When To Contact Your Doctor
Hyperglycemia can turn into a medical emergency like DKA and HHS that requires immediate intervention by your doctor or a local emergency department. If you have two blood sugar readings of 300 mg/dL or more, or have blood sugar above your target range for more than a week, seek immediate medical help.
Signs of hyperglycemia include:
- Ketones in your urine
- Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
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.
Add Resistant Starch To Your Diet
Resistant starch is a type of starch that is not digested in the stomach or small intestine. Because it’s not digested, it does not raise glucose levels. Instead, resistant starch acts as an energy source for gut bacteria, and promotes beneficial bacteria growth within the gut microbiome.
The amount of resistant starch in foods varies depending on ripeness and preparation methods. As bananas ripen, the amount of resistant starch decreases. Some starches develop higher levels of resistant starch if allowed to cool after cooking.
Try incorporating these sources of resistant starch into your next meal:
- Green bananas, plantains
- Oats and barley
- Cooked and cooled rice
This caprese lentil and spinach salad is full of hearty lentils, and is a delicious way to increase your intake of resistant starch.
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Other Herbs To Lower Blood Sugar Fast
Turmeric, Neem, Kudzu, Ginger, Holy Basil and Stevia are all known to play a role in type 2 diabetes. A lot more research is needed to understand how this list of foods that lower blood sugar works and in particular, we need to elucidate their active ingredients and mechanisms of action.
We hope the above herbal remedies and list of foods that lower blood sugar help you.
Experiment With Cinnamon Extract
Cinnamon is known to have many health benefits. Cinnamon has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity by reducing insulin resistance at the cellular level. Studies show that regular intake of cinnamon can lower blood sugar levels by up to 30%.
Cinnamon slows down the breakdown of carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract, slowing the increase in blood sugar after a meal. People are advised to take about 1-6 grams of cinnamon per day, or about 0.5-2 teaspoons, but definitely not take more than that because too much cinnamon can be harmful.
Cinnamon has been shown to reduce fasting blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
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When To Go To The Er
High blood sugar can be very concerning because your body can start burning fat for energy instead of blood glucose.
This can cause conditions such as DKA and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome . These conditions are medical emergencies and can be fatal if left untreated.
DKA is a serious complication of type 1 diabetes. Its rare in people with type 2 diabetes, but can occur.
Symptoms that can indicate you should go to the emergency room include:
- ketones in your urine, as diagnosed using a urine dipstick test
- confusion
- stomach pain
- vomiting
High blood sugar levels can cause a fluid imbalance in the body and can cause the blood to become acidic in a manner that doesnt support life.
Medical treatments for these conditions include administering intravenous insulin on a continuous basis and IV fluids to correct dehydration.
Summary
High blood sugar can become a medical emergency. Go to the ER if you suspect DKA or HHS.
Eat Smaller More Frequent Meals Throughout The Day
Think breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner and well, yes, maybe another snack!
Large, infrequent meals will cause bigger shifts in blood sugar, than smaller more frequent meals. This means smaller portions throughout the day with simple snacks will help maintain steadier blood sugar levels. Be prepared, plan your meals and bring snacks with you.
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Final Tips To Lower Blood Sugar Levels
While diet is important to manage blood sugar levels, so is overall lifestyle. Adequate sleep, enough water intake, and getting movement each day are all important factors that can promote lower blood sugar levels around the clock. Some people find that eating several times a day works better for them while others find they do best with three larger meals throughout the day. Test out both to see which works for you, and listen to your body. Prioritize eating real foods with a balanced intake of protein, fiber, and healthy fats throughout the day for overall healthier blood sugar levels as much as possible.
Other foods worth mentioning for lower blood sugar levels are coconut butter, dark chocolate, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, other nuts and seeds, most all vegetables, greens, fiber-rich fruits like berries and apples, and even black coffee. Remember, theres no need to deprive yourself when taking care of your body but choosing high-quality, real foods is key.
