Ever wonder what this frequently used term blood glucose actually does? If not, here’s your answer! Blood glucose (blood sugar), is an element present in the blood that carries sugar to all the body cells, so that they can create energy for physical/mental functions. And naturally this energy (formerly sugar) is a derived from the food that we eat. But at times the body loses its ability to produce insulin, which is important for breaking down the glucose in the body. And in such a condition one develops an autoimmune disease, which is known as diabetes.

Diabetes can severely disrupt a person’s life, as it can trigger other serious conditions related to eyes, heart, kidneys, nerves, etc. But this can only happen if an individual is careless about their lifestyle. With great food habits, ample of exercise and positive attitude one can easily lead a normal life. And to achieve this one has to regularly take blood glucose tests.

Although everyone is advised to maintain a healthy balance of sugar in the body, a diabetic individual mandatorily needs to keep an eye on the glucose levels. They can monitor their diabetes condition by regularly conducting a blood glucose test. Most people with diabetes ideally must check their blood levels every day. This is because then they can effectively manage their dietary schedules, exercises and medications.

A diabetic patient needs a glucose meter aka glucometer to measure their sugar levels in blood. It is a brilliant device that can effectively help you maintain self-discipline as well as accuracy. The device comes in a kit which has a log diary, lancets and small needles.

The glucometer is extremely simple to use and handle. You just need to ensure two things while you’re using the glucose meter. Firstly, make sure that you clean your hands with soap, as you don’t want initiate any form of contamination in your blood stream. Secondly try not to share your kit with anyone or use someone else’s kit, as it can be infected. Preferably you must maintain a log diary, this will not just aid you but also your doctor who can analyze your progress accordingly.

Usually for a fasting test, normal level of blood glucose ranges around 70 to 100 milligrams per deciliter. On the other hand, when it comes to a random blood glucose test, it must ideally fall under the range 125 milligrams per deciliter. If you observe anything beyond this level, then you must immediately consult your doctor to gain more perspective about your condition.

Low blood sugar, which is also called hypoglycemia, is a result of your body being unable to fuel all the cells in your body, due to low sugar in the blood. Also called as insulin reaction or insulin shock; this can be anything below 70 mg/dL or 3.8 mmol.

Causes of low blood sugar
A drop in blood sugar can be caused due to many factors. These include:

• The glucose in your body gets used up too quickly
• The production of glucose by the body is too low
• Glucose is released too slowly into the bloodstream
• If there is too much insulin in the bloodstream.
• Excess consumption of alcohol
• Sometimes, a tumor in the pancreas can cause insulin to be produced in excess, this is called insulinoma
• Lack of certain hormones like the growth hormones, thyroid hormones or cortisol
• Heart, liver or kidney failure

Certain infections like sepsis which affects the whole body

Symptoms of low blood sugar
The symptoms that you might face if you have low blood sugar are:

• Heart palpitation or rapid heart beat
• Sudden mood swings
• Fatigue
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Change in color and paleness of skin
• Headaches
• Hunger pangs
• Weakness
• Excess Sweating
• Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep
• Blurry vision
• Dizziness
• Tingling feeling all over your skin
• Inability to think or concentrate clearly
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Coma

How to prevent low blood sugar
Here are a few ways to help you prevent low blood sugar:

Eat nuts – Nuts contain unsaturated fats that slow down the body’s ability to absorb sugar, especially nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pistachios. Make sure to have around six almonds or walnuts the first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Eat whole grains – Whole grains like oat, barley and rye are all rich in fiber and contain a soluble fiber called as beta-glucan. Beta-glucan prevents your blood from running out of glucose too fast.however, whole grains also contain carbohydrates so make sure you don’t consume too much of it as carbohydrates will raise your blood sugar level

Eat vegetables – Vegetables are a good source of fiber. Non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, cucumber, and carrots can help keep your blood sugar levels in check. Vegetables like spinach and kale are rich in iron and phosphorous which is also good for your blood sugar levels, so include this in your diet too.

