What should a person's blood sugar be? Blood sugar level: permissible norm on an empty stomach, measurement methods

Today the human way of life is such that it contributes to the development of many various diseases. One of them is diabetes mellitus, which affects both women and men, regardless of age.

Among representatives of the fair sex who are in their senior years age group, the disease is often detected quite late and has its own characteristics that you need to know about in order to maintain health.

General information

The female body is a fragile system, influenced by a large number of hormones. All processes in it are interconnected, and any violations necessarily manifest themselves. One sign that something is happening to the body is an increase in blood glucose levels.

IN modern society people are forced to live at high speed and somehow adapt to it. Frequently consuming large amounts of easily digestible carbohydrates helps with this. Ecology, stress, general state health and many other factors.

As a result of the complex impact of unfavorable factors, many women develop persistent lipid metabolism disorders in old age, which greatly increases the load on the pancreas. Namely, this small organ is responsible for the production of insulin, which controls blood glucose levels.

Women have prerequisites for development diabetes mellitus They begin to form in childhood, when incorrect eating habits appear. With age, when the body is no longer able to compensate negative impacts, decompensation develops, which is characterized by an increase in glucose levels and the appearance of symptoms of diabetes mellitus.

Important!

Diabetes mellitus mainly develops in females after 60 years of age.Type II. DiseaseType I is more common in young people.

Normal blood sugar

It is important to understand that normal blood glucose levels are standard for all people, regardless of their gender, age and ethnicity. It is represented by a fairly wide range, where the minimum starts from 3.3 mmol/l, and the maximum is limited to 5.5 mmol/l. Today, promotions are often allowed upper limit norms up to 6 mmol exactly, depending on the general condition of the patient.

The normal limits in women may shift slightly under the influence age-related changes, occurring in the body, and hormonal fluctuations. For example:

• girls under 14 years of age are more likely to have a reading between 3.3 mmol/l and 5.5 mmol/l;
• for representatives of the fair sex from 14 years old to 60 years old, the norm is at a level of 4.1-5.9 mmol/l;
• after the age of 60 years, the normal value is 6.0 mmol/l, but minor deviations up or down are possible.

If your blood glucose level constantly increases with age, this is normal. Another thing that needs to be done comprehensive assessment the woman’s general condition and previous test results in order to understand whether this increase is normal for her, or whether diabetes mellitus should be looked for.

Signs of diabetes in women after 60 years

For women over 60 years of age, type II diabetes mellitus, defined as benign, is most common. It mainly occurs in mild form and is not characterized severe symptoms. Moreover, a significant proportion of older women do not even suspect that they have the disease, which is why it is diagnosed late and most often by accident. Characteristic feature, which may lead a doctor to believe that his elderly patient has diabetes mellitus, is that she is obese, which indicates disturbances in the process of lipid metabolism.

Between the onset of the disease and the diagnosis correct diagnosis sometimes years pass, during which an elderly woman suffers from periodically occurring, erased symptoms, but does not see a doctor.

Characteristic symptoms accompanying diabetes in the elderly are:

• decreased visual acuity;
• the appearance of pain in the heart area;
• swelling of the face and neck;
• impaired sensitivity in the limbs;
• the appearance of pustules on skin;
• development of various fungal pathologies, etc.

Older women are also characterized by the development of trophic changes in the extremities and the appearance of signs of “diabetic foot”. Trophic changes develop due to the effect of glucose on the blood walls.

Elderly women are also characterized by the development of sudden and severe diabetic coma. In most cases, sudden onset coma caused by high level glucose in the blood is fatal when it comes to older people.

Accurate diagnosis

Usually the presence of elderly woman Type II diabetes mellitus can be suspected by assessing the patient’s complex of complaints and observing changes in blood glucose levels throughout the day. Confirmation is obtained by conducting a glucose tolerance test, which will reliably establish the patient’s diagnosis.

About half of women diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance develop full picture diabetes mellitus Using a tolerance test, it is possible to identify not only obvious violations, but also processes occurring in a latent form.

A glucose tolerance test is required in the following cases:

• if your blood sugar level remains normal, but tests sometimes show its presence in the urine;
• if the patient increases the amount of urine excreted per day (polyuria), but the blood sugar level remains within normal limits;
• in a pregnant woman, in patients with kidney pathology or thyrotoxicosis, sugar is detected in the urine;
• if present clinical symptoms diabetes mellitus, but remains in the blood normal level glucose, and it is completely absent in the urine.

To conduct the test, a blood test is taken from the patient, then they are asked to consume 75 g of sugar and the blood is taken again after 1 and 2 hours. In case of diabetes mellitus, after two hours from taking glucose, the sugar level will be more than 11.1 mmol/l.

