Have you ever been confused about how your blood sugar might affect normal levels as you age? Because blood sugar levels are key to overall well-being, controlling blood sugar helps maintain optimal levels. As it turns out, these vary for many reasons, which could lead to complications in healthy and aging people. Additionally, figuring all of this out on your own can be challenging, especially if you haven’t monitored your blood sugar levels before. So read on for a simple guide to understanding what blood glucose levels are considered normal in older adults.
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What factors could affect normal blood sugar levels in old age
Seniors who are struggling to maintain healthy blood sugar levels need to closely monitor their numbers, activities, and daily diet. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause fainting, memory problems, and even death in some cases. However, over time, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can also lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes, nervous system and heart. For example, when people consume carbohydrates, blood sugar levels rise as the carbohydrates enter the bloodstream. In response to this fast sugar, the body releases insulin from the pancreas, which allows the cells to use the carbs for energy.
Seniors with hypoglycemia may have released too much insulin or gone too long without eating. When the body doesn’t have enough energy to function, it quickly shuts down. For example, blood glucose levels below 70 mg/dL are considered hypoglycaemic. As a result, seniors with hyperglycemia often have diabetes. When this happens, your body may no longer produce insulin (type 1 diabetes) or use insulin effectively for energy (type 2 diabetes). Since high blood sugar levels can damage the various organs in the body over time, it is therefore important to keep blood sugar levels within a normal range.
Normal blood glucose levels for seniors
The normal ranges for blood sugar levels are between 70 and 130 mg/dL before meals or in the fasted state. For this reason, diabetologists recommend that seniors have a blood sugar level of less than 180 mg/dL two hours after eating. However, not all older people have the same care needs. This means they don’t all need the same type of home care. In addition, seniors should make sure to focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and strong social bonds.
Blood sugar level control
To help maintain normal blood glucose levels in old age, elderly people with hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia should continuously monitor their levels with home blood glucose meters. These monitors can be designed for single use or permanent use. With a disposable monitor, a senior puts a test strip into the monitor and then pricks his finger with a lancet. The blood is applied to the test strip and the meter gives a blood glucose reading within seconds. Those who have trouble maintaining their blood sugar levels may need to use continuous blood glucose meters. These monitors continuously check blood glucose levels and alert the user when levels are too high or too low.
Regardless of how you measure your blood sugar, you should keep a log of your fasting, pre-meal, and post-meal states. The doctor can then use these numbers to formulate a treatment plan that is most appropriate for that individual. So, if you’re looking to manage your health, consider getting regular blood sugar checks. This helps you with a variety of daily tasks and gives you the opportunity to focus on other personal tasks or to take some time off.
Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels
You can keep your blood sugar levels stable by exercising, eating a healthy diet, and taking prescription medications or insulin. Here are a few tips for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels:
- Eat a healthy breakfast rich in fiber and protein within an hour of waking to help prevent hypoglycemia.
- Always include healthy fats, protein, and fiber with every meal. This slows down the digestion process and the number of carbohydrates released into the bloodstream, keeping blood sugar levels stable.
- Exercise regularly to burn off extra blood sugar.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks like cola, sports drinks, and juices, as they quickly raise blood sugar levels.
- Keep a supply of candy on hand in case your blood sugar levels plummet. If you have hypoglycemia, you should have a sugary snack or drink as soon as possible and check your blood sugar levels again.
Maintaining a high quality of life can be a real challenge for some seniors. However, following some healthy habits can help them reach normal levels in old age with unstable blood sugar. In addition, it can increase your chances of living longer and healthier lives.
