People with diabetes must monitor their blood sugar closely throughout every day to make sure that it remains within a normal range. EndocrineWeb explains that a fasting blood sugar--that is, a blood sugar measurement taken when the individual hasn't eaten in eight hours--should fall below 140 mg/dL for a person with diabetes. Ideally, fasting blood sugar levels should fall between 70 and 120 mg/dL. Intervention is required when high blood sugar levels are detected to allow sugar to enter the cells to be used for energy instead of accumulating in the blood, which can lead to tissue and organ damage over time.
Step 1
Choose your favorite form of activity and exercise for at least 30 minutes if your blood sugar is above 240 mg/dL and you have no ketones in your urine. Check for ketones using urine dipsticks that can be obtained from