Never skip meals – Make sure you have all your meals through the day and not skip any. Your breakfast is the most important meal of the day, don’t skip it. Your lunch keeps you going through the day so fill your plate up with protein and energy filled foods. At dinner, you can have a smaller meal. Apart from these three meals, you should have tinier bites in between to regulate the glucose level in your body.

Exercise – It is very important to follow a consistent exercise regime. This helps regulate your blood sugar levels and contributes to the overall wellness of your body. Incorporate at least 30 minutes of physical exercise on a daily basis.

Blood thinners stop formation of blood clots in the heart or in the blood vessels. These medications prevent heart attacks and strokes. However, these medications come with a drawback. Your body finds it hard to heal when you get hurt. So you need to be very careful when you are participating in physical activities like swimming, running, or playing sports. Keep a distance from adventure sports or activities. Wear helmets and if you fall, contact your doctor immediately because even if you do not see any injury externally, you may bleed internally.
When you are taking blood thinners, you need to talk to your doctor and follow the instructions carefully. Some of the tips include:
Be on time:
Always take your medicine at the same time every day. If you are inconsistent, the medicines do not work. If you cannot remember to take your medication, set a reminder on your phone and take your pill as soon as the alarm rings. If you forget to take the pill for the day, call your doctor and ask what needs to be done.
Ask your doctor first:
Before taking any over-the-counter medicines, ask your doctor because some medicines may interfere with blood thinners and increase your risk of bleeding. Therefore, talk to your doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements as they may lead to many side effects.
Be careful around tools:
Even a tiny cut can turn into a big bleed when you are on these medicines. So be careful when working with sharp tools like knives, razors, and shears. If you happen to cut yourself, apply pressure until the bleeding subsides. Call for medical help, if the bleeding doesn’t stop.
Look out for Vitamin K in food:
Talk to your doctor about the food items you need to take in moderate quantity. Some green and leafy vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and Brussels sprouts are rich in Vitamin K and eating them too much can increase your risk of bleeding.
Be sensitive towards your teeth:
Your gums will be sensitive when you are on these medicines. So brush your teeth gently with a soft brush and use a waxed dental floss to clean the space between the teeth. When you visit your dentist, let them know that you are on medication to prevent blood clots so that they can take extra care during the dental procedures.
Be watchful of any side effects:
Call your doctor immediately if you see any of the following side effects:
– Bleeding gums
– Bruises for no reason
– Dizziness
– Vomiting
– Heavier menstrual periods
– Blood in urine and stools
– Severe stomach or head ache
Keep first aid ready:
Always carry bandages, dressing, and special powder to stop bleeding. In case you get hurt or you cut yourself you can apply the powder immediately and cover the wound with bandage. If the blood doesn’t seem to stop, get medical help immediately. Always wear a medical bracelet that shows that you are at bleeding risk. Keep a card in your wallet that specifies the medication you take. This will help the medical team to take precautions in emergency.

The medicines that help the blood in your body to flow through the veins and arteries are called blood thinners. They stop the formation of blood clots and also prevent the existing clots from growing bigger. These medicines are basically prescribed to treat defects in the heart and some heart diseases. It also treats conditions that raise your risk of getting blood clots.
These medicines are good at protecting your body from strokes and heart attacks. Like any other medicine, these medicines come with some side effects. However, the benefits of these medicines outweigh the possible side effects. Before you start taking these medicines, it is important that you learn about them and understand their effects on your body.
Different types:
There are basically two types of blood thinners called anticoagulants and antiplatelets. Anticoagulant pills stop the blood in your body to form clots or solid cell lumps that stick together. Some popular pills include:
Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
Apixaban (Eliquis)
Fondaparinux (Arixtra)
Edoxaban (Savaysa)
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
Heparin (Innohep, Fragmin, Lovenox)
Warfarin (Jantoven, Coumadin)

