Blood sugar

Blood sugar means the concentration of glucose available in the blood. This glucose comes into the blood from the food we eat. Food items rich in carbohydrates such as rice, bread, cereal, fruits, vegetables and potatoes are the main source of glucose for the body. Glucose from the blood is then made available to various cells in our body for use by a hormone called insulin, which is synthesized in the pancreas. Glucose is essential as it provides the cells in the body with energy to carry out their normal functions. The concentration of blood sugar varies throughout the day and is at its lowest just before meals. The normal blood sugar level in the blood is less than 100mg/dl after fasting or not eating for at least eight hours. And two hours after meals, normal blood sugar level is less than 140mg/dl. High blood sugar level or diabetes is diagnosed if, after 8hours, fasting blood sugar is higher than 126mg/dl or random blood sugar level is higher than 200mg/dl. If the blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet exactly attaining the mark of full-blown diabetes, it is called prediabetes. Any blood sugar level higher than normal is considered harmful to health. Low blood sugar level, also called hypoglycemia, is diagnosed if the blood sugar level is below 70mg/dl. If the blood sugar level falls below 54mg/dl, it is a medical emergency.

CAUSE OF HIGH AND LOW BLOOD SUGAR

Causes of high blood sugar are:-

• Not taking insulin or diabetes medicines on time.
• Consuming more carbohydrates for the amount of insulin taken
• Having an infection
• Suffering from illness
• Being stressed
• Not doing adequate exercise

Causes of low blood sugar are:-

• One is at risk of low blood sugar level when one is having diabetes and taking insulin or other diabetes medications. If a diabetic person takes his/her medication on time but skip meals, eat less or later than normal, performs an unusual physical activity or takes alcohol without enough snacks, he/she is prone to suffer from low blood sugar.
• Medicines such as quinine
• Certain liver or kidney disorders
• An insulin-producing tumor
• Endocrine disorders such as adrenal gland insufficiency
• SYMPTOMS OF HIGH AND LOW BLOOD SUGAR
• Symptoms of high blood sugar are:-
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Infections mainly vaginal and skin infections
• Slow-healing cuts and wounds
• Worsening of vision
• Insensitive feet or erectile dysfunction due to nerve damage
• Chronic constipation or diarrhea
• Damage to eyes, blood vessels and kidneys.
• Symptoms of low blood sugar are:-
• Feeling tired
• Sweating
• Headache
• Hunger
• Feeling nervous or uneasy
• Feeling irritable
• Confusion on thinking
• Blurry vision
• Increased heartbeat

If the blood sugar level falls, too low one may faint, have a seizure or go into a coma.

MANAGEMENT OF HIGH AND LOW BLOOD SUGAR

Management of high blood sugar includes:-

• Monitoring of blood sugar levels regularly as per the doctor’s advice.
• Drink more water- water helps to fight dehydration and removes excess blood sugar through urine.
• Exercise- exercise helps to lower blood sugar levels. Although under certain circumstances, when one is having very high blood sugar levels and ketones in urine, one must avoid physical exercise.
• Change in diet- this includes eating a high-protein and low- carbohydrate diet. Also, one must opt for complex carbohydrates, which take longer to get broken down by the body as compared to simple carbohydrates found in white bread, pasta and sweets, which are broken down fast and increase blood sugar level fast.
• Increasing the intake of fiber in the diet helps to slow down the rate at which carbohydrates are broken down in the body and the rate of sugar absorption in the blood. Healthy fibers are present in food items such as vegetables, legumes, whole grains and fruits, which must be included in the diet.
• Avoid overeating at one go, instead eat in portions as guided by a dietician or doctor.
• Maintaining healthy body weight by eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and regular exercise help to keep blood sugar at an optimum level.
• Having adequate sleep
• Stress management, through meditation and other relaxation techniques, helps to lower blood sugar levels.
• Change in medications as per the doctor’s advice.

Management of low blood sugar

Eat regularly such that no two meals are more than 4-5 hours apart. It is best to take three meals at regular intervals, with snacks in between, as advised.
Check your dose of insulin and other diabetes medicines before taking them.
Consume alcohol only in moderation and keep a check on your blood sugar levels.
Monitor your blood sugar regularly as per the advice of the doctor.

HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF BLOOD SUGAR

Homeopathy has a great role to play in the treatment of abnormal blood sugar levels. Homeopathic medicine for blood sugar is not only effective but also without any side effects. Best medicine for blood sugar in homeopathy is the one most similar to the cause and manifestation of the disease. For this, a trained physician elicits symptoms of the patient from both the mental and physical spheres. Schwabe manufactures the best Homoeopathic medicine for blood sugar in India. It manufactures homeopathic medicine for blood sugar using pure raw materials and adheres to guidelines given in homeopathic pharmacopeia.

Common homeopathic blood sugar medicine names are:-

Gymnema Sylvestre- It is indicated when in diabetes, a patient presents with profuse urine loaded with sugar, the passage of which makes the patient feel very weak. There may also be burning all over the body and diabetic carbuncle.

Syzygium Jambolanum- It helps in the disappearance of sugar in the urine. It is indicated when there is great thirst, profuse urination, weakness, emaciation and prickly heat in the upper part of the body.
Uranium Nitricum-It is indicated when the urine is copious and acidic such that it causes burning in urethra. The patient is not able to retain this urine without pain.