Treatment and lifestyle

After making a diagnosis, the doctor selects therapy for the woman aimed at correcting deviations from the norm. Since type II diabetes is not insulin-dependent, insulin preparations are not prescribed to the patient if the pathology is detected in the early stages.

The basis of treatment is:

• proper nutrition (dietary recommendations are selected based on individually, but generally it is recommended to exclude foods that are too sweet, fatty, salty, fast food, dishes with a lot of seasonings);
• normalization of the physical activity regime (regular physical activity in the form of walks on fresh air);
• medications in tablet form, lowering blood sugar levels (today there are many different pharmacological groups used for this purpose, therefore the choice of medication should be made by a doctor who is guided by the stage of the disease and the general condition of the patient).

A woman also needs to constantly monitor changes in blood sugar levels. If the disease does not respond to standard treatment, it is possible to transfer elderly women with type 2 diabetes mellitus to insulin therapy.

Preventive actions

In women over 60 years of age, it is much easier to prevent the development of diabetes than to treat it. Preventive actions recommended to the following groups patients at risk:

• hypertensive patients;
• obese patients;
• patients with atherosclerosis;
• patients with a hereditary predisposition.

Prevention is based on adjusting food habits and lifestyle. Women at risk are advised to monitor their diet and perform minimal physical activity daily (15-20 minutes of walking in the fresh air after meals or any light exercise).

Women who have crossed the age mark of 60 years are advised to carefully monitor their health. If they develop symptoms that indicate the presence of diabetes, it is recommended to see a doctor and get diagnosed, rather than letting the disease take its course. Type II diabetes found on early stage development, responds well to therapy and does not cause inconvenience to patients for a long time if they remember the doctor’s recommendations.

Glucose (glucose)- the main indicator of carbohydrate metabolism. More than half of the energy our body expends comes from the oxidation of glucose. Determination of glucose is a mandatory step in diagnosis.

The concentration of glucose in the blood is regulated by hormones: insulin is the main hormone of the pancreas. With its deficiency, the level of glucose in the blood rises, the cells starve Moscow

Increased blood glucose

Increased glucose? For a doctor, a glucose test can show increased glucose levels in blood ( hyperglycemia) for the following diseases:

• endocrine disorders
• spicy And chronic , cystic fibrosis
• pancreatic tumors
• chronic liver diseases And kidney
• cerebral hemorrhage

Glucose rise occurs after strong emotions, stress and smoking, and poor nutrition.

Decreased blood glucose

Low glucose(hypoglycemia) - characteristic symptom:

• pancreatic diseases(hyperplasia, adenoma or cancer)
• hypothyroidism Moscow
• liver diseases (cirrhosis, , cancer)
• adrenal cancer, stomach cancer
• poisoning with arsenic, alcohol or overdose of certain medications. Moscow

Blood sugar (glucose) level

Normal value ranges

Deciphering blood glucose levels

It is known that the level of sugar in the blood is regulated by the pancreatic hormone - insulin; if it is not enough or the body tissues do not respond adequately to insulin, then the level of glucose in the blood increases. The growth of this indicator is influenced by smoking, stress, poor nutrition. According to the World Health Organization, the norms for glucose in human blood have been approved, on an empty stomach in capillary or whole venous blood they should be within the following limits indicated in the table, in mmol/l:

As a person ages, tissue sensitivity to insulin decreases, as some of the receptors die and, as a rule, weight increases. As a result, insulin, even when produced normally, is less absorbed by tissues with age and blood sugar rises. It is also believed that when taking blood from a finger or from a vein, the result fluctuates slightly, so the rate of glucose in venous blood is slightly overestimated, by about 12%.

Preparing for the test

"On an empty stomach"- this is when at least 8 hours pass between the last meal and blood drawing (preferably at least 12 hours). Juice, tea, coffee, especially with sugar, are also prohibited.

It is recommended to donate blood in the morning (between 8 and 11 o’clock), on an empty stomach (at least 8 and no more than 14 hours of fasting, you can drink water). The day before your glucose test, it is recommended to avoid overeating. Moscow

Normal blood sugar during pregnancy Moscow

Glucose norm during pregnancy: 3.3-6.6 mmol/l

A woman needs to very carefully monitor fluctuations in blood glucose levels, since it is precisely the period of waiting for a baby that can, unfortunately, trigger the development of diabetes mellitus, since during pregnancy a woman's blood amino acid levels decrease and the levels of ketone bodies increase.

• Glucose levels decrease slightly in pregnant women in the morning - on an empty stomach: it is approximately 0.8-1.1 mmol/l (15.20 mg%).
• If a woman is hungry long time, then the plasma glucose level decreases up to 2.2-2.5 mmol/l (40.45 mg%).
• At 28 weeks of pregnancy, all women should undergo a one-hour oral glucose tolerance test (with 50 g of glucose). If, one hour after taking glucose, the plasma glucose level exceeds 7.8 mmol/l, then the woman is prescribed a three-hour oral glucose tolerance test (with 100 g of glucose). If, after the second analysis, the plasma glucose level in a pregnant woman is above 10.5 mmol/l (190 mg%) one hour after taking glucose, or after two hours, after 2 hours it exceeds 9.2 mmol/l (165 mg%), and after 3 - 8 mmod/l (145 mg%), then the pregnant woman is diagnosed with diabetes. This means her body has impaired glucose tolerance.

