Glucose is transported around the body by the blood, to reach organs and muscles that need fuel. When we are healthy, our bodies regulate glucose levels in the blood by using the hormones insulin and glucagon, which are produced by the pancreas: Insulinlowersblood sugar levels by moving the ...
A glucose spike, also known as a blood sugar spike, is a sharp, marked rise in the amount of glucose in your blood, typically followed by a comparable decline, also known as a dip or crash. While it is normal for your glucose to rise and fall many times throughout the day, a true...
Hypoglycemia is the medical term for when your blood sugar levels drop below the normal range. Low blood sugar can cause various symptoms, but a blood glucose test is the only method to diagnose low blood sugar. One of the most common causes of low blood sugar is medications for treating d...
3. Sudden spikes in blood glucose levels When you eat sugary foods, your blood glucose levels rise quickly. This rapid increase can cause your body to release large amounts of insulin to bring blood sugar back down. These sudden spikes and drops in blood sugar can leave you feeling tired, ...
Brain cells use glucose almost exclusively for their energy needs, and unlike other organs in the body, the brain cannot store glucose for future use. If blood sugarlevels fall, brain function can be immediately compromised. The brain gets its blood supply through four major arteries, the right...
stable. Usually, the body produces more insulin to counteract this, but, for some pregnant people, not enough extra insulin is produced, resulting in blood sugar levels remaining high. As a result, too much glucose remains in the blood, instead of moving to cells where it’s used up as ...
For people with type 1 diabetes, it can also lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious condition that occurs when your body can no longer burn glucose for energy and starts breaking down fats instead. If you have type 1 diabetes and your glucose levels rise above 250 mg/dL, it's important...
(insulinor oral tablets), which results in low blood sugar levels. In this situation, the person experiences dizziness or lightheadedness because the brain lacks glucose to function properly. Individuals with diabetes and their families need to recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia, including ...
To understand a food's complete effect on blood sugar, you need to know both how quickly it makes glucose enter the bloodstream and how much glucose per serving it can deliver. Here's where the glycemic load comes in, and offers a more accurate depiction of a food's impact on your bloo...
bloodstream. Your pancreas is always releasing small amounts of insulin. When the amount of glucose in your blood rises to a certain level, the pancreas will release more insulin to push more glucose into the cells. This causes the glucose levels in the blood (blood glucose levels) to drop...