Testing your blood sugar level is an essential part of your regimen if you're diabetic.
This is especially true if you have Type 1 diabetes, where a sugar count will help you determine how much insulin your body needs at the moment.
Since your body is incapable of producing its own insulin if you have Type 1 diabetes, you will have to supply the right amount of insulin that your body requires.
A blood sugar count is extremely important, particularly because fluctuations in blood sugar level are rather unpredictable with Type 1 diabetes.
If untreated, certain complications might arise, which may lead to a coma or even death.
The Role Of Sugar In The Body Sugar or glucose is the main source of fuel in the body.
Even the brain needs sugar in order to function properly.
However, too much or too little sugar can affect the body in a negative way which necessitates that some effort be made in order to maintain the right amount of sugar in the blood.
If a test indicates a high sugar count, this condition is referred to as hyperglycemia.
A hormone called insulin can help regulate the level of sugar in the blood for healthy people.
For diabetics, however, too much or too little can mean trouble.
Depending on the type of diabetes you have, either the body cannot produce enough insulin or it may not be able to process it properly.
Symptoms Of A High Sugar Count Certain symptoms occur if there is a high level of sugar in the blood.
This includes: frequent urination, thirst (so you drink a lot of water) caused by the loss of fluids through urination, weight loss and generalized fatigue.
To correct this, insulin injections are required.
Getting a high blood sugar count from time to time is not always cause for concern, however but if it's constantly high, it is important that the level is controlled or brought down.
Symptoms Of Low Sugar Count The opposite of a high blood sugar count is hypoglycemia.
This happens when the body receives carbohydrates and there is a sudden increase in blood sugar.
The pancreas reacts by releasing insulin - too much of it.
This clears out the sugar in the blood, which results in a sudden drop in blood sugar levels.
As a result, feelings of hunger are experienced, along with mood swings, loss of energy and generalized weakness.
Another problem with hypoglycemia is the release of the hormone cortisol.
This hormone can increase the body's ability to store fat and break down lean muscle.
Worse, cortisol can actually destroy brain cells.
This makes it important that regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is performed.
This way, hunger cravings are controlled (so you don't eat too much) and you can maintain energy levels consistently.
How A Diabetes Sugar Count Is Performed A blood sugar count can be determined using some diabetic testing kits which include a lancet, a diabetic meter and some control solution.
A lancet, usually a spring loaded device will be used to draw blood.
This sample will be used to measure your sugar count.
The meter will show a reading in numbers and you simply have to compare this reading with a given range of numbers to determine whether your blood sugar count is high, low or within normal range.
At the beginning of your treatment for diabetes, your doctor or health care provider will show you how to perform a proper blood sugar count.
This is necessary to help you understand what your reading will be.
The more you practice, the better you will be at making a reading.
Maintenance Of Your Blood Sugar Testing Kit Since getting an accurate reading is extremely important in determining your blood sugar count, your diabetes testing kit should be taken care of as much as possible.
Lancets and glucose meters have a life span and it's important that you take note of how your testing kit performs.
Wear and tear and constant usage over time will affect the way it works.