The powerful types like Fondaparinux and Heparin are given through IV or as a shot. The anti-platelet pills are:
Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Aspirin
Prasugrel (Effient)
Dipyridamole (Persantine)

These medicines do not break up the already existing clots, but they can slow down the growth of the clots. They can only prevent new clots from forming. They do not actually make your blood thin, but they stop your blood from getting thicker. The human body needs Vitamin K to make proteins called clotting factors. This protein binds the blood cells and platelets together. When you take anticoagulants, it removes Vitamin K from the liver to eliminate the process of binding blood cells and platelets.
Antiplatelets are weaker than anticoagulants. These pills stop the platelets from sticking to the walls of the blood vessels and are prescribed to the patients who are at the risk of getting blood clots in future.

Side effects:
When you are taking these medicines, you should be careful while taking part in things where you can get hurt. If you happen to get hurt, you will take a longer time to heal because these medicines prevent the blood from clotting. Call an ambulance if you notice any of the following symptoms:
Heavy menstrual periods
Blood in urine or stool
Bleeding from nose or gums
Vomiting
Coughing up blood
Weakness
Dizziness
Severe headache
Stomach ache

Remember to ask your doctor about the precautions you need to take while taking any of the blood thinners. Also keep away from some leafy vegetables that contain Vitamin K. Do not take any new medication without asking your doctor first.

Hypertension is a condition in which the pressure exerted by the blood against the arterial walls is higher than the normal. It will not show up any visible symptoms, but can lead to further complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, etc. High blood pressure can be dangerous as the patient does not realize the condition, until it affects other body organs.

As the health condition is common among adults in the US, the misconceptions about the condition are also high. Here are five commonly asked questions and answers regarding the causes of high blood pressure.

• Can stress cause blood pressure?
  Yes, stress has a connection with your blood pressure levels. However, there is no proof to the fact that high stress will lead to hypertension. When you are stressed, your heart beats will go up, and the blood vessels will narrow down. Accordingly, the blood pressure levels will also shoot up. If you are suffering from chronic stress symptoms for a longer period, it can act as a cause of high blood pressure.

• Does smoking lead to blood pressure?
  Yes. If you are a heavy smoker, you are at a higher risk of getting high blood pressure. The chemical components that are present in tobacco can cause damage to the walls of the blood vessels. Then the arterial walls get narrowed and the pressure exerted by the flowing blood will increase accordingly. You are not free from the risk, even if you are a passive smoker.

• Does salt intake increase the risk of blood pressure?
  There is no doubt that your salt intake has a direct effect on your blood pressure levels. Eating higher quantity of salt will increase the amount of sodium in your body. It will put extra strain on the walls of the arteries, and therefore, the arterial walls become thicker. This will bring down the space for the blood to flow, hence the blood pressure levels will shoot up.

• Does hypertension lead to heart disease?
  Hypertension can lead to a variety of heart conditions. They are collectively known as hypertensive heart diseases. It can put your health and life at risk. The increased blood pressure can cause you sharp pains in the heart, which is called as angina. Hypertensive heart diseases include failure of the heart, thickening of the heart muscles, and coronary heart diseases.

• Does kidney disease lead to high blood pressure?
  Yes, it is definitely a cause of high blood pressure. The health of your kidneys plays a major role in your blood pressure levels. Renal hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure elevates due to kidney diseases. It occurs when the arteries that carry blood to the kidney narrows down. Also, hypertension can lead to complications in your kidney functions.

Blood pressure is the force that the blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels. High blood pressure, resulting in hypertension, occurs when the pressure of the flowing blood is persistently high. It has been identified as one of the greatest threats to your health. It is often referred to as the silent killer disease, due to its nature.

