What to Do When Your Blood Sugar Is High: A Quick Action Plan

18 Sep 2025 By Keir MacKay, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O.

What to Do When Your Blood Sugar Is High: A Quick Action Plan

Experiencing high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, can be concerning, especially for individuals with diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels, if left unmanaged, can lead to short-term discomfort and long-term health complications. This article provides a clear, actionable plan for what to do when your blood sugar is high, enabling you to respond effectively and take control of your health. Whether you are newly diagnosed with diabetes or have been managing it for years, understanding how to address hyperglycemia is crucial for maintaining your well-being.

Why Managing High Blood Sugar Matters

Before diving into the action plan, it’s vital to understand why managing high blood sugar is essential. Consistently elevated blood sugar levels can lead to various health issues, including:

Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination: The body tries to flush out excess glucose through urine, leading to dehydration.
Fatigue and Weakness: Cells aren't getting the energy they need due to glucose not being properly utilized.
Blurred Vision: High glucose levels can affect the lens of the eye.
Increased Risk of Infections: Bacteria thrive on excess sugar, increasing the risk of skin infections, urinary tract infections, and more.
Long-Term Complications: Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels, nerves, and organs, leading to heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage (neuropathy), and eye damage (retinopathy).

By taking immediate action to lower high blood sugar, you can prevent or minimize these potential health risks.

Step-by-Step Action Plan for Addressing High Blood Sugar

When you discover that your blood sugar is high, prompt action is essential. Here’s a structured approach to effectively manage the situation: The Top 10 Foods To Help Stabilize Blood Sugar Naturally

Step 1: Check Your Blood Sugar Levels

The first step is to confirm your blood sugar level with a blood glucose meter. This provides you with accurate data to make informed decisions. The 5 Hidden Factors Affecting Your Blood Sugar Levels

If you use a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM): Verify the CGM reading with a fingerstick test, as CGMs can sometimes be inaccurate.
Record the Reading: Document the time and blood sugar level in a logbook or diabetes management app. This helps you track patterns and trends.

Step 2: Understand Your Target Range

Knowing your target blood sugar range is crucial for determining the severity of the hyperglycemia. Generally, target ranges are:

Before Meals: 80-130 mg/dL
Two Hours After Meals: Less than 180 mg/dL

However, these ranges can vary based on individual health conditions and recommendations from your healthcare provider. Ensure you have a clear understanding of your personalized target range.

Step 3: Administer Insulin (If Applicable)

If you have diabetes and take insulin, follow your healthcare provider's instructions for administering a correction dose.

Calculate the Correct Dose: Use your insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio and correction factor to determine the appropriate insulin dose. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance on this calculation.
Administer the Insulin: Use an insulin pen or syringe to inject the correct dose. Be sure to inject into an area with good absorption, such as the abdomen or thigh, avoiding areas with scar tissue.
Wait and Monitor: Do not administer additional insulin immediately. It takes time for the insulin to start working.

Step 4: Hydrate with Water

Drinking plenty of water helps your body flush out excess glucose through urine, thus lowering blood sugar levels.

Drink 8-10 Glasses of Water: Spread throughout the day to help your kidneys process the glucose.
Avoid Sugary Drinks: Steer clear of sodas, juices, and sweetened beverages, as these can exacerbate the problem.

Step 5: Engage in Light Exercise (If Appropriate)

Light physical activity can help lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity and utilizing glucose for energy.

Take a Short Walk: A 15-20 minute walk can be effective.
Avoid Strenuous Exercise: High-intensity activities can sometimes raise blood sugar levels due to the release of stress hormones.
Monitor Your Blood Sugar: Check your levels before, during, and after exercise to understand how your body responds.

Step 6: Recheck Your Blood Sugar

Recheck your blood sugar levels approximately 1-2 hours after taking corrective action to ensure that your levels are decreasing. The Role Of Hydration In The Control Of Blood Sugar Levels

Evaluate the Results: If your blood sugar is still high or has not decreased significantly, consider further action based on your healthcare provider's recommendations.
Adjust Insulin (If Necessary): If your blood sugar remains high and you take insulin, you might need to administer a small additional dose, but always consult with your healthcare provider or refer to your personalized diabetes management plan.

Step 7: Identify Potential Causes

Understanding the underlying cause of the high blood sugar can help prevent future occurrences. Common causes include:

Dietary Factors: Consuming too many carbohydrates, especially sugary foods and drinks.
Missed or Incorrect Medication Dosage: Forgetting to take diabetes medication or administering the wrong dose.
Infection or Illness: Illness can increase blood sugar levels as the body responds to stress.
Stress: Physical or emotional stress can lead to hormonal changes that raise blood sugar.
Dehydration: Lack of adequate fluid intake.
Inactivity: Insufficient physical activity.

Example Scenario:

Scenario: John, who has type 1 diabetes, checks his blood sugar before dinner and finds it to be 250 mg/dL. His target range is 80-130 mg/dL before meals.

Check Blood Sugar: Confirms the reading with his blood glucose meter.
Administer Insulin: Calculates a correction dose of 4 units of insulin based on his insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio and correction factor.
Hydrate: Drinks a large glass of water.
Light Exercise: Takes a 20-minute walk around his neighborhood.
Recheck Blood Sugar: Rechecks his blood sugar after 2 hours and finds it to be 160 mg/dL, which is within his target range.

