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

Experiencing high blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, can be concerning for individuals with diabetes or those at risk. Elevated blood sugar levels, if left unaddressed, can lead to various short-term discomforts and long-term health complications. This article provides a practical and actionable plan on what to do when your blood sugar is high, empowering you to take control of your health and prevent potential issues. What Your A1C Test Really Means For Your Blood Sugar Control

Why Is Managing High Blood Sugar Important?

Before diving into the action plan, it’s crucial to understand why managing high blood sugar is so vital. Consistently elevated blood sugar levels can lead to: How A1C Blood Sugar Relates To Your Daily Glucose Readings

• Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination: The body tries to flush out excess glucose.
• Fatigue and Weakness: Cells aren't getting the energy they need.
• Blurred Vision: High glucose levels can affect the lens of the eye.
• Headaches: A common symptom of dehydration and imbalances.
• Increased Risk of Infections: High glucose environments can promote bacterial growth.
• Long-term Complications: Over time, damage to blood vessels, nerves, and organs can occur, leading to conditions like neuropathy, kidney disease, heart disease, and vision loss.

Therefore, promptly addressing high blood sugar is crucial for both immediate relief and long-term health management.

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

Here's a comprehensive guide on what to do when you discover your blood sugar is high.

1. Check Your Blood Sugar Level

• The Importance of Monitoring: The first step is to confirm that your blood sugar is indeed high using a blood glucose meter. This helps you understand the severity and allows you to take appropriate action.
• How to Check: Follow the instructions provided with your glucose meter to ensure accurate readings. Generally, this involves pricking your finger with a lancet and applying a small drop of blood to the test strip.
• Understanding the Result: Know your target range. Generally:
  • For people with diabetes: A reading above your target range (as defined by your doctor) is considered high.
  • Without diabetes: Blood sugar levels are generally considered high if they consistently exceed 125 mg/dL while fasting or 180 mg/dL two hours after eating.

2. Determine the Cause (If Possible)

• Common Triggers: Understanding what caused your blood sugar to spike can help you prevent future occurrences. Common triggers include:
  • Dietary Indiscretions: Consuming a large meal high in carbohydrates or sugary foods.
  • Missed Medication: Forgetting or delaying your insulin or oral diabetes medication.
  • Infection or Illness: The body's response to illness can elevate blood sugar.
  • Stress: Stress hormones can impact blood sugar levels.
  • Dehydration: Lack of fluids can concentrate glucose in the blood.
  • Inactivity: Lack of physical activity can reduce insulin sensitivity.
• Keeping a Food Journal: Maintaining a log of your meals, medications, and activities can help identify patterns and triggers.

3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

• Why Hydration Matters: Drinking plenty of water helps dilute the high glucose concentration in your blood and encourages your kidneys to flush out excess sugar through urine.
• Best Fluids to Drink: Opt for water, sugar-free beverages like unsweetened tea, or diluted sugar-free sports drinks.
• Avoid Sugary Drinks: Stay away from sugary sodas, juices, and sweetened beverages as they will only worsen the problem.
• Target Fluid Intake: Aim to drink 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day, especially when your blood sugar is elevated.

4. Take Your Medication as Prescribed

• Insulin Users: If you take insulin, follow your doctor's instructions for adjusting your dose when your blood sugar is high. This might involve taking a correction dose of rapid-acting insulin. Never adjust your insulin dosage without guidance from your healthcare provider.
• Oral Medication Users: If you take oral diabetes medications, ensure you take them as prescribed. Some medications help your body produce more insulin or improve its sensitivity to insulin.
• Contact Your Doctor if Unsure: If you are unsure about your medication dosage or how to adjust it, contact your doctor or certified diabetes educator immediately.

5. Exercise (With Caution)

• Benefits of Physical Activity: Physical activity can help lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity and allowing cells to use glucose for energy.
• Important Considerations:
  • Check Your Blood Sugar First: If your blood sugar is very high (e.g., above 250 mg/dL) and you have ketones in your urine, avoid exercise. Exercising under these conditions can actually cause your blood sugar to rise further.
  • Choose Low-Impact Activities: Opt for activities like walking, light jogging, or cycling.
  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water during and after exercise.
  • Monitor Your Blood Sugar: Check your blood sugar before, during, and after exercise to see how your body responds.
• When to Avoid Exercise: According to The American Diabetes Association, "If your blood sugar is high (over 240 mg/dl), check your urine for ketones. If ketones are present, do not exercise. If ketones are not present, it is generally safe to exercise."

