Take Your Insulin As Prescribed
High blood sugar occurs when your body has too little insulin, or your body cant use insulin properly. Administering insulin can bring your blood sugar levels down.
Talk to your doctor about how much rapid-acting insulin you should administer when your blood sugar is high.
You may want to check your blood sugar about 1530 minutes after taking insulin to make sure your blood sugar is going down and that its not dropping too low.
When To Call A Professional
If you have type 1 diabetes and feel unwell, check your blood sugar levels often. Also test your urine for ketones. Call your doctor if you have:
- Unexplained nausea and vomiting with or without abdominal pain,
- Moderate or high levels of urine ketones, or
- Your blood sugar is high and you can’t lower it by adjusting your insulin dose.
When To See A Doctor
According to the University of Michigan, blood sugar levels of 300 mg/dL or more can be dangerous. They recommend calling a doctor if you have two readings in a row of 300 or more.
See your doctor if you have consistently high blood sugar levels. Symptoms of this include:
- increased thirst
- high levels of sugar in urine
Ask your doctor how often to check your blood sugar and about your ideal blood sugar levels.
If you dont currently see a doctor who specializes in diabetes, known as an endocrinologist, you can find one by searching the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists website.
You can find a certified diabetes educator by visiting the American Diabetes Associations website and searching by zip code.
Summary
Talk to your doctor if you have consistently high blood sugar readings or symptoms of chronic hyperglycemia.
Checking your blood sugar and then treating hyperglycemia early will help prevent any complications.
Health problems can arise when someone has high blood sugar regularly and without treatment.
Examples of complications include:
- nerve damage, called diabetic neuropathy, that may affect sensations in the feet and hands
- diabetic retinopathy, or damage to the blood vessels in the eyes that affects vision
- increased risks for kidney problems
- increased risks for heart problems
Taking steps to keep your blood sugar at target levels can help to minimize the likelihood that these complications will occur.
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How To Bring Blood Sugar Down Fast If Over 400
High blood sugar or hyperglycemia is caused when your sugar levels are higher in the blood than the normal range. Constant high blood sugar can increase the risk of heart and blood vessel disease, stroke, loss of vision, and kidney problems. Most of the people who have diabetes do not know how to bring blood sugar down fast if over 400 orthe normal range.
This article will help you to understand how to lower blood sugar immediately and will enable you to fight against hyperglycemia by following a healthy lifestyle.
Naturally, your body breaks down the food you eat into sugar. The insulin hormone transports this sugar into your cells, where it is used as energy by the body. In diabetes, insulin does not move this sugar in the cells, which in turn lead to health complications.
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- Fatigue or tiredness
When To See A Healthcare Provider
Getting professional medical advice from a healthcare provider like an endocrinologist is the best way to learn more about whether your blood sugar levels are where they should be. Not getting proper treatment for low or high blood sugar levels can be serious and lead to health complications, especially for those with diabetes. Diabetes complications include nerve damage, kidney disease, heart disease, or heart attacks.
If you see a healthcare provider about your blood sugar levels, be prepared to answer questions about risk factors like what you eat, how much you exercise, and about your family history. Some healthcare providers may want to take a blood sample to test your blood sugar levels. They may also order an A1C test, which is a blood test that measures blood sugar levels over several months. You may have to fast eight hours beforehand to get accurate test results, so its always a good idea to check before your appointment.
If your blood sugar level goes above 250 mg/dL, you should go to the ER for immediate medical attention, says Dr. Tarugu. Emergency rooms are equipped to handle high blood sugar levels and can administer treatments like insulin therapy and fluid or electrolyte replacement.
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Best Ways To Lower Blood Sugar Quickly
When treated early, you can bring high blood sugar levels down and prevent complications, including DKA.
Some sources suggest that drinking water or eating a high protein snack can quickly lower your blood sugar levels, though there isnt enough research to support this.
If you have high blood sugar and need to lower it fast, try the following methods:
Causes Of Blood Sugar Level 250
Apart diabetes, and some illness, such levels of glucose may also be due to the intakeof specific medicines such as steroids, beta blockers, antipsychotics,pentamidine etc.
You can click in the following sections to find out the detailed information of eating, after eating anddrug-induced levels of glucose 250-400 mg/dl.
| Fasting | After Medication |
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How Do You Treat Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar levels happen when theres too little glucose left in the bloodstream to continue supplying fuel to your organs, muscles, and tissues. It most often occurs when you dont eat enough food, especially carb-containing foods, given your blood-sugar-lowering medications and physical activity levels, ONeill says. Levels can decrease gradually or suddenly.
When the amount of glucose in the bloodstream drops to too-low levels, the body reacts by releasing epinephrine, also called adrenaline or the fight or flight hormone. Epinephrine revs your heart rate and can cause sweating, shaking, anxiety, and irritability. If not enough glucose is able to reach the brain, the result may be difficulty concentrating, confused thinking, and slurred speech. In extreme cases, a lack of glucose within the brain can lead to seizures, coma, and even death, she says.