Timeframe for performing a blood sugar test

In medical institutions - maximum 1 day. When using express tests, the result is instantaneous

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It is one of the most common diseases and the reasons for its development are quite varied. The danger of this pathology lies in the fact that its development is not accompanied by pronounced symptoms.

Patients need to undergo a blood test, which allows them to determine their blood sugar level. The sugar level indicates that there is no threat of developing diabetes, and if it increases, there is a risk of developing the disease.

Blood glucose - meaning and functions

In fact, it is not the sugar content that is determined, but glucose, which is considered an ideal energy material. provides work various organs and tissues, and especially the brain, which does not accept substitutes for this carbohydrate.

Insufficient blood glucose levels various reasons leads to the consumption of body fat. The result of their breakdown is ketone bodies, which pose a serious danger to the entire body and especially brain activity.

The acetonemic state most often manifests itself in childhood at different acute diseases and this is expressed by the following symptoms:

• weakness of the body
• constant drowsiness
• bouts of vomiting
• frequent seizures

The reason for the development of such pathological condition is the fight child's body with pathology and this happens according to a certain pattern. When there is insufficient energy to eliminate and the intake of small amounts of carbohydrates, the body takes them from fats.

Glucose enters the body from food and the largest amount is involved in active work, and part of it is deposited in the form of the complex carbohydrate glycogen.

In the event that the body experiences a need for glycogen, special ones come into play. Under their influence, various chemical reactions, and glycogen is converted to glucose.Insulin is considered the main one, under the influence of which indicators decrease. The place of its production is the pancreas, namely beta cells.

An increase in glucose levels in the human body can occur under the influence of the following hormones:

• glucagon
• adrenalin
• norepinephrine
• glucocorticoids
• hormones

An increase in blood sugar occurs under the influence various hormones, and only insulin reduces it. Exactly vegetative system determines the stimulation of various hormones.

Blood test for sugar

Blood sugar levels - diagnostic methods

In order to check the sugar content, you just need to test the sugar and it is best to do this. Such a study can be carried out in the laboratory of a medical institution or using a glucometer at home. To carry out the analysis, you will need to take blood from a vein, and for this, just a small drop is enough.

If a portable glucometer shows an increased blood sugar level, then to confirm the results obtained, it is recommended to repeat the blood test in the laboratory. Thanks to this analysis, you can get a more accurate result, however, it is more painful. Experts recommend resorting to it only when initial stage making a diagnosis.

In the event that there are clear symptoms of diabetes mellitus, then in this case it will be sufficient to carry out only one control measurement in the morning.

Without pronounced signs of the disease, diabetes mellitus is only spoken of when carried out in different days glucose readings were 2 times higher.

Some patients, before visiting a specialist, try to replace their usual diet with a more proper food, and this decision is not entirely correct. Such a sudden change in diet may lead to unreliable study results.

In addition, the following factors can affect blood sugar levels:

• overeating before testing
• various pathologies
• extreme fatigue
• state
• nervous tension

In healthy people, blood tests are usually performed in the morning and always on an empty stomach. Patients over 40 years of age must undergo such a study. In addition, such analysis is recommended for the following categories of people:

• patients at risk
• overweight
• pregnant women

You can test your blood sugar at home using a Satellite portable glucometer.

Normal blood sugar

Interpretation of the analysis - the norm of the indicator in the blood

Elevated blood sugar levels over a long period of time can cause the development of various diseases, and most often, excess glucose leads to thickening of the blood.

The result of this is disruption of the functioning of the entire organism, since thick blood is not able to pass through small vessels of the circulatory system.In order to prevent exposure harmful factors effect on the human body, it is necessary to quickly normalize the concentration of sugar in the blood.

Blood sugar levels are determined by the influence of the following factors on the body:

• To carry out a sugar test, blood must be taken from a finger or from a vein. Medical practice shows that the glucose content in blood from a vein is much higher than that taken from a finger.
• The upper and lower limits indicators in the body. For adults, the indicators will be the same, but for children, completely different. In addition, women have their own glycemic limits during pregnancy.

In children under one year of age, the blood glucose level can be 2.8-4.4 mmol/liter, and at the age of up to 5 years, its concentration can reach 3.3-5.0 mmol/liter. In older children, the blood sugar level is the same as in adult patients. If a child’s sugar level is detected above 6.1 mmol/l, it is recommended to perform a glucose tolerance test, and in some cases, determine the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin.