For more information, check out these tips so you can be on your way to better blood sugar levels in no time!
If you make your own coffee in the morning, chances are youre only making the same boring kind everyday. Now its time to put an end to the cynical habit and turn you into an instant coffee connoisseur.
The only difference here is taste. And when it comes to coffee, taste matters. A lot.
How To Lower Blood Sugar Immediately Without Medication
Several of these options can work to get blood sugar immediately without medication in the short-term without additional medication. These solutions are meant to be implemented on days when life just doesnt go as planned, maybe you eat something you werent supposed to or forget to take your medicine. But, if you are correctly managing your blood sugar you should not need to be constantly chasing highs and lows. With the correct combination of healthy lifestyle choices and medication, you can maintain a stable blood sugar level most of the time. Additionally, checking your levels frequently and keeping a log of your numbers, can help you learn how your body reacts to stress, food, exercise, and whatever life throws your way.
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Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels
Measuring and monitoring blood sugar levels can also help you control them. Keeping track of your blood sugar levels helps you determine if you need to make adjustments to meals or medications. It will also help you find out how your body reacts to certain foods.
Try measuring your levels every day and keep track of the numbers in a diary or mobile application.
Check your sugar levels and write down the values in a diabetes diary, this will help you adjust foods and medications to reduce your sugar levels.
Keep An Eye On Your Carb Intake
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Paying attention to carbohydrates is important for people with type 2 diabetes. Carbs are what cause your blood sugars to potentially fluctuate, Crandall Snyder says.
How many carbs per meal is ideal? Its tailored to each individual, says Weisenberger. How much you exercise, your weight, and your age can all affect how long sugars stay in your system, according to the CDC. A typical starting point for people with diabetes is to limit carb intake to 200 to 245 grams per day, which amounts to about one-half of your daily calories coming from carbs, according to the CDC. From there, make adjustments according to your blood glucose readings or as recommended by a dietitian, Crandall Snyder says.
And keep in mind that carbs arent only found in the usual culprits, like bread, potatoes, and pasta. They are also in fruits, vegetables, sweets, and dairy, so you have to take all of those into consideration as well, Crandall Snyder says.
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In Control Of Blood Sugar
There you have it, you cool cats and kittens, thats how to reduce blood sugar level immediately. Insulin is specifically designed to lower blood sugar that is what will do the trick.
If youre insulin-dependent, then insulin is the best medicine. Dont fret, take insulin, be prepared to check ketones and then crack on with the day.
And in other cases, the four alternative methods to lower blood sugar will also help. Otherwise, bear them in mind, because they are still good tips for avoiding high blood sugar in the first place!
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How To Lower Morning Blood Sugar Without Medication
Dr. Danielle Weiss is the founder of Center for Hormonal Health and Well-Being, a personalized, proactive, patient-centered medical practice with a unique focus on integrative endocrinology. She enjoys giving lectures and writing articles for both the lay public and medical audiences. Dr. Weiss is Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego.
Diabetes is a chronic disease where the level of glucose in the blood is too high . People with this condition often worry about high blood sugar levels in the morning. This is so common that it has a name: the dawn phenomenon. As our body prepares to wake up in the morning, it releases a surge of hormones, which can work against insulin and cause blood sugar level to rise. Also called the dawn effect, this can affect anyone and isn’t usually a problem because the body naturally produces insulin to correct it, but the bodies of people with diabetes may not be able to respond the same way. This results in consistently high blood sugar levels in the morning.
It is possible to lower your blood sugar level without medications through lifestyle and dietary changes. If simple lifestyle changes don’t work, people with diabetes should consult with their healthcare provider to determine the best approach to lower their blood sugar level in the morning.
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Ways To Lower Your Blood Sugar Naturally
- To lower your blood sugar, it’s important to exercise regularly and lose weight.
- You should make sure to drink lots of water, eat less unhealthy carbohydrates, and increase your fiber intake.