People with low glucose levels can use the ADAs 15-15 Rule, which advises people consume 15 g of carbs, wait 15 minutes, and check their levels again. If the number is still low, repeat until reaching at least 70 mg/dL.
You can find 15 g of carbs in:
- 1 slice of bread
- 1 small piece of fresh fruit
- cup of yogurt
- Three to four hard candies
- Glucose tablets as indicated on the label
- Glucose gel as indicated on the label
Once your glucose levels are back to normal, the ADA suggests going ahead and eating your next scheduled meal or snack, which will help prevent levels from dropping again.
What To Do After You Overcome A High Blood Sugar Reading
Make it a priority to understand what caused your high reading in the first place, so you can focus on how to prevent it from occurring again.
Was it something that you ate? A food with lots of simple sugars? Or did you drink a soda? If it was a food or drink, you know to avoid it in future and start making better choices.
Is it that you have been ignoring your diabetes and not taking care of yourself? And it may be that you have high blood sugar all the time? What can you do to rectify this? Eat better? Exercise more?
Was it a stressful event that caused this?
Was it an illness?
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What Should I Do If My Glucose Levels Are Too High
You should establish a treatment plan with your doctor. You may be able to manage your glucose levels through diet and other lifestyle changes, like weight loss. Exercise can also help lower your glucose levels.
Medications may be added to your treatment if needed. Most people with type 2 diabetes will start on metformin as their first medication. There are many different types of diabetes medications that act in different ways.
Injecting insulin is one way to quickly reduce your glucose levels. Your doctor may prescribe insulin if you need help managing your glucose levels. Your doctor will determine your dosage and go over with you how to inject it, and when.
Let your doctor know if your glucose levels are consistently high. This could mean you need to take regular medication or make other changes to your diabetes treatment plan. Working with your doctor to get your glucose levels under control is important. Consistently high levels can lead to serious complications, like diabetic neuropathy or kidney failure.
When Is It Necessary To Call A Doctor If You Have Diabetes
- If you have diabetes and your blood sugar is 300 mg/dL or higher two times in a row for an unknown reason.
- If you have a low blood sugar that has not come up after three treatments, call your healthcare provider or 911.
- If you see a person with diabetes who appears confused, they may be having a low blood sugar episode. Left untreated, the low blood sugar could lead to a diabetic coma. If the person is still able to follow instructions, give him or her something to drink or eat and call for an ambulance or 911.
- If you see someone with diabetes become unresponsive, call 911.
If you do call 911, let the responders know that the person has diabetes if theyre not able to communicate. If you do have diabetes, you may want to wear a medical identification item like a bracelet or necklace.
When you are taken to a healthcare facility, providers will do a physical examination and take blood to determine levels of glucose, ketones and other substances.
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Eat The Right Carbohydrates
The two main kinds of carbohydrates simple and complex affect blood sugar levels differently.
Simple carbohydrates are mainly made up of one kind of sugar. They are found in foods, such as white bread, pasta, and candy. The body breaks these carbohydrates down into sugar very quickly, which causes blood sugar levels to rise rapidly.
Complex carbohydrates are made up of three or more sugars that are linked together. Because the chemical makeup of these kinds of carbohydrates is complicated, it takes the body longer to break them down.
As a result, sugar is released into the body more gradually, meaning that blood sugar levels do not rapidly rise after eating them. Examples of complex carbohydrates include whole grain oats and sweet potatoes.
Very High Blood Sugar Level 250
Usually, symptoms of diabetes are evident when glucose in the bloodstream reaches the levels above 250 mg/dl. If you have just found out you have diabetes, start treatment immediately.
You might experience extreme fatigue, frequent urination, and dry mouth.
Blood sugar levels 250-400 mg/dl are usually notan indication for hospitalization, so you most probably should consult withyour doctor about the proper anti-diabetic therapy.
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Prevention Of Having High Blood Sugar Levels 250
If left untreated, it will cause serious health issues. The most common long-term complications of these levels of blood glucose can cause kidney failure, heart problems such as heart attacks, brain problems such as strokes, can damage the nerves of inferior limbs, can damage the eyes and may even cause total blindness.
If prediabetic, prevention can be done by making thelifestyle changes as described above.
If you know you have diabetes, continue with the lifestylechanges and with the correct and punctual intake of your drugs. Be sure tomeasure your glucose level three times a day.
In case the increased blood glucose was caused by certain medications, then should not use these drugs again.
If you must use these drugs, consult with your doctor first, and tell your previous history with spikes in blood sugar.
He might come up with a plan to avoid your glucose levels to rise while using this drug.
What Level Of Blood Sugar Is Dangerous
A lot is spoken about high blood sugar levels and ways to keep them in control. With the rising incidence of diabetes, many people are concerned about their sugar levels and wish to plan a routine that keeps their blood sugar levels with the normal range. So, what level of blood sugar is dangerous and how to bring it down quickly? This is a commonly asked question. Let us look at it in detail.