Increased sugar levels

An increased level of sugar in the blood plasma leads to the development of such a pathological condition of the human body as hyperglycemia. This may be present for a long time and the glucose concentration will be significantly increased.

With hyperglycemia, the rate of sugar release is much higher than its absorption by the body. The result of this condition can be the development of severe disorders metabolic processes in combination with the release of toxic metabolic products. In addition, hyperglycemia can provoke poisoning of the entire body.For hyperglycemia mild degree the body does not experience any difficulties.

With an increased level of sugar in the body, a person begins to feel very thirsty, so he consumes a large number of liquids.

The result of this is frequent urination and along with urine, a large amount of sugar is excreted from the human body. The result of this is increased dryness skin and mucous membrane.

As severe hyperglycemia progresses, the following symptoms may appear:

• attacks of vomiting and nausea
• increased drowsiness
• severe lethargy
• loss of consciousness

Most often, such signs indicate the development of such dangerous condition body, such as hyperglycemic coma, which can be fatal.

More information about diabetes can be found in the video.

Typically, hyperglycemia develops with pathologies such as:

• diabetes
• increased thyroid function
• liver problems

In the presence of hyperglycemia for a long time, a persistent disturbance of metabolic processes occurs, which causes severe weakening of the body. In addition, the following violations may occur:

• disruption of the immune system
• permanent inflammatory processes with the formation of pus
• disorders of the reproductive system
• disruptions in the blood supply to body tissues

It is important to diagnose high blood sugar in a timely manner, which will allow you to prescribe an effective one in time to normalize the body’s condition.

The following symptoms may indicate an increased level of sugar in the body:

• constant desire to drink
• increased dry mouth
• constant desire to go to the toilet
• increased skin dryness and itching
• rapid weight loss for no reason
• slow healing of scratches and wounds
• discomfort in the legs
• progression of diseases of infectious and fungal origin that are difficult to cure
• breathing becomes frequent and deep
• the smell of acetone appears from the mouth
• sudden change of mood

Low sugar levels

In the event that it is diagnosed reduced content sugar in the blood plasma, then they talk about the development of hypoglycemia. This disease is diagnosed in healthy people much less frequently than hyperglycemia. The development of hypoglycemia can occur due to improper and malnutrition, which causes overstrain of the insulin apparatus of the pancreas.

This means that when you eat a lot of sugary foods, hypoglycemia develops. The pancreas begins to work full force and releases a large amount of insulin, and the tissues completely absorb glucose.

In addition, low blood sugar can occur for the following reasons:

• Limited diet, that is, subject to strict diet the body's internal reserves are depleted. The supply of carbohydrates, which are the main suppliers of energy to the human body, is significantly reduced.
• Long intervals between meals. When eating food, the human body receives carbohydrates, however, they are quickly broken down. A certain amount of them is converted into energy, and the rest is subject to disposal. If a person does not eat for 8-10 hours, then the blood sugar level decreases. It is for this reason that in the morning the sugar content in the body is much lower than at other times of the day.
• Active sports and physical exercise. Even if you follow a proper and balanced diet, there is a danger of low blood sugar if a person is active. sports activities. This is explained by the fact that an energy deficit appears due to the fact that the amount of carbohydrates consumed is much higher than those consumed.

The following symptoms may indicate low blood sugar:

• increased irritability
• chills and hand tremors
• increased sweating
• frequent headaches and dizziness
• muscle weakness and numbness of the limbs
• vision problems
• attacks of nausea
• predominance strong feeling hunger

Such symptoms are determined by the brain, since it is the brain that is now experiencing difficulties from insufficient energy supply to the body.

In the absence of timely, effective glucose support, a person may lose consciousness.

In addition, in some cases, stroke develops and serious violation brain functioning. People with diabetes in this condition can fall into a coma, which poses a serious threat to their life.

Treatment

With low sugar, the main task is to prevent attacks of hypoglycemia. In such a situation, people with diabetes should correctly determine therapeutic dose insulin and especially in cases where they plan to exercise.

You should avoid taking glucose-lowering medications on your own and do this only after consulting a specialist. In order to prevent a drop in sugar, it is important to follow a certain and properly organize your diet. The main difference between this diet is the saturation of your diet with foods with a low glycemic index.

• vegetables
• seafood
• flour products

It is necessary to eat food in short periods of time, which will ensure a regular supply of carbohydrates to the body.

At increased content sugar, patients need to completely avoid products in which it is present.It is important that the diet is dominated by:

• nuts
• legumes
• kefir
• avocado
• cereals

Blood sugar testing allows you to determine any deviations from the norm and thereby identify something as dangerous as diabetes. Blood sugar can be measured in specialized medical institutions, and at home.

