Today, diabetes is a very common disease in people, and over the past decades, the number of people who have diabetes has increased. According to World Health Organization, about 422 million people have diabetes around the globe, and each year around 1.5 million people die due to diabetes. This shows that so many people live with this chronic disease, and to live a longer life, they have to maintain their blood sugar level.
Many of us are not aware of the blood sugar levels that our bodies should have to get diabetes in control. So, in this article, we have explained all about blood sugar levels and the commonly asked questions about them, like what are normal blood sugar levels? Or is 144 and 88 blood sugar levels are normal blood sugar levels?
So, let’s start with all the common questions.
When is the best time to check your blood sugar levels?
The best time to check blood sugar levels is before you have your meal and 1 or 2 hours after your meal. This timing is – after eating the food, the glucose level in the blood increases. Then the hormone name insulin is secreted by the pancreas to regulate the blood glucose level and make it normal in the body by moving glucose to cell tissues for energy. If you have diabetes, the main reasons are- the pancreas is not secreting enough insulin, and insulin is not working in your body properly.
What are normal blood glucose levels?
The normal blood sugar levels vary by age; for adults required blood glucose level is different, and so is for children. Below we have mentioned normal blood glucose levels separately for adults and children.
For adults
Blood glucose level before eating:
The blood sugar levels should be between 70 – 99 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L), higher than that means you have diabetes.
After two or 3hours of eating:
The blood glucose level should be between 120-140 mg/dL, higher than means you have diabetes.
The normal blood glucose level ranges between 72 mg/dL and 108 mg/dL for healthy adults.
For Children
Age up to 6 years –
Before eating the food: Children’s normal blood sugar level should be between 100 mg/dL to 180 mg/dL.
Before sleep: the level should be between 110 mg/dL to 200 mg/dL.
Age between 6 -12 years –
Before eating the food: Children’s normal blood sugar level should be between 90 mg/dL to 180 mg/dL.
Is 144 and 88 is normal Blood glucose levels?
Before eating – 88 mg/dL is normal, and after eating – 144mg/dL is normal for a healthy adult.
How can you maintain your blood glucose level?
- Eat your food on time, and don’t skip your meal. A nutritious breakfast within two hours of waking up, lunch at 12:45 pm, and dinner two or three hours before sleeping.
- Do regular exercise and maintain your weight. Yoga can help, too, if you are not a fan of exercising.
- Eat a healthy diet, always check the glucose level of your food.
- Check your blood glucose and keep a record of it, to know about your blood glucose level.