- It’s also important to manage stress if you want to lower blood sugar and keep it under control.
- This article was medically reviewed by Jason R. McKnight, MD, MS, a family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor at Texas A& M College of Medicine.
- This story is part of Insider’s guide to Diabetes.
High blood sugar occurs when your body cannot convert sugar in the blood to energy for cells. This is a common issue for those with diabetes, or those at risk. If you don’t lower your blood sugar, you will be at an increased risk for serious health complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, and vision loss.
That’s why, if you already have diabetes, it’s important to frequently check your blood sugar to make sure your levels stay in a normal, healthy range.
Plus, about one-third of Americans have prediabetes or elevated blood-sugar levels and 84% of them don’t know they have it. If you have prediabetes, it’s also important to lower your blood-sugar levels to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Here are six ways you can lower your blood sugar over time:
How To Lower Blood Sugar Levels Naturally & Quickly
Nowadays many people suffer from high blood sugar levels. This is caused by eating too many grains, junk foods, and processed carbohydrates. Over time this can lead to diabetes, weight gain, obesity, nerve damage, insulin resistance, wrinkles, dry eyes, pimples, kidney disease, and many more illnesses. The good news is that there are many natural ways to lower blood sugar levels fast.
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Meditate And Practice Om Chanting
Meditation, deep breaths and yoga have more profound effects than you can imagine.
Consider it a personal experience, but deep breaths and chanting om is a solution. It is a way to control high BP immediately.
High blood pressure increases heart rate and causes erratic breathing.
At the time of panic, all you need to focus on is your breathing.
Many times, situations go out of hand due to less oxygen supply in the body.
So, focus more on internal strength even at those critical seconds. Try to listen to calm music.
You need to stay calm for those brief moments and not give up on yourself.
When To Avoid Exercise
People with blood sugar levels above 240 mg/dL should check their urine for ketones before engaging in physical activity. If ketones are present, do not exercise. Ketones are the result of stored fat being broken down for energy. Your liver starts breaking down fat when theres not enough insulin in your bloodstream to absorb blood sugar into cells. When too many ketones are quickly produced, they can cause DKA. In this state, ketones may actually make your blood sugar level go even higher and you may need intravenous fluids to rebalance.
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Lower Blood Sugar Naturally
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Aim To Get 7 9 Hours Of Sleep Each Night
Insufficient sleep is related to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. The CDC reports that even one night of poor sleep can negatively affect your body’s insulin efficiency. Sleep loss is also related to impaired glucose tolerance, so optimizing sleep duration and quality may help regulate your blood sugar.
How much sleep should you get? Studies have shown that both people who sleep less than six hours and those who sleep more than nine hours a night have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Aim for between seven and nine hours of sleep a night, and try to be consistent. Some great tips to improve sleep are:
- Dim lights 30 minutes before bed, and make sure the room is dark when you go to sleep.
- Turn off or mute your phone at night to prevent disruptive noise, light, or vibrations
- Try to have a consistent sleep schedule
- Include some exercise during the day, at least one hour before bed. Exercising too close to bedtime can make it hard for some people to fall asleep.
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Check Your Blood Sugar
If you take medication that may cause low blood sugar , its highly advisable to check your blood sugar levels before you try to bring your sugar levels down.
This is just in case your blood sugar is normal or low, which can be the case in some situations.
Testing of blood sugar before bringing your levels down is particularly important if you take insulin.
Increase Your Fiber Intake
Fibers are a carbohydrate that the body absorbs poorly, fiber rarely leads to rising blood sugar levels, but positively affects digestion. Fibers consist of sugars that are very little absorbed by the body. A rich fiber diet is also good for people with type 1 diabetes.
Foods that contain a lot of fiber include vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains. The recommended daily intake of fiber is about 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men. Its about 14 grams for every 1,000 calories.
Eating a lot of fiber can help you control your blood sugar
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