An ideal range of blood sugar level is 90-160. A level which points towards 160-240 is a called a very high level. Above 240 the diabetes is listed as out of control. And if you have a blood sugar level of 300 or up, remember its a medical emergency and you need to get consulted immediately.
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How To Know If You Are At Risk For High Blood Sugar
Usually, people with type 1 diabetes will experience high blood sugar if they have not taken enough insulin or if they have type 2 diabetes the recommended dosage of insulin is not working as it should.
Apart from this, your chances of hyperglycemia increase if you:
- Eat too many processed and junk food
- Do not have any exercise routine
- Have a habit of eating large meals or binge eating
- Take too much stress about anything
- Suffer from any recurring illness
- Have a family history of diabetes
Lets find out how to lower blood sugar quickly in an emergency.
Blood Sugar Levels After Eating
Blood sugar fluctuates throughout the day, but the biggest changes happen around mealtimes. Before eating, a healthy sugar level is between 3.9-5.5mmol/L. Around 1-2 hours after eating, expect blood sugar to rise to 5-10mmol/L.
If your blood sugar doesn’t stick within these ranges, the body may have stopped regulating blood sugar effectively which can lead to prediabetes and diabetes.
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Are You At Risk For High Blood Sugar How To Know
- Eat too many processed or fast foods
- Dont exercise regularly
- Eat large meals, or engage in binge eating
- Are under a lot of stress on a regular basis, either from work, dating, or another factor
- Have recurring illnesses
What Is Considered Normal Blood Sugar Levels
You can measure blood sugar levels with an at-home finger-prick test that gives you an instant reading of the mmol’s of sugar per liter of your blood. Generally, depending on the time of day and when you last ate, this can vary between 5.0-10mmol/L.
But what is a normal blood sugar level in Canada? Here is a handy blood sugar level chart based on the guidelines by Diabetes Canada:
Non-diabetic Ranges
After eating : 5.0-10.0mmol/L
Bedtime: 5.0-7.0mmol/L
Most diabetic adults: 4.0-7.0mmol/L fasted state, 5.0-10mmol/L after eating
Diabetics who are pregnant: < 5.3mmol/L fasted state, < 6.7mmol/L after eating
Gestational diabetics: < 5.3mmol/L fasted state, < 6.7mmol/L after eating
Children with diabetes: 4.0-8.0mmol/L fasted state, 5.0-10.0mmol/L after eating
The wide ranges in each group allow for individual differences. For example, we know that sugar regulation deteriorates with age and in pregnancy. So, if you are elderly you may find that you are on the higher end of each range.
However, each person is different and if you think your blood sugar is not in a normal range, it is important to seek medical advice.
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Try Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has many advantages. You can use it for glowing skin, detoxifying your body, and lowering the blood glucose level. You can easily incorporate apple cider vinegar in your diet by adding into salad dressings or mix two teaspoons in eight ounces of water.
But, if you are already taking any anti-diabetic medication, make sure you consult with your pharmacist or doctor first.
What Too Low Blood Sugar Is Considered Dangerous
Amongst diabetics, there is another concern regarding their blood sugar readings: VERY LOW BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS.
They are of great concern, and sometimes, an emergency issue. Various factors contribute to low levels of blood sugar, including the natural changes one is doing, drugs he/she is taking, alcohol drinking, etc.
Therefore, it is compulsory to check for any dangerous levels, especially after having your exercise or taking your drugs, as most probably an episode of low blood glucose will occur .
Moreover, you can prepare your own blood sugar chart together with your doctor, where you can put the dangerously high and low blood glucose ranges.
Therefore, it is much easier for you to monitor your situation.
If you are asking what blood glucose level is considered dangerous then, you should know that it all depends on your current health situation.
However, the dangerous sugar levels, where the symptoms of hypoglycemia will occur, are considered those less than 40 mg/dL.
Shaking, nausea, tremors, sweating or increased heart palpitations are some symptoms to recognize your blood sugar is dropping.
Then, you should take a sweet or a glass of fruit juice or a quarter of sugary water .
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What Should I Do If My Blood Sugar Is Over 400
High blood sugar level, which above 400 mg/Dl, can be a medical emergency. Mostly it is treated with IV fluids and insulin right away. But you also need to take some steps to avoid such high sugar levels like eat a healthy diet, stick to a proper workout regime, and take medication properly as recommended by the prescriber.
What Are Considered Normal Blood Sugar Levels
You might not have diabetes now, but do you know the risk factors?
In 2015, 22% of Canadian adults were pre-diabetic and the number of Canadians suffering from diabetes has increased by 44% in the last 10 years. As the leading cause of blindness, kidney problems, and non-trauma amputations, it is important to protect ourselves against diabetes.
But its not all bad news, diabetes is often a preventable disease. Knowing whether you have normal blood sugar levels is one of the best indicators of risk. If your blood sugar levels are high, mindful eating and lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
Read on for all the hottest tips on how to manage your blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes.
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