Diabetes mellitus is very dangerous and insidious disease. The first symptoms of diabetes mellitus, people may confuse it with a slight illness, the action infectious disease. For many people, diabetes can be silent. As a preventive measure, it is necessary to check your blood sugar levels every six months, this will help identify the disease at an early stage, especially for people who are at risk. Glucose levels can also be measured at home, for example, using a special device called a glucometer. A blood test in a clinic is usually taken from a finger, but can also be taken from a vein. At home, a glucometer can determine the level from a drop of blood.

Within 5 seconds, the device will show the exact result. If a glucometer test shows a deviation in your sugar level from the norm, you need to take a blood test from a vein at the clinic, as directed by your doctor. This way you can find out whether you have diabetes or not.

To obtain reliable test results, it is necessary to measure blood glucose levels strictly on an empty stomach for several days. It is best to examine blood from a vein and finger in the laboratory of a medical institution.

Some men and women make the mistake of suddenly changing their diet before the analysis, starting to eat right, or “going on a diet.”

You can't do that!

This leads to the fact that the true state of affairs with the pancreas is hidden and it will be more difficult for the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. When taking tests for sugar, take into account your emotional state and other factors.

Fatigue, pregnancy, chronic diseases, all this can significantly affect glucose levels and their deviation from the norm. It is not recommended for men and women who will take tests, work at night, or go to bed late. Before the test, you must first get a good night's sleep.

Video: Diabetes. Three early signs

Remember!

U healthy person, blood sugar levels are always measured on an empty stomach, with the exception of clarifying tests, when blood can be taken after a meal.

Men and women who are over 40 years old should be tested for sugar, as they are at risk.

In addition, women during pregnancy, as well as overweight people, need to monitor their blood sugar levels.

Table of blood sugar norms for women by age

The sugar intake for women and men is basically the same, but there are differences.

The result will depend on some parameters:

1. The test was taken on an empty stomach or after eating
2. Sugar levels change with age; after 60 years, the level may increase in women and men

If a person eats normally, he leads active image life, does not abuse alcohol, is not a drug addict and the analysis shows elevated glucose levels, then the patient can be suspected of developing diabetes mellitus.

The unit of measurement for this blood parameter is millimoles per 1 liter of blood (mmol/l). An alternative unit is milligram per deciliter of blood mg/100 ml (mg/dL). For reference: 1 mmol/l corresponds to 18 mg/dl.

Normal glucose levels depend on the age of the patients.

Regardless of gender, both men and women should always take care of their health and monitor their sugar levels, undergoing professional tests on time. examinations, blood and urine tests.

Sugar levels in older women

Check your blood sugar levels!

This is especially true for blood sugar levels in women after 40 - 50 - 60 - 70 years of age.

Typically, in elderly women, glucose levels rise exactly two hours after eating, and fasting glucose remains near normal.

Reasons for increased blood sugar levels in women

This phenomenon has several causes that act synchronously on the body.

Firstly, it is a decrease in the sensitivity of tissues to the hormone insulin, a decrease in its production by the pancreas. In addition, in these patients the secretion and action of incretins weakens. Incretins are special hormones that are produced in digestive tract in response to food intake. Incretins also activate the production of insulin by the pancreas. With age, the susceptibility of beta cells decreases several times, this is one of the mechanisms of diabetes development, no less important than insulin resistance. Due to the heavy financial condition older people are forced to grub on cheap, high-calorie foods.

Such food contains: an extraordinary amount of quickly digestible industrial fats and light carbohydrates; flaw complex carbohydrates, protein, fiber.

The second reason for increased blood sugar in old age is the presence of chronic concomitant diseases, treatment with potent drugs that have a detrimental effect on carbohydrate metabolism.

The most risky from this point of view are: psychotropic drugs, steroids, thiazide diuretics, non-selective beta blockers. They can cause the development of disturbances in the functioning of the heart, lungs, and musculoskeletal system.

Causes of hyperglycemia

The sugar limit may be exceeded due to:

• Because of junk food when a person abuses sweets
• alcohol abuse, smoking
• because of nervous tension, stress
• because of increased activity thyroid gland and others endocrine diseases
• diseases of the kidneys, pancreas and liver.

Blood glucose levels may sometimes increase after taking steroids, diuretics, or certain contraception. Women's sugar levels increase during pregnancy.

When the test shows elevated glucose levels (hyperglycemia), the patient is next given 200 ml of water with sugar to drink, and tested again 2 hours later. It happens that a person’s blood glucose level can rise due to the fact that he ate a sweet apple.

Symptoms of hyperglycemia in men and women:

• thirst
• dry mouth
• skin problems, severe itching
• the patient suddenly loses weight
• blurred vision
• worried about frequent painful urination
• difficulty breathing, it becomes loud and uneven

For women over 60 years of age, type II diabetes mellitus, defined as benign, is most common. It mainly occurs in a trivial form and is not characterized by pronounced symptoms. Moreover, a significant proportion of older women do not even suspect that they have the disease, which is why it is diagnosed late and most often by coincidence.