You are not absolutely safe, if high blood pressure does not run in your family. There are various factors that you should be aware of, and concerned about, in order to avoid the possibility of high blood pressure and stay hale and hearty for long. Some of the major causes of high blood pressure are listed below:

A high sodium diet
Researchers have thrown light to the fact that dietary sodium can influence your blood pressure levels. Since yummy food rich in salt is in our easy reach, we can’t say no to it most times when we are hungry. Unfortunately, such salt-rich food is a cause of high blood pressure. Also, processed foods have shown higher content of sodium in it, which shoots up your blood pressure. If you are someone happy eating at fast food centers often, keep an eye on your pressure levels.

Age
Age increases the risk of high blood pressure. As your age goes up, your chances of developing hyper tension also go up. Moreover, the socioeconomic conditions and ethnocentric factors can influence the blood pressure levels. Studies show people who belong to the African American race are at a higher risk. Among them, high blood pressure is observed at younger ages.

Heavy weight
Obesity is a leading cause of high blood pressure, apart from leading to a number of health issues. Lack of physical exercise and consumption of unhealthy food results in obesity, thereby causing hypertension.

Family matters
As you know, high blood pressure is a hereditary disease. If it runs through your family, you have a higher chance of developing the condition. However, your lifestyle factors can increase or decrease the possibility of giving you high blood pressure levels. The hereditary factors, when combined with lifestyle factors, will double up the possibility of giving you high blood pressure levels. Moreover, you can control your blood pressure levels by leading a healthy lifestyle even though it runs in your family.

Lifestyle factors
Physical inactivity is another major lifestyle factor that keep you at an increased risk of getting high blood pressure. Regular exercise can help your blood vessels to show better strength and hence the blood pressure levels can be normalized. Lack of exercise and chronic stress can lead to hypertension in any individual.

Drinking and smoking
Alcohol consumption and smoking are factors that put you at a higher risk of getting hypertension. If you are someone who consumes one or more drinks every day, or are a heavy smoker, you can get high blood pressure at a younger age.

In a bid to have the best of everything, we sacrifice our health at the altar of materialism and the price we have to pay to enjoy these luxuries is quite high. Irrespective of the fact that we are living in the most privileged era, we lost out on the most important thing our health. A sedentary lifestyle, lavish food joints, smoking, alcohol, etc. are some of the root causes of a variety of ailments that would plague us at some point in our lives. The above-mentioned factors are the harbinger of different life-threatening diseases, high blood pressure being one of them.

Your faulty lifestyle, bad choice of food, lack of exercise, etc. are the external factors that cause high blood pressure. However, there are other causes of high blood pressure that are a result of your hereditary factors or are a collateral damage caused by some disorder in your body.

Here are the internal causes of high blood pressure that can cause irreversible damage to one’s health.

Genetic structure- Researches indicate that your genetic makeup is considered as one of the causes of high blood pressure. If you have a family history of high blood pressure, chances are high that you too could be prone to the same.

Diabetes- If you are suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure would tag along with it. Diabetes targets the blood vessels and causes them to harden over time. The resultant condition is called atherosclerosis and eventually causes high blood pressure. If this condition is left untreated, it might then result in bigger problems like heart attacks, kidney failure, damages to blood vessels, etc.

Kidney disorders- High blood pressure caused by kidney disorders is also known as renal hypertension. The kidney disorder causes the arteries in the kidneys to narrow, thereby obstructing the flow of blood through the kidneys. When the kidneys receive low blood flow, it diagnoses this condition as dehydration. And thus, to combat it, the kidneys release hormones that allows the body to retain sodium and water and this additional fluid causes the blood pressure to go up.

Sleep apnea- This sleep disorder is one of the major causes of high blood pressure. While sleeping, the person experiences a sudden drop in the blood oxygen levels and this increases the blood pressure and strains the cardiovascular system.

Thyroid problems- If your thyroid secretes more thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or less thyroid (hypothyroidism), you are susceptible to high blood pressure.

Sometimes, it’s not what you eat or no matter how hard you hit the gym, you can suffer from high blood pressure that can be a consequence of some other serious ailment.