Managing High as well as Low Blood Sugar
High and low blood sugar is normal in the everyday life of a diabetic. There are many days when blood sugar levels fluctuate uncontrollably. Panicking will not help but understanding how to prevent extreme fluctuations and knowing how to treat them well.
Low Levels of Blood Glucose
Blood glucose levels which go too low is known as hypoglycemia, sometimes called an insulin reaction. Low levels of blood glucose occur when the insulin dose is too much, food is forgotten, and there is too much exercise. For a diabetic, low sugar levels happen every now and then. The best way to avoid hypoglycemic reactions is to know the symptoms.
You can experience one, perhaps more, of the symptoms at any time. If you notice any of the symptoms, you ought to test your blood sugar. If the result is lower than that given by your doctor, you must treat it without delay.
How to Treat Hypoglycemic Reaction
Eating or drinking something concentrated with sugar is the quickest way to bring your blood sugar level up again.
Below are some of the things you can take to raise your blood sugar level:
- Half a cup of any fruit juice.
- About six pieces of candy.
- Three tablets of glucose specially made for treatment of insulin reactions.
After taking any of the above to treat your low level of blood sugar, test your blood again after a quarter of an hour to make sure the sugar level is higher than 80 mg/dL prior to any further activity. To be always ready to overcome hypoglycemic reactions, you ought to have some kind of sugary food which is always within your reach at all times.
Preventing Hypoglycemia
The best methods to counter low blood sugar levels are consistent periodic blood tests, knowing how to notice early signs, and being able to treat it as soon as possible.
see Low blood Sugar – Hypoglycemia
High And Low Blood Glucose Symptoms – Video Guide
High Levels of Blood Glucose
Hyperglycemia is when your levels of blood sugar are too high. It happens when an insulin injection is missed, consuming more than what is specified in your meal plan or not having sufficient exercise. It can also be due to an illness. Hyperglycemia happens now and then to all diabetics and the aim ought to be not allowing it to be prolonged.
Symptoms are normally easily seen when your blood glucose is low. However, with high blood glucose levels, the symptoms, even the more common ones such as having to urinate more often and thirst, are not as easily recognized. If you think your glucose could be high, a blood test can be used to ascertain it. There are diabetics who wrongly believe that they are capable of feeling their high glucose levels with a high degree of accuracy. Unfortunately, this can allow unnoticed high glucose levels to be prolonged sufficiently to reach extreme levels to result in severe medical problems such as ketoacidosis which is a toxic situation that occurs when body fat is used to replace glucose to obtain energy. With prolonged high glucose levels, there are greater risks of long-lasting medical complications affecting the eyes, nerves, blood vessels and kidneys.
see High Blood Sugar – Hyperglycemia
Treating Hyperglycemia
It is normal for you to have high glucose levels from time to time but such a problem can be overcome with enough exercise and lessening the quantity of your food for a time. However, if the elevated glucose level is constant, then, a doctor has to be consulted to perhaps make some adjustments to your insulin doses. You can also get your dietitian to see if your meal plan have to be changed. For children, regular meetings with their dietitian are really necessary as their nutritional as well as their calorie needs change as they grow.
Preventing Hyperglycemia
The best way you can prevent high sugar levels is to:
- Check your blood as often as possible. (see Blood Glucose Monitoring)
- Follow strictly the meal plan given the dietitian.
- Sufficient regular exercise.
- Take medication, including insulin, as prescribed.