A distinctive feature that can lead a doctor to believe that his elderly patient has diabetes mellitus is that she is obese, which indicates disturbances in the process of lipid metabolism.
Between the onset of the development of the disease and the formulation of a systematic diagnosis, years would pass, during which the elderly madam would experience the torment of erased symptoms arising from time to time, but would not turn to a medical professional.

The classic symptoms accompanying diabetes in the elderly are:

• pathology of sensitivity in the limbs;
• the appearance of pustules on the skin;
• decreased visual acuity;
• the appearance of pain in the heart area;
• swelling of the face and neck;
• development of various fungal disorders, etc.

In the interests of older women, the development of trophic changes in the limbs and the appearance of signs of “diabetic foot” are also inherent. Trophic changes develop due to the effect of glucose on the blood walls.

For older representatives of the fairer sex, the development of an unexpected and dangerous diabetic coma is also common. Usually sudden onset coma caused by high level glucose in the blood, ends in death, if we are talking about elderly people.

In more than half of the people whose analysis showed an increase in blood sugar, latent pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) was detected. The insidiousness of the disease is that the symptoms of pancreatitis may not give obvious signs, masquerade as other diseases and gradually destroy pancreatic tissue.

How to lower blood glucose levels

Helps significantly reduce sugar levels balanced diet and diets. It is important to follow a diet for those who have already been diagnosed increased level blood glucose. Eliminate from your diet: animal fats, sweets, fast foods, juices, bananas, persimmons, figs, sweet sodas, alcohol.

To normalize metabolism in the future, in order to maintain normal gluco levels, it is necessary to include in the menu: seafood, fish, beef, rabbit meat, vegetables, herbal teas, mineral water.

Video: Diabetes mellitus in the elderly

Why is diabetes so dangerous for older women?

The reason is that patients tolerate it unusually poorly cardiovascular complications, have every chance of dying from a stroke, heart attack, blockage of blood vessels by a blood clot, or acute heart failure.

There is also a possibility of staying incapacitated disabled person when irreparable brain damage occurs.

A similar complication may occur in at a young age, but a much older person tolerates it very difficult. When a woman’s blood sugar level rises quite often and unpredictably, this becomes the basis for falls and injuries.

Insulin is known as a hormone of the pancreas. When glucose concentration rises, the pancreas increases insulin secretion. In the case when there is no insulin, or there is not enough of it, glucose does not begin to transform into fat. If a large amount of glucose accumulates in the blood, diabetes develops.

At this moment, the brain can begin to actively use excess glucose, partially ridding us of excess fat.

Over time, sugar can be stored in the liver (fatty liver). It is also dangerous when large amounts of sugar begin to interact with skin collagen, which is necessary for the smoothness and elasticity of our skin.

Gradually, collagen is disrupted, which leads to aging of the skin and the appearance of premature wrinkles.

Elevated glucose levels can lead to vitamin B deficiency. In general, vitamins, and minerals poorly absorbed by the body in diabetes mellitus.

High blood sugar speeds up metabolism, causing people to develop problems with their kidneys, heart, and lungs.

Sugar gradually destroys the immune system, a person is exposed to more and more infections, viral diseases, the body loses its ability to effectively fight infection.

Thus, in both older women and men, increased glucose levels are quite common.

In order to prevent the development of diabetes, you have time to pay attention to changes in indicators in the analysis and take appropriate measures. To prevent the disease, it is important to adhere to a diet and healthy image life.

Video: normal blood sugar in women, table by age

It is important to understand that usually the blood glucose levels in women and men have the same normal values. The level may vary depending on age, the presence of a particular disease, and female characteristics body. Blood sugar levels may also be affected by the time of the test and the conditions observed..

High blood sugar is the main symptom of diabetes. A certain amount of glucose is always present in the body of any person, since it is the most important source vital energy. Sugar levels are unstable and fluctuate throughout the day. But in a healthy person it stays within the limits that are commonly called the norm. And for a diabetic, the values ​​are higher.

Blood sugar levels do not depend on a person’s gender or age. The standards are the same for men, women and children. However, doctors note some relationship between sugar levels and the patient’s age. Typically, older people have slightly higher glycemic (blood glucose) levels. This is understandable: the older the patient, the more depleted his pancreas is and the worse it copes with producing the hormone insulin, which regulates sugar.

Elevated blood glucose levels are called hyperglycemia. Most often it is a sign of diabetes mellitus, but can also occur during exacerbation chronic pancreatitis(pancreatogenic diabetes), hypercorticism (disease of the adrenal glands or pituitary gland), thyrotoxicosis (increased release of thyroid hormones), pheochromocytoma (disease of the adrenal glands), acromegaly (disease of the pituitary gland).

