Having high blood sugar levels, also known as hyperglycemia, is a common problem for people with diabetes. It can be caused by not taking enough insulin, eating too much sugary food, or being sick. When your blood sugar is high, it can lead to serious health complications if not treated promptly.
In this article, we'll discuss what to do when your blood sugar is high and provide tips for managing your blood sugar levels. We'll also cover the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia and when to seek medical attention.
It's important to manage your blood sugar levels to prevent complications. If you have diabetes, work with your doctor to create a management plan that includes regular blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating, physical activity, and medication as needed.
What to Do When Blood Sugar Is High
If your blood sugar is high, take action to lower it and prevent complications.
- Check blood sugar.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Take insulin or medication.
- Exercise, if able.
- Eat a healthy snack.
- Monitor blood sugar regularly.
- Seek medical attention if needed.
- Prevent future high blood sugar.
By following these steps, you can help manage your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of complications.
Check Blood Sugar
The first step in managing high blood sugar is to check your blood sugar levels. This will help you determine how high your blood sugar is and how quickly you need to take action to lower it.
To check your blood sugar, you will need a blood glucose meter and test strips. You can purchase these at most pharmacies. Once you have your supplies, follow these steps to check your blood sugar:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Insert a test strip into the blood glucose meter.
- Prick the side of your finger with the lancet device.
- Apply a small drop of blood to the test strip.
- Wait for the meter to display your blood sugar reading.
Once you know your blood sugar level, you can take steps to lower it if it is too high.
It is important to check your blood sugar regularly, especially if you have diabetes. Your doctor will recommend a specific schedule for checking your blood sugar based on your individual needs.
By checking your blood sugar regularly, you can help manage your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of complications.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking plenty of water is important for overall health, but it is especially important when your blood sugar is high.
- Water helps to dilute the sugar in your blood.
When you drink water, it helps to dilute the sugar in your blood, which can help to lower your blood sugar levels.
- Water helps to flush out excess glucose through urine.
When you drink water, your kidneys work harder to filter out excess glucose from your blood and excrete it through urine. This can help to lower your blood sugar levels.
- Water helps to prevent dehydration.
When your blood sugar is high, you may experience dehydration because your body is trying to flush out the excess sugar through urine. Drinking plenty of water can help to prevent dehydration and its associated symptoms, such as fatigue, dizziness, and headaches.
- Water helps to improve blood circulation.
Drinking water helps to improve blood circulation, which can help to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your cells and tissues. This can help to improve your overall health and well-being.
Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. If you are exercising or sweating heavily, you may need to drink more. You can also drink other fluids, such as unsweetened tea and coffee, but water is the best choice.
Take Insulin or Medication
If your blood sugar is high and you are taking insulin or other diabetes medication, it is important to take your medication as prescribed. This will help to lower your blood sugar levels and prevent complications.
If you are not sure how much insulin or medication to take, talk to your doctor. They will recommend a dosage that is right for you based on your individual needs.
It is also important to take your medication at the right time. If you take your medication too early or too late, it may not be as effective in lowering your blood sugar levels.
If you are having trouble taking your medication as prescribed, talk to your doctor. They may be able to help you find a way to make it easier to take your medication.
Taking your insulin or medication as prescribed is an important part of managing your blood sugar levels and preventing complications. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, talk to your doctor.
Exercise, if Able
Exercise is a great way to lower blood sugar levels. When you exercise, your muscles use glucose for energy. This helps to lower the amount of glucose in your blood.
If you have high blood sugar, it is important to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program. They can help you determine what type of exercise is safe for you and how much exercise you should do.
Once you have your doctor's approval, start slowly and gradually increase the amount of exercise you do each week. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
Some good examples of moderate-intensity exercise include:
- Brisk walking
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Dancing
- Playing tennis or basketball
If you have high blood sugar, it is important to monitor your blood sugar levels before, during, and after exercise. This will help you to make sure that your blood sugar levels do not get too low or too high.
Exercise is a safe and effective way to lower blood sugar levels and improve overall health. If you have high blood sugar, talk to your doctor about starting an exercise program.
Eat a Healthy Snack
Eating a healthy snack can help to lower blood sugar levels and prevent them from getting too high. When choosing a snack, look for foods that are low in carbohydrates and high in fiber. Fiber helps to slow down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, which can help to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels.
Some good examples of healthy snacks for people with high blood sugar include:
- A handful of nuts
- A piece of fruit
- A cup of yogurt
- A slice of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter
- A hard-boiled egg
- A cup of vegetable soup
It is important to avoid sugary snacks, such as candy, cookies, and soda. These foods can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous for people with diabetes.
If you are not sure what to snack on, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian. They can help you create a snack plan that is right for you.
Eating a healthy snack can help to lower blood sugar levels and prevent them from getting too high. Choose snacks that are low in carbohydrates and high in fiber. Avoid sugary snacks, such as candy, cookies, and soda.
Monitor Blood Sugar Regularly
Monitoring your blood sugar regularly is an important part of managing high blood sugar and preventing complications. By checking your blood sugar levels, you can:
- See how well your diabetes treatment plan is working.
Monitoring your blood sugar levels can help you see how well your diabetes treatment plan is working. If your blood sugar levels are consistently high, you may need to adjust your medication, diet, or exercise routine.
- Identify patterns in your blood sugar levels.
Monitoring your blood sugar levels over time can help you identify patterns in your blood sugar levels. This information can help you make lifestyle changes to prevent blood sugar spikes and drops.
- Prevent complications.
Monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly can help you prevent complications of high blood sugar, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
- Make informed decisions about your health.
Monitoring your blood sugar levels can help you make informed decisions about your health. For example, if you know that your blood sugar levels are high, you may need to avoid eating sugary foods or engaging in strenuous exercise.
Talk to your doctor about how often you should check your blood sugar levels. The frequency of monitoring will depend on your individual needs and the type of diabetes you have.
Seek Medical Attention if Needed
In some cases, high blood sugar can be a medical emergency. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Blood sugar levels above 300 mg/dL
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion or disorientation
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of consciousness
These symptoms may indicate that you are experiencing diabetic ketoac перевозdosis (DKA), a serious condition that can occur when your body does not have enough insulin. DKA can lead to coma or death if not treated promptly.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Once you are in the hospital, your doctor will give you fluids, insulin, and other medications to lower your blood sugar levels and correct the electrolyte imbalances caused by DKA.
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the symptoms of DKA. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent serious complications and death.