What Level of Blood Sugar is Dangerous I Causes & Effects

Maintaining normal blood sugar levels is crucial for everyone. People with diabetes are more vulnerable to irregular sugar levels. Therefore, to prevent complications related to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), regular glucose monitoring is necessary. Dangerous blood sugar levels can lead to severe health issues, including life-threatening ones, and understanding what constitutes these levels is key to managing diabetes effectively and wondering, ‘What Level of Blood Sugar is Dangerous? Here are quick insights.

Blood sugar levels above 180 mg/dL (after eating) and above 130 mg/dL (during fasting) are considered high. And levels below 70 mg/dL or above 300 mg/dL are dangerous.

Different Types of Blood Sugar Levels

Blood sugar levels can vary throughout the day depending on when you eat and how much physical activity you engage in. The following table shows how blood sugar levels relate to potential medical emergencies:

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Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

When blood sugar levels fall too low, below 70 mg/dL, it can lead to hypoglycemia, which can be dangerous if not treated quickly. Symptoms include:

• Shakiness
• Sweating
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Weakness
• Blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness (in severe cases)

In extreme cases, dangerously low blood sugar levels can lead to seizures, coma, and even death. People with diabetes should always carry a quick source of sugar (like glucose tablets) to raise blood sugar in case of hypoglycemia.

Symptoms of High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia)

Hyperglycemia occurs when blood sugar goes too high, generally above 180 mg/dL.

Common indicators of elevated levels:

• Increased Thirst (Polydipsia): Excess glucose in the bloodstream leads to fluid loss through urine, causing dehydration and heightened thirst.
• Frequent Urination (Polyuria): The kidneys work to eliminate excess glucose, resulting in more frequent urination.
• Fatigue: High blood sugar impairs the body’s ability to utilise glucose for energy, leading to feelings of tiredness.
• Blurred Vision: Elevated glucose levels can cause fluid to shift into the eye lenses, affecting focus.
• Unexplained Weight Loss: When cells can’t access glucose, the body starts breaking down muscle and fat for energy.
• Slow-Healing Sores: High blood sugar can impair the body’s natural healing processes.
• Increased Hunger (Polyphagia): Despite high blood sugar levels, cells may not get enough glucose, triggering hunger.
• Dry Mouth and Skin: Dehydration due to fluid loss can lead to dry mouth and skin.
• Numbness or Tingling in Hands or Feet: Chronic high blood sugar can lead to nerve damage, known as diabetic neuropathy.

Critical Symptoms of Hyperglycemia

These severe signs may indicate life-threatening complications and require immediate medical attention:

• Fruity-Smelling Breath: A sign of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), where the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Common in DKA, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
• Abdominal Pain: Can be a symptom of DKA or other serious conditions.
• Rapid Breathing (Kussmaul Respiration): A deep, laboured breathing pattern associated with DKA.
• Confusion or Difficulty Concentrating: Elevated blood sugar can impair brain function.
• Weakness or Fatigue: Severe hyperglycemia can lead to profound tiredness.
• Dry Mouth and Skin: Severe dehydration due to fluid loss.
• Severe Dehydration: From excessive urination and fluid loss.
• Loss of Consciousness or Coma: In extreme cases, untreated hyperglycemia can lead to coma.

Consistently high blood sugar can lead to long-term complications, including nerve damage, kidney damage, and cardiovascular disease. If you or someone else experiences any of these critical symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Dangerous Blood Sugar Levels and Their Consequences

Both extremely high and extremely low sugar levels require immediate medical attention. And if left untreated, life-threatening conditions may be experienced.

• Blood 400 mg/dL: This blood sugar level is considered dangerously high. At this level, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) can develop, both of which are life-threatening conditions.
• Below 70 mg/dL: This blood sugar level is considered dangerously low. It can cause confusion, fainting, and, if left untreated, can result in coma or death.

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Causes Behind Irregular Blood Sugar Levels

• Low blood sugar can be caused by skipping meals, taking too much insulin, increased physical activity, or alcohol consumption.
• High blood sugar can be caused by factors like not taking enough insulin, eating too much, stress, illness, or infection. Infections are particularly notable as they can raise blood sugar due to the body’s stress response.

Management of Blood Sugar Levels

The blood sugar levels shared by the Mayo Clinic have been recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for diabetic people.

Blood Sugar Monitoring:

Use a glucometer or CGM Sensor (used for continuous monitoring without fingerpricking) to check your blood sugar levels.

• Before meals: Target blood sugar level is typically 70–130 mg/dL.
• After meals: After 1-2 hours of meals, blood sugar should be less than 180 mg/dL.
• Fasting blood sugar: Should generally be 80–130 mg/dL.
• Postprandial (2 hours after eating): A blood sugar level of less than 180 mg/dL is typically safe.

Carbohydrate Intake:

• For most adults with diabetes, it’s recommended to aim for 45-60 grams of carbohydrates per meal.
• For best packaged snacks, try to keep your carbohydrate intake between 15-30 grams.
• You can use the carbohydrate-to-insulin ratio (e.g., 1 unit of insulin for every 15 grams of carbohydrates) to help adjust insulin doses.
• Focus on complex carbohydrates (like whole grains, beans, and vegetables) as they release sugar more slowly into the bloodstream.

Insulin Management:

• If you’re on insulin, adjust your dosage according to your blood sugar readings. For example, if your fasting blood sugar is 116 mg/dL, you might need an adjustment in your insulin dosage.

Insulin sensitivity factors can help you calculate how much insulin is needed to lower your blood sugar by a certain amount (e.g., 1 unit of insulin lowers blood sugar by 30 mg/dL).

• Use an insulin dose chart provided by your healthcare provider to match insulin doses with carbohydrate intake.

Exercise:

• Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, which is about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
• Physical activity helps increase insulin sensitivity, meaning your body can use insulin more effectively and lower blood sugar.
• If you have high blood sugar (e.g., >240 mg/dL), check your urine for ketones before exercising, as exercising with high ketones can be dangerous.

For insulin therapy, it’s important to follow an insulin dose chart provided by your healthcare team. The amount of insulin needed varies depending on factors like activity level, food intake, and current blood sugar levels.

Conclusion:

Blood glucose levels below 70 mg/dL or above 180 mg/dL require emergency medical care. Lifestyle changes can help you manage healthy blood sugar levels. These changes include a balanced diet, regular exercise, proper sleep, regular glucose monitoring, and medication (when prescribed). People with high blood sugar issues may find it useful to use an automatic insulin delivery system, such as an Omnipod 5. These AID systems take away the distress of multiple injections and minimise the chances of adverse events.

To prevent complications, consider getting diet plans from a certified professional, exercise regularly, sleep properly, and don’t stress much. Remember, prevention is better than a cure.