When to Seek Medical Assistance

While you can manage mild to moderate hyperglycemia at home, it’s crucial to know when to seek professional medical help.

Situations That Require Immediate Medical Attention:

Severely High Blood Sugar: If your blood sugar is consistently above 300 mg/dL, despite taking corrective actions.
Symptoms of Ketoacidosis: These include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fruity-smelling breath, and rapid breathing. Ketoacidosis is a serious complication that requires immediate treatment.
Confusion or Loss of Consciousness: These symptoms can indicate severe hyperglycemia or other serious conditions.
Difficulty Breathing: This may be a sign of a serious metabolic imbalance.
Persistent High Blood Sugar: If your blood sugar remains high for an extended period (more than 24 hours) despite your best efforts.

When to Consult Your Healthcare Provider:

Frequent High Blood Sugar Episodes: If you experience frequent episodes of hyperglycemia, it's essential to discuss your diabetes management plan with your healthcare provider. They may need to adjust your medication, insulin dosage, or lifestyle recommendations.
Unexplained High Blood Sugar: If you can't identify the cause of your high blood sugar levels, your healthcare provider can help investigate potential underlying issues.
Changes in Health Status: If you experience significant changes in your overall health, such as weight loss, fatigue, or increased thirst, these can affect your blood sugar control.

Practical Tips for Preventing High Blood Sugar

Prevention is better than cure. Here are some practical tips to help prevent hyperglycemia:

Follow a Balanced Diet: Focus on consuming complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit your intake of sugary foods, processed foods, and refined carbohydrates.
Monitor Carbohydrate Intake: Work with a registered dietitian or diabetes educator to determine the appropriate carbohydrate intake for your individual needs.
Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or cycling. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
Take Medications as Prescribed: Adhere to your prescribed medication regimen and dosage instructions. Do not skip or adjust your medications without consulting your healthcare provider.
Monitor Blood Sugar Regularly: Check your blood sugar levels as recommended by your healthcare provider. Regular monitoring helps you identify trends and make timely adjustments to your diabetes management plan.
Manage Stress: Practice stress-reducing techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help regulate blood sugar levels.
Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night. Lack of sleep can affect insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control.
Attend Regular Check-ups: Schedule regular appointments with your healthcare provider and diabetes educator. They can provide ongoing support and guidance to help you manage your diabetes effectively.

Tools and Resources for Managing High Blood Sugar

There are numerous tools and resources available to help you manage high blood sugar effectively.

Blood Glucose Meters

These devices are essential for monitoring your blood sugar levels at home.

Features to Consider: Accuracy, ease of use, memory capacity, and connectivity to diabetes management apps.
Popular Brands: Accu-Chek, OneTouch, Contour.

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)

CGMs provide real-time blood sugar readings and trend data.

Benefits: Helps you track blood sugar patterns, identify highs and lows, and make informed decisions about insulin and diet.
Popular Brands: Dexcom, Abbott Freestyle Libre.

Insulin Delivery Systems

If you require insulin, there are various delivery systems available:

Insulin Pens: Convenient and discreet for injecting insulin.
Insulin Syringes: Traditional method for insulin delivery.
Insulin Pumps: Delivers a continuous flow of insulin throughout the day and can be programmed to administer bolus doses as needed.

Diabetes Management Apps

These apps can help you track your blood sugar levels, insulin doses, food intake, and physical activity.

Benefits: Provides a comprehensive overview of your diabetes management and helps you identify patterns and trends.
Popular Apps: mySugr, Glucose Buddy, Diabetes:M.

Educational Resources

Numerous organizations offer educational resources and support for individuals with diabetes:

American Diabetes Association (ADA): Provides comprehensive information about diabetes, including resources on diet, exercise, medication, and blood sugar management.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF): Focuses on research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and provides support for individuals and families affected by the disease.
Diabetes UK: Offers support, information, and advocacy for people living with diabetes in the UK.

Summary Table: Action Plan for High Blood Sugar

| Step | Action | Rationale | | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1. Check Blood Sugar | Use a blood glucose meter to measure your blood sugar level. | Provides accurate data to make informed decisions. | | 2. Understand Target Range | Know your personalized blood sugar target range. | Helps you determine the severity of the hyperglycemia and the need for corrective action. | | 3. Administer Insulin | If you take insulin, follow your healthcare provider's instructions for administering a correction dose. | Insulin helps lower blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells. | | 4. Hydrate with Water | Drink 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day. | Helps flush out excess glucose through urine. | | 5. Engage in Light Exercise | Take a short walk or engage in light physical activity. | Increases insulin sensitivity and utilizes glucose for energy. | | 6. Recheck Blood Sugar | Recheck your blood sugar levels after 1-2 hours. | Helps you evaluate the effectiveness of your corrective actions. | | 7. Identify Potential Causes | Determine the underlying cause of the high blood sugar. | Helps prevent future occurrences. |

Taking control of your blood sugar levels is a critical aspect of managing diabetes and preventing long-term health complications. By following this comprehensive action plan, you can effectively address high blood sugar when it occurs and proactively work towards maintaining optimal blood sugar control. Remember to always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance tailored to your individual needs.