What is glucose? How is it related to diabetes?

When you talk about diabetes, you probably hear the words 'Blood Sugar' or 'Glucose' all the time, right? It's very important to know exactly what glucose is, the energy source for our bodies from the foods we eat, especially if you have diabetes or are at risk of diabetes. So today, let's talk about it simply, A to Z.

What are Glucose and Insulin?

Simply put, glucose is a type of sugar . We get it from the foods we eat, especially foods high in carbohydrates. Our body uses this glucose to provide energy to the cells. When this glucose travels through the blood, we call it "blood sugar" or 'blood sugar'.

Now this is where the role of insulin comes in. Insulin is a hormone produced in our pancreas. Like a key, this insulin is what opens the cells of our body and helps the glucose in the blood enter those cells and create energy.

If you have been diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus, it means that your blood glucose levels are higher than normal. There are two possible reasons for this:

1. Either your body doesn't produce enough insulin to move the glucose in the blood into the cells.

2. Or, even though insulin is present, your body's cells do not respond properly to it (Insulin Resistance).

How do we get glucose into our bodies?

Many of the foods we eat, especially those rich in carbohydrates such as bread, rice, potatoes, and fruit, contain glucose. After we eat, the food goes into the stomach and is broken down into small pieces by enzymes and acids. This process releases glucose.

Then, this glucose goes to the intestines and is absorbed into the blood. That's when the hormone insulin comes in and helps send this glucose into the cells.

Energy and storage: What happens to glucose inside the body?

Our bodies are designed to maintain a constant level of glucose in the blood. When blood glucose levels rise after we eat, special cells (beta cells) in the pancreas produce insulin. This insulin opens the door for glucose to enter muscle, fat, and liver cells.

The main fuel of the brain

Although most cells in our body use glucose, amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), and fat for energy, our brain's main fuel is glucose.Glucose is essential for processing information for nerve cells and chemical messengers in the brain. Without glucose, our brain cannot function properly.

Storing extra energy

After the body uses up the energy it needs, the remaining glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as small bundles called glycogen . Our body can store about the energy it needs for a day in this way.

Imagine that you haven't eaten for a few hours. Your blood glucose level drops. At that point, the pancreas stops producing insulin and starts producing another hormone called glucagon . This glucagon signals the liver to convert stored glycogen back into glucose. That glucose then enters the bloodstream, providing the body with energy until you eat again.

Blood Glucose and Diabetes

It is normal for blood sugar levels to rise after eating and then fall again a few hours later. A healthy person's fasting blood sugar level should be less than 100 mg/dL.

But if you have diabetes, your body cannot process this properly.

There are two main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 Diabetes: In this type of diabetes, the body's immune system mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, causing the body to not produce enough insulin.
• Type 2 Diabetes: In this condition, the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin. As a result, the pancreas has to produce more and more insulin to allow glucose to enter the cells. Over time, the pancreas may become weak and unable to produce enough insulin.

When there is not enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood instead of entering the cells. A blood glucose level greater than 200 mg/dL 2 hours after a meal or greater than 125 mg/dL when fasting is called hyperglycemia .

How to measure blood sugar levels?

The two most common methods are:

1. Fingerstick Test: A small amount of blood is taken from the tip of the finger using a lancet, placed on a test strip, and measured with a glucose meter. You can see your current blood sugar level in a few seconds.

2. Continuous Blood Glucose Monitor (CGM): A small sensor is implanted under the skin, usually in the arm or abdomen. It continuously measures your blood sugar levels by monitoring the fluid between cells and transmits the data to a device such as a phone app.

What is the A1c test?

The A1c test (HbA1c test) is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months.

When glucose enters the bloodstream, it attaches to hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen in the blood. The A1c test measures how much of the hemoglobin in your blood is covered with sugar (glycated). The higher the blood glucose, the higher your A1c value.

What are the causes of low blood sugar levels (Hypoglycemia)?

Hypoglycemia is a condition in which blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg/dL. This can quickly become a medical emergency. There are several reasons why this can happen.

• Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach.
• Taking more insulin or other diabetes medications than necessary.
• Skipping meals.
• Exercising more than usual.
• Hormonal changes (e.g. monthly menstruation).

What do you do when your sugar level drops?

You can follow the "15-15 rule" recommended by the American Diabetes Association:

1. Eat or drink 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates (e.g. 3 teaspoons of sugar/glucose, 1 tablespoon of honey).

2. Wait 15 minutes .

3. Check your blood sugar again. If it is still below 70 mg/dL, take another 15 grams of carbohydrates.

4. Repeat this until the sugar level returns to normal.

What are the causes of high blood sugar levels (Hyperglycemia)?

A blood sugar level above 180 mg/dL is called hyperglycemia. There are several reasons for this.

• Not taking enough insulin or other medications.
• Lack of physical activity.
• An illness (e.g. cold, flu) or infection.
• Stress.
• Eating more than planned.

When should you go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)?

If your blood sugar level is 300 mg/dL or higher twice in a row , call your doctor immediately.

Untreated hyperglycemia can lead to life-threatening ketoacidosis , or diabetic coma. Go to a hospital's emergency department (ETU) immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

• A fruity smell on the breath.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Excessive dryness of the mouth.
• Difficulty breathing.

It is very important to keep your blood sugar levels within the right range. Follow your doctor's instructions. Check your blood sugar levels regularly. With exercise, a balanced diet, and prescribed medications, you can live a healthy life.