Symptoms of hyperglycemia

With severe hyperglycemia ( high sugar in the blood), a person may experience the following sensations:

• dry mouth;
• thirst;
• frequent urination (including at night);
• increased volume of urine excreted;
• weakness, lethargy, fatigue, decreased performance;
• weight loss due to increased appetite;
• poor healing of wounds, skin damage, inflammatory diseases;
• itching of the skin and mucous membranes (most often the perineum);
• the appearance of a specific taste and smell in the mouth " baked apples"due to acetone. This is a sign of obvious decompensation of diabetes.

However, not always high sugar indicates the presence of diabetes or some disorder in the body. There is so-called physiological hyperglycemia - a condition in which an increase in blood glucose is due to natural causes. These include: eating rich in carbohydrates, severe emotional stress, stress, some surgical interventions.

In order to accurately find out the amount of sugar, you can take a fasting blood test. By the way, when doctors say “on an empty stomach,” they mean early in the morning; at least 8, but no more than 14 hours should have passed since the last meal. If this time interval is not observed, the analysis results may be false and uninformative. And by the phrase “after eating,” doctors usually mean the period of 2-4 hours after eating.

It is important to note that your glucose can be measured both in venous blood (from a vein) and in capillary blood (taken from a finger). Each of these cases has its own sugar standards.

In the venous blood of a healthy person, the normal sugar level will be within 6.1 mmol/l on an empty stomach and up to 7.8 mmol/l 2 hours after eating. In capillary blood (from a finger), it is believed that this figure should not exceed 5.6 mmol/l, and a couple of hours after eating - no more than 7.8 mmol/l.

The doctor assumes a patient has diabetes mellitus when the glycemic level is equal to or exceeds 7 mmol/l on an empty stomach and more than 11.1 mmol/l 2-3 hours after a meal in the venous blood and 6.1 mmol/l on an empty stomach and 11.1 mmol/l a couple of hours after eating in the capillary. What lies between normal and diabetes?

Prediabetes

This is a simplified name for a condition in which glucose tolerance is impaired. The pancreas still produces insulin, but in small quantities. And the hormone is not enough for the normal functioning of the body. This diagnosis reflects the possibility of developing diabetes in the future if indifferent attitude to your health and unfavorable circumstances (overeating, sedentary life, bad habits, non-compliance with diet and medical recommendations).

When a patient is suspected of having an initial or latent form of carbohydrate metabolism disorders (with a moderate increase in blood sugar levels, with the periodic appearance of glucose in the urine, symptoms of diabetes with acceptable sugar, against the background of thyretoxicosis and some other diseases) a so-called glucose tolerance test is performed. This study allows you to clarify the diagnosis or confirm its absence.

Carbohydrate tolerance stress test

3 days before the analysis, a person does not limit himself in the consumption of carbohydrates and eats as usual. Physical activity it is also necessary to leave it as usual. The last evening meal the day before should contain 50 g of carbohydrates and be no later than 8 hours before the test (you are allowed to drink water).

The essence of the analysis is as follows: the patient’s fasting blood glucose level is measured, then a glass (200-300 ml) is given to drink within 5 minutes. warm water with 75 g of glucose dissolved in it (in children at the rate of 1.75 g per kilogram of weight, but not more than 75 g). Then blood sugar is measured one hour and 2 hours after drinking glucose. During the entire period of the analysis, the patient is not allowed to smoke or move actively. The load test result is assessed as follows:

If glucose tolerance is low (sugar levels do not drop quickly enough), this means that the patient is at risk for developing diabetes.

Gestational diabetes

This term refers to elevated blood glucose levels in a pregnant woman. To make a diagnosis, only the deoxygenated blood. Recently, absolutely all pregnant women undergo a carbohydrate tolerance test to detect diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy (optimally 24-26 weeks). This measure allows you to identify the disease at an early stage and prevent possible consequences for mother and fetus.

Decreased glucose levels

At long-term treatment diabetes with insulin or tablet medications may cause hypoglycemia, a condition in which blood sugar is very low (below 3.3 mmol/l).

Causes:

• An overdose of insulin resulting from a violation of the tactics of administering the hormone (incorrect dose set for injection, erroneous repeated administration, injection short insulin instead of extended, etc.);
• carbohydrate deficiency in the diet, skipping meals, long intervals between insulin injections and meals;
• greater than usual physical activity;
• drinking alcohol.

Like increased glucose in the blood, hypoglycemia can be physiological, arising due to various natural causes. For example, during stress, intense physical activity, in newborns - in the first hours of life.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia:

What to do if you have mild hypoglycemia

If symptoms are detected, you need to eat 4 pieces of sugar, or drink a glass of sweet tea, carbonated drink (lemonade, Fanta) or juice (preferably grape). It is also necessary to analyze the reasons that led to a strong drop in sugar so that such mistakes are not repeated. Maybe, exercise stress was calculated incorrectly, a meal was missed, or there were errors when taking or injecting insulin. If the patient has severe hypoglycemia and faints, call an ambulance.

