Why is it important to keep a normal blood glucose level?

If blood sugar levels are allowed to remain too high for a long enough period of time, damage to many internal organs will occur, including eyes, heart, liver and kidneys. If blood sugar is too low, it can cause fainting, and other, more immediate problems.

High blood sugar over a long enough period of time causes the pancreas to go into overdrive and produce more insulin, which can eventually cause permanent organ damage. Atherosclerosis, a hardening of the blood vessels, also can occur. The body's resistance to infection can also be a result of high blood sugar. Extremely low blood sugar, caused by insulin and other diabetic medications, can cause seizures and even coma.