6. Check for Ketones (If Applicable)

• What are Ketones?: Ketones are produced when your body doesn't have enough insulin to use glucose for energy and starts breaking down fat instead.
• When to Check: Check for ketones if your blood sugar is consistently high (typically above 250 mg/dL) or if you have symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fruity-smelling breath.
• How to Check: You can check for ketones using an over-the-counter urine ketone test kit or a blood ketone meter.
• When to Seek Medical Attention: If you have ketones, especially if you have symptoms of DKA, seek immediate medical attention. DKA is a serious condition that requires prompt treatment.

7. Monitor Your Blood Sugar Regularly

• Frequency: Check your blood sugar every few hours to see if your actions are bringing it back within the target range.
• Record Your Readings: Keep a record of your blood sugar levels and any actions you take (e.g., drinking water, taking insulin, exercising). This information can be helpful for your doctor in making adjustments to your treatment plan.

8. Know When to Seek Medical Attention

• When to Call Your Doctor: Contact your doctor if:
  • Your blood sugar remains persistently high despite your efforts to lower it.
  • You have symptoms of DKA (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fruity-smelling breath).
  • You have any other concerning symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or confusion.
• When to Go to the Emergency Room: Go to the nearest emergency room if you have severe symptoms of DKA or if you are unable to keep fluids down due to vomiting.

Example Scenario and Action Plan

Let's consider a practical example:

Scenario: John, who has type 2 diabetes, checks his blood sugar after lunch and finds it to be 220 mg/dL (his target range is 80-130 mg/dL before meals).

John's Action Plan:

1. Confirmation: John confirms his blood sugar is high.
2. Possible Cause: He realizes he ate a large piece of cake at lunch, which was higher in carbohydrates than he realized.
3. Hydration: He drinks a large glass of water.
4. Medication: Following his doctor’s instructions, he takes a correction dose of his rapid-acting insulin.
5. Light Activity: John goes for a brisk 20-minute walk around his neighborhood.
6. Monitoring: He checks his blood sugar again in two hours. It is now 160 mg/dL.
7. Continued Monitoring: He continues to monitor his blood sugar before his next meal to ensure it stays within his target range.

Long-Term Strategies for Preventing High Blood Sugar

While it’s essential to know what to do when your blood sugar is high, it’s even more important to focus on preventing it in the first place. Here are some long-term strategies:

1. Follow a Balanced Diet

• Focus on Whole Foods: Emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
• Limit Processed Foods: Reduce your intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and refined carbohydrates.
• Portion Control: Pay attention to portion sizes to avoid overeating.
• Work with a Dietitian: Consult with a registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator to develop a personalized meal plan.

2. Engage in Regular Physical Activity

• Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
• Choose activities you enjoy: This will make it easier to stick with your exercise routine.
• Incorporate both aerobic exercise (e.g., walking, swimming, cycling) and strength training (e.g., weightlifting, bodyweight exercises).

3. Manage Stress

• Identify your stress triggers.
• Practice stress-reduction techniques: such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or spending time in nature.
• Ensure adequate sleep.
• Seek professional help: if you are struggling to manage stress on your own.

4. Monitor Your Blood Sugar Regularly

• Follow your doctor's recommendations for how often to check your blood sugar.
• Keep a record of your readings: to identify trends and patterns.
• Use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM): if appropriate. CGMs can provide real-time blood sugar readings and alerts, which can help you better manage your diabetes.

5. Take Medications as Prescribed

• Follow your doctor's instructions for taking your insulin or oral diabetes medications.
• Never skip doses or change your dosage without consulting your doctor.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist: if you have any questions about your medications.

6. Get Regular Checkups

• See your doctor regularly: for routine checkups and diabetes management.
• Discuss your blood sugar levels, medication adjustments, and any concerns you may have.
• Get regular eye exams, foot exams, and kidney function tests: to screen for diabetes-related complications.

Blood Sugar Level Chart for Reference

| Category | Blood Sugar Level (mg/dL) | | ----------------- | -------------------------- | | Normal (Fasting) | Less than 100 | | Prediabetes (Fasting) | 100 to 125 | | Diabetes (Fasting) | 126 or higher | | Normal (2 hours after eating) | Less than 140 | | Prediabetes (2 hours after eating) | 140 to 199 | | Diabetes (2 hours after eating) | 200 or higher |

Note: These values are general guidelines. Your target blood sugar range may vary depending on your individual circumstances and your doctor's recommendations. What Are The Main Factors Affecting Blood Sugar In Type 2 Diabetes

Conclusion

Experiencing high blood sugar can be unsettling, but with a clear action plan and a proactive approach, you can effectively manage your blood sugar levels and prevent potential complications. By following the steps outlined in this article, including monitoring your blood sugar, staying hydrated, taking your medication as prescribed, exercising with caution, and knowing when to seek medical attention, you can take control of your health and well-being. Remember that consistent monitoring and a healthy lifestyle are key to preventing future episodes of high blood sugar and maintaining long-term health. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance.