Is 166 High For Blood Sugar

Treatment For High Blood Sugar Levels

For those with high blood sugar levels, it is vital to keep track of your blood sugars at home on a daily basis. This can be done with a glucose meter. These test monitors are often provided to diabetic patients so that they can manage their blood sugar levels at home everyday. They are available to purchase online if you are non-diabetic but wish to check on your levels regularly for safety.

Diabetic patients can be prescribed medications to help with insulin levels when their blood sugar is high. Those with type 1 diabetes will be prescribed medication which needs to be taken several times daily. This type of diabetes has no cure but can be managed with the right medication.

Those with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes can treat their high blood sugar with a change in diet or exercise. A healthier balanced diet is usually advised and sometimes, insulin medication is also prescribed if the blood sugar level becomes abnormally higher than the high reading for diabetic patients.

The Causes Of High Blood Sugar

In general, higher than normal blood glucose levels can be caused by:

• not taking your diabetes medicine when you’re supposed to or not taking the right amounts
• eating more food than your meal plan allows
• not getting enough exercise
• having an illness, like the flu
• taking other kinds of medicines that affect how your diabetes medicines work

Keeping blood sugar levels close to normal can be hard sometimes, and nobody’s perfect. Grown-ups can help you stay in balance if you have diabetes. Sometimes blood sugar levels can be high because you’re growing and your doctor needs to make some changes in your diabetes treatment plan.

How Is It Determined If The Dawn Phenomenon Or Somogyi Effect Is Causing The High Blood Sugar Levels

Your doctor will likely ask you to check your blood sugar levels between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. for several nights in a row. If your blood sugar is consistently low during this time, the Somogyi effect is suspected. If the blood sugar is normal during this time period, the dawn phenomenon is more likely to be the cause.

Some additional clues that the Somogyi effect may be the cause include nightmares, restless sleep and overnight sweating as these are all signs of low blood sugar levels.

You May Like: What Is The Normal Random Blood Sugar Level

What Is The Dawn Phenomenon

Your body uses glucose for energy and it is important to have enough extra energy to be able to wake up in the morning. So for a period of time in the early morning hours, usually between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m., your body starts churning out stored glucose to prepare for the upcoming day.

At the same time, your body releases hormones that reduce your sensitivity to insulin. In addition, these events may be happening while your diabetes medication doses taken the day before are wearing off.

These events cause your body’s blood sugar levels to rise in the morning .

Mental Stress And Sympathetic Nervous System

Stressors are intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli leading to disturbances in physiology and psychology, and may threaten health. Compared with physical stressors, modern stressors arising from psychological threat are more sustained. Chronic mental stress, resulting from the modern lifestyle, is frequently associated with physiologic and psychological disturbances, and may indirectly lead to diabetes and hypertension .

Although epidemiologic investigations have demonstrated that mental stress is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome , the effect of mental stress on the whole body is not completely understood. Animal experiments taught us that the mechanisms include renal sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure control in which baroreflex function is involved.

In the human body, stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system , caused by chronic stress, elevates pulse rate and cardiac minute output and also activates the RAAS, which is another important pressor mechanism . Increased activity of the SNS also plays a part in the development of impaired glucose and lipid metabolism . Studying the SNS and RAAS allows us to understand their roles in the etiology and treatment of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes .

Don’t Miss: What Artificial Sweetener Tastes The Most Like Sugar

Normal Range Of Fasting Blood Sugar Found Among Men : 74

Ideal values of Fasting blood sugar depending on age :

For those who are unhealthy – Try Meal plans based on The Longevity Diet, and eat the foods that the world’s oldest, healthiest people consume.

Now available in most of the cities of the USA.

What Is A Good A1c Level

Levels between 5.7 and 6.4 are considered prediabetes. For most people with diabetes, the general A1C goal is to have a level between 6.0 and 6.9. While it might sound like the ideal A1C target is under 6.0, for those with diabetes, this level can indicate low blood sugar levels, which can be just as dangerous as high blood sugar levels. If A1C results fall between 7.0 and 8.9, a doctor might suggest lifestyle changes or medications to help lower the levels to what is considered controlled. However, for some people, these levels might be appropriate, such as:

• Those with a limited life expectancy
• People with long-standing diabetes who have trouble reaching a lower goal
• Those with severe hypoglycemia or the inability to sense hypoglycemia

Also Check: Can Fiber Help Lower Blood Sugar

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Doctors generally only perform this prediabetes blood test during pregnancy. Like the fasting blood sugar test, the doctor will take a blood sample after the patient has been fasting for at least eight hours. Then, the patient will consume a sugary liquid and have their blood sugar levels tested again in two hours.

In this test, a blood sugar level from 140 to 199 mg/dL is considered prediabetes. Any higher indicates diabetes.

What Is A Dangerous Blood Sugar Reading

The American Diabetes Association recommends fasting blood glucose between 80-130 mg/dL and postprandial blood sugar of no more than 180 mg/dL as healthy targets for people with diabetes.

When you check your blood sugar using a glucometer, a reading of 70 mg/dL or below indicates hypoglycaemia, or low blood glucose.

On the other end of the spectrum, hyperglycaemia occurs when the level of glucose in your blood is too high. According to the World Health Organisation, fasting blood sugar greater than 126 mg/dL , and postprandial blood sugar exceeding 200 mg/dL indicates hyperglycaemia.

Read Also: What Is The Best Substitute Sugar For Diabetics

Simple Strategies For Blood Sugar Control

Looking for ways to rein in your blood sugar? Prevent your levels from going too low or too high with these tips.

Thinkstock

Maintaining good blood sugar control might take dedication and time, but making it a priority can help you avoid or delay serious complications of type 2 diabetes.

Managing type 2 diabetes is a long war, not a battle won within a month or two, says Sethu K. Reddy, MD, MBA, chief of the adult diabetes section at Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Massachusetts.

Consequences Of Blood Sugar Levels

Whilst most symptoms of low and high blood sugar levels are mild, they can worsen if left untreated and sometimes have long term consequences and/or complications. Overtime, a high blood sugar level is what can cause consequences. Lack of treatment can cause severe damage to the blood vessels and lead to complications such as:

• Heart attack

Also Check: What Fruit Has The Highest Sugar Content

Is 161 A High Blood Sugar

High Blood Sugar Levelshighblood sugar levelslevels

A reading of 160 mg/dl or higher is typically considered high blood sugar . Over time, blood sugar in the range of 160 to 250 mg/dl can affect every organ in your body, Dr. Low blood sugar occurs when levels fall to less than 70 mg/dl.

Additionally, what is a dangerous level of blood sugar? If your blood sugar level tops 600 milligrams per deciliter , or 33.3 millimoles per liter , the condition is called diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome. Severely high blood sugar turns your blood thick and syrupy.

Herein, is 157 high for blood sugar?

Your blood glucose reading taken two hours after you start to eat should be about 30 mg/dl higher than before you eat. However, a reading of 157 mg/dl two hours after eating one cup of pasta tells you how much pasta you can eat to keep your after-meal readings within the target range.

Is 153 high blood sugar?

High blood glucose levels lead to more hemoglobin being glycated. Measuring your A1C is an alternative to measuring fasting blood glucose. Hemoglobin Chart.

How To Lower Your A1c Levels

Its important to get your hemoglobin A1C levels as close to normal as possible, says Dr. Bellatoni, Decreasing your hemoglobin A1C decreases your risk of having complications from diabetes. Even if you cannot get your A1C back to the normal range, any improvement lowers your risk of diabetes complications.

Also Check: What Raises Your Blood Sugar

Caution: Birth Control Pills

Types that have estrogen can affect the way your body handles insulin. Still, oral contraceptives are safe for women with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association suggests a combination pill with norgestimate and synthetic estrogen. The group also says birth control shots and implants are safe for women with the condition, though they can affect your blood sugar levels.

Blood Sugar Level Chart And Diabetes Information

Synopsis: Information and printable chart showing diabetic blood sugar levels for persons with diabetes or pre-diabetes. The results of blood sugar tests vary by testing method and lab but generally doctors consider a fasting blood sugar of up to 100 mg/dL to be within the average range. A number of medical studies have shown a dramatic relationship between elevated blood sugar levels and insulin resistance in people who are not very active on a daily or regular basis.

Don’t Miss: How Do Carbs Convert To Sugar

What Is High Blood Glucose

People who do not have diabetes typically have fasting plasma blood glucose levels that run under 100 mg/dl.

Your physician will define for you what your target blood glucose should be identifying a blood glucose target that is as close to normal as possible that you can safely achieve given your overall medical health. In general, high blood glucose, also called ‘hyperglycemia’, is considered “high” when it is 160 mg/dl or above your individual blood glucose target. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider what he or she thinks is a safe target for you for blood glucose before and after meals.

If your blood glucose runs high for long periods of time, this can pose significant problems for your long-term increased risk of complications, such as eye disease, kidney disease, heart attacks and strokes and more. High blood glucose can pose health problems in the short-term as well. Your treatment plan may need adjustment if the blood glucose stays over 180 mg/dl for 3 days in a row. It is important to aim to keep your blood glucose under control and treat hyperglycemia when it occurs.

• Increased thirst
• Slow healing cuts and sores
• Unexplained weight loss

• Too much food
• Too little exercise or physical activity
• Skipped or not enough diabetes pills or insulin
• Insulin that has spoiled after being exposed to extreme heat or freezing cold
• Stress, illness, infection, injury or surgery
• A blood glucose meter that is not reading accurately

Quarantine Snacking For People With Diabetes

The Wellthy Magazine is on a mission to become India’s go-to destination for all things diabetes! We provide you with credible information rooted in research that has been verified by experts.

