What Do We Know about Blood Su

Blood sugar, or glucose, is the main sugar found in your blood. It comes from the food you eat and is your body's main source of energy. Your blood carries glucose to all your body's cells to use for energy.

Diabetes is a disease in which your blood sugar levels are too high.

• In Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesn't make insulin or makes very little insulin. (Insulin helps blood sugar enter the cells in your body for use as energy).
• Type 2 diabetes means that your body doesn't use insulin properly.

• What health problems can diabetes cause?

1. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause complications, including Eye disease.
2. Foot problems.
3. Gum disease and other dental problems.
4. Heart disease and storke.
5. Kidney disease.
6. Nerve problems(diabetic neuropathy.
7. Bladder problems.

If you have diabetes, it is very important to keep your blood sugar numbers in your target range and do a blood test called an HbA1C. It checks your average blood sugar level over the past three months.

HbA1C is a blood test for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. It measures your average blood glucose, or blood sugar, level over the past 3 months. Doctors may use the HbA1C alone or in combination with other diabetes tests to make a diagnosis. They also use the HbA1C to see how well you are managing your diabetes. This test is different from the blood sugar checks that people with diabetes do every day.

Normal range of HbA1C:

• A normal HbA1C level is below 5.7%
• Prediabetes is between 5.7 to 6.4%.
• Type 2 diabetes is above 6.5%
• The HbA1C goal for many people with diabetes is below 7%.
• Treatments

Common treatments include a diabetic meal plan, regular physical activity, and medicines. Some fewer common treatments are weight loss surgery. for either type.

• How do the foods I eat affect my blood sugar levels?

The sugar in your blood comes from certain foods called carbohydrates, such as candy, sweets, sodas, breads, tortillas, and white rice.

Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, making the right food choices is an important way to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level. When you control your blood sugar, you lower your chance of having serious health problems from diabetes, such as vision loss and heart problems. And if you have prediabetes or are at risk for diabetes, eating foods that keep your blood sugar levels healthy may help prevent type 2 diabetes later.

By: Muhammad Muayyad Shukr