Acceptable values ​​for diabetics

If you have diabetes, you should strive to keep blood glucose as close to normal limits as possible. This is the basis for the prevention of complications and the key to relative health in this disease. You should aim for glycemic levels before meals not higher than 6.1 mmol/l, and 2-3 hours after meals - up to 7.8 mmol/l. Relying only on your feelings is completely wrong, since most people do not feel the difference between sugar values ​​​​from 4.5 to 12 mmol/l. In addition, if the amount of glucose in the blood is almost always elevated (as happens in diabetics), the body’s sensitivity to sugar levels is disrupted. Habitually high performance begin to feel normal, and normal is confused with hypoglycemia. That is why it is important to carry out self-monitoring with a glucometer in order to know exactly how much sugar is in your blood now.

The procedure involves regularly checking your blood yourself at home. The point of self-monitoring is so that a person can promptly track sugar fluctuations and adjust their treatment if the measurement results are unsatisfactory. The value of readings obtained in familiar conditions during self-monitoring is much higher, since they reflect the patient’s condition in a calm environment.

A special tool that allows a diabetic patient to measure their blood sugar on their own is called a glucometer. The device is easy to use, convenient and accurate. It works like this: the patient applies a drop of his blood to a special test strip, which is then inserted into the device. And within a minute the device displays the measurement result on the screen.

Currently, there are a large number of different glucometers. The patient chooses the product that is convenient for him. There are devices with the function of storing the last measurements, with the option of evaluating the result (bad, satisfactory), with the ability to transfer data to a personal computer with subsequent processing, etc. Some devices, in addition to sugar levels, can measure cholesterol and acetone in the blood. They even sell talking devices for people with low vision, as well as glucometers combined with a tonometer - to determine blood pressure. Each device has a measurement error, both plus and minus. Acceptable error deviation is considered within + 20%.

The patient records the results of self-monitoring in a diary for subsequent discussion with the doctor.

You can also purchase test strips to determine the level of sugar in urine, but they are significantly inferior in accuracy to glucometers. First, the measurements will only reflect the level that was in the blood at the time that this urine was formed, which means that the result obtained does not reflect the level of glucose at the moment. Secondly, sugar appears in the urine when it is above 10 mmol/l in the blood. If your blood glucose level is lower, the test strip will show negative result. Well, and thirdly, the result of the measurement is determined by comparing the resulting color with the palette on a special scale and people with poor eyesight or in poor lighting they can see a completely unreliable result there.

Self-monitoring with a glucometer will allow you to:

• determine whether you have achieved the goals set for you by your doctor at this stage of diabetes treatment;
• evaluate how effective the doctor’s recommendations and prescriptions are;
• make timely adjustments to treatment – ​​independently or in consultation with a doctor;
• actively participate in the treatment process, personally manage the situation.

Determining your blood sugar level once a week or even a month (as is done in the clinic) is completely insufficient. Such control does not reflect the entire picture of the state of the body in full. With type 1 diabetes, people need to measure their glucose several times a day - before meals, on an empty stomach and before bed. Once optimal sugar levels have been achieved and the results of diet and therapy are stable, it is advisable to periodically (once a week or two) take multiple measurements throughout the day to make sure that everything is in order.

Glycated hemoglobin

There is another parameter by which doctors assess whether a person has diabetes, as well as the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment. This is glycated hemoglobin. It reflects average blood sugar in the last 3 months. For example, if you took a test and received a result of 8% glycated hemoglobin, this means that in the last 3 months your blood glucose level was between 7.5 mmol/L and 9 mmol/L. What should this one be like? individual indicator for you, based on clinical picture The doctor knows the course of your disease. He will comment on the results and give further recommendations for treatment. The value of glycated hemoglobin depends on age, the presence and nature of diabetes complications, concomitant diseases. This parameter must be monitored once every 3 months by donating blood from a vein in a special laboratory.

Every diabetic patient should set himself the goal of getting his blood sugar levels as close as possible to normal values, because excess glucose leads to many unpleasant and sometimes fatal consequences. For example, it causes damage to blood vessels and nerves.

Consequences

Diabetes is very serious illness. And if it is not treated, the consequences will be severe for both individuals. internal organs, and for the whole organism as a whole. Here is a list of some complications:

The main condition for the prevention of diabetes complications is compensation of carbohydrate metabolism, that is, a set of measures to bring the blood sugar levels of a sick person closer to normal. If you control your diabetes, follow a strict diet, carefully take everything necessary medications and lead a healthy lifestyle, you are protected from severe consequences illness for a long time.