The Blood Sugar Converter is a calculator which converts between the two standards of measuring sugar levels in the blood. Those two standards are:
• millimolar - millimoles per liter, abbreviated mM or mmo. This is the international standard.
• milligrams per deciliter - abbreviated mg/dL. This is the standard in the United States, Germany, and a few other countries.
This is a point of concern for those with medical conditions including diabetes, hypoglycemia, and other conditions related to blood sugar.
CAVEAT: This is medical information relevant to people with a life-threatening condition. If you have concerns about your blood sugar levels, you have hopefully consulted with a medical professional.
Glycemia is defined as the saturation of glucose in the human bloodstream, which can cause problems when it goes awry. The body has a homeostatic system to regulate blood sugar levels, which is composed of several inter-related mechanisms. The one we're most familiar with, insulin, is an anabolic hormone which removes sugar from the blood. Glucagon, cortisol, and catecholamines are all catabolic hormones, which increase blood sugar.
All of the above are secreted by the pancreas, an organ which resides near the stomach. Various other internal organ disorders can cause the pancreas to malfunction, as well as the pancreas having troubles on its own. Think of it as a thermostat, keeping the system running within a narrow, balanced range.
High blood sugar is hyperglycemia, present in diabetes. Blood sugar levels above { 11.1 mmol/l | 200 mg/dl } are considered hyperglycemic, and a concentration above 300mg/dL can be fatal. Long term hyperglycemia can cause heart disease, cancer, or organ damage.
Low blood sugar is hypoglycemia, with its own set of problems. Blood sugar levels below { 2.8 mmol/L | 50 mg/dL } are considered hypoglycemic in healthy adults; in people with diabetes the threshold is higher, at { 3.9 mmol/L | 70 mg/dL }. Low blood sugar can cause lethargy, impaired mental functioning, irritability, tremors, weakness, pale complexion, sweating, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
"Hangry" is a word recently entered into the Merriam-Webster dictionary. It's a portmanteau of "hungry" and "angry," meaning to be aggravated due to hunger. Grouchiness is a symptom of dropping blood glucose levels. The brain needs a steady, stable amount of glucose to function properly, so impacting that balance affects the brain.
The whole mechanism of sugar to the body is to translate it into energy for your cells to function. So one can't avoid blood sugar or the body will not continue to function. But as we've pointed out here, too much sugar is also a problem.
This is the easier problem to treat. A low blood sugar rating is easily corrected by eating something high in quickly absorbed carbohydrates, which can be as simple as a handful of candy, a piece of fruit, a drink of fruit juice, or a glucose tablet.
This is a harder condition to treat, requiring a prescribed anti-diabetic medication including insulin, but sometimes also exenatide, liraglutide or pramlintide. Along with taking prescribed medications, living with diabetes calls for a regimen of healthier living:
• exercise
• limiting carbohydrate intake
• increasing fiber intake
• staying hydrated
• controlling stress levels
• getting quality sleep
• regulating weight
Again, consult with a medical professional if you have concerns about your blood sugar levels. This article is not to be taken as professional medical advice.