. , .

Read Also: Can High Blood Sugar Cause Chest Pain

High Blood Sugar Symptoms

Hyperglycemia is the medical term for high blood sugar. Hyperglycemia happens when the body doesnt have enough insulin or when it cant use insulin correctly. Many things can cause high blood glucose levels like Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, stress, illness, or the dawn phenomenon. If you have hyperglycemia or suspect you may have it, talking with a healthcare provider is always a good idea. A doctor can help you determine whats causing your high blood sugar levels and lower it to a healthy range.

Here are some of the most common symptoms that may indicate hyperglycemia:

• Fatigue

• Vision loss

You should seek immediate medical attention if your blood sugar reaches 400 mg/dL or higher.

When patients experience any of these accompanied by elevated blood sugar levels, diabetic patients are advised to go directly to the ER to avoid diabetes-induced coma, says Vikram Tarugu, MD, a gastroenterologist and the CEO of Detox of South Florida. Patients who have elevated blood sugar may also present with frothy, ketone-like smelling breath.

Here are some lifestyle changes and medical treatments that can help treat hyperglycemia:

Low Blood Sugar Symptoms

Hypoglycemia happens when blood glucose levels drop too low. Low blood sugar can be caused by many things including the two different types of diabetes, certain medications, alcohol, endocrine disorders, eating disorders, pregnancy , and disorders of the liver, kidneys, or heart.

Here are some of the most common symptoms that someone with low blood sugar might experience:

• Lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Tingling lips

If your blood sugar is low you might start to feel some of the first signs of hypoglycemia like dizziness, lightheadedness, or sweating. The only way to know for sure if your blood sugar is low is to test it with a glucose meter or other glucose monitoring device.

If you dont have access to these tools and start to feel the symptoms of low blood sugar, consume 15 grams of carbs or take a quick dissolve glucose tablet to raise your blood sugar levels and avoid further symptoms, according to the American Diabetes Association . Once your blood sugar is back in its target range, you can have a snack or meal to make sure it doesnt drop again.

Here are some other lifestyle and medicinal treatments that can help treat hypoglycemia:

• Eat a healthy diet full of whole foods that are minimally processed.
• Take prediabetes or diabetes medications as recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Use a glucagon kit in emergencies. Glucagon is a hormone that raises blood sugar levels quickly.

You May Like: What Spices Lower Blood Sugar

How The Fasting Blood Sugar Test Is Done :

If your doctor wants Fasting blood sugar test on you, you may need a Fasting blood sugar blood test. During the Fasting blood sugar blood test, a pathologist will put a needle into your veins and take out a small quantity of blood. A pathologist is a physician in the medical field who thoroughly studies the causes and effects of disease. Within a few hours you will get your Fasting blood sugar Test report by your pathologist.

Why Does Your Blood Sugar Rise

When you eat carbohydrates, your body breaks down the sugars they contain into glucose. Your body can’t absorb most sugars without breaking them down first. Simple sugars such as refined sugar break down very quickly you absorb them rapidly into your bloodstream, which raises your blood sugar. In healthy people, the levels don’t rise very high and they drop back to normal quickly. If you have diabetes, your levels after a meal will rise higher and stay high longer than levels in other people. This occurs because your pancreas either don’t release enough insulin, the hormone that helps cells absorb glucose, or because the cells don’t respond properly to insulin release.

You May Like: What Can Happen When Blood Sugar Is High

Understanding Your Eag Readings

The normal value for eAG is between 70 mg/dl and 126 mg/dl . A person with diabetes should aim for an eAG less than 154 mg/dl to lower the risk for diabetes complications.

The results of an eAG test may not match your average of day-to-day blood sugar tests you have been taking at home on your glucose meter. This is because you are likely to check your sugar levels before meals or when your blood sugar levels are low. But it does not show your blood sugar at other times of the day. So, the average of your results on your meter may be different than your eAG.

Your doctor should never tell you what your blood sugar values are based on the eAG because the range of average blood glucose for any individual person is very broad for each A1c level.

There are many medical conditions and medicines that change the relationship between A1c and eAG. Do not use eAG to evaluate your diabetes control if you:

• Have conditions such as kidney disease, sickle cell disease, anemia, or thalassemia
• Are taking certain medicines, such as dapsone, erythropoietin, or iron

The 411 On A1c: Normal A1c Levels And 15 Ways To Lower High A1c

The hemoglobin A1C test is the closest thing to a diabetes scorecard you can find. Whether someone has had diabetes mellitus for years or if they have just been diagnosed, they have probably heard about this test. Unlike blood sugar meters people use at home, the A1C measures an average blood sugar level over the past several months by analyzing how many of a patients hemoglobin cells have glucose attached to them. The test results keep track of how well a person is managing his or her diabetes.

You May Like: Is Extra Sugar Free Gum Keto Friendly