Blood Sugar (Glucose) Directory
Blood glucose (often called blood sugar) is normally regulated by insulin. Your blood sugar levels change throughout the day but usually don't get extremely high or low. Too high levels can damage your body's organs. Too low levels can cause dementia and even a coma or death. For those with diabetes, the pancreas doesn't produce the right amount of insulin, so blood sugar levels depend greatly on diet, and these levels must be regularly monitored. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about blood sugar and glucose levels, complications of abnormal blood sugar levels, and much more.
Medical Reference
-
How the Blood Sugar of Diabetes Affects the Body
Over time, high blood sugar can lead to many different health problems. Learn more about what they are and how to prevent them.
-
What Is Glucose?
Learn how your body uses sugar and what happens if your blood glucose levels are too high.
-
Chart of Normal Blood Sugar Levels for Adults with Diabetes
This simple chart shows target blood sugar levels for adults before and after meals, after fasting, before exercise, and at bedtime, as well as an A1c target.
-
How to Manage Blood Sugar Spikes After Meals
If you have diabetes, find out how to test and manage blood sugar levels that go up after you eat, a condition called postprandial blood glucose.
Features
-
4 Surprising Reasons for Blood Sugar Swings
Stress, sleep loss, illness, and medications can knock your blood sugar levels out of whack.
-
Blood Sugar Highs and Lows
Know the difference between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
-
Why Does Blood Sugar Spike in the Morning?
There are many reasons for a high blood-sugar reading in the morning.
-
How Does Food Affect Your Blood Sugar?
How Does Food Affect Your Blood Sugar? Test your diabetes smarts.
Video
-
Does Eating Sugar Cause Diabetes?
Can eating too much sugar cause diabetes? C. Ronald Kahn, MD, explains.
-
WebMD Expert Answers: Is sugar the enemy? Where does/can it fit in the diet of someone with diabetes?
Dr. Elizabeth R. Seaquist reports from the 2013 Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes
-
Lessons Learned From Ignoring Diabetes
We profile Jeff, who was diagnosed with Type 2 insulin at 40, but didn’t manage it well. At 60 he faces a host of complications.
-
Type 1 Diabetes: Living with an Insulin Pump
After years of debilitating seizures, diabetic Melissa Jeffries regains control of her diabetes through the use of an insulin pump.
Slideshows & Images
-
Slideshow: Control Your Blood Sugars
Do you think your blood sugars are out of control? Here are the signs that you should look for.
-
Slideshow: Tips for Blood Sugar Control When You Have Type 2 Diabetes
Looking for ways to keep your blood sugar in check? Feast your eyes on these tips for controlling your glucose when you have type 2 diabetes.
-
Slideshow: 20 Reasons for Blood Sugar Swings
Black coffee leads off our slideshow of surprising blood sugar actors. Innocent foods, spices, yard work, and even your boss can make blood sugar levels jump or dip.
-
Slideshow: Counting Carbs While on Insulin
Counting carb grams helps control your blood sugar levels if you take insulin for diabetes. This slideshow explains why the practice can help you stay in good health.