ...It is also said to relieve the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, to prevent miscarriages, and to correct gastric complications of albuminuria.1
The strobiles of Humulus Lupulus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Urticaceae). Europe and Asia; common in cultivation. Common Names: Hops, Hop. Principal... / .... Internal. This is a remedy to relieve nervous excitability in fevers and to induce sleep. It also checks fermentation of the stomach contents and thus proves useful in fermentative dyspepsia with ac...1
... of difference which make some variation in effects. Thus hyoscine (scopolamine) acts somewhat as a check upon its associated hyoscyamine in the parent drug, the latter alkaloid being more closely all......amine in the parent drug, the latter alkaloid being more closely allied to atropine in action. This check upon the latter makes hyoscyamus less excitant and less furiously deliriant than its congeners...1
Physician's Materia Medica on Check
Astringent. Perhaps the most eflicient styptic we have for in ternal hemorrhages. Used also in chronic diarrhea and dysentery. in night sweats and for checking profuse bronchial secretion. Local ly applied it is astringent and has a soothing effect in chronic eczema and in poisoning by Rhus. Dose, 0.06 to 0.50 Grm. (1 to 8 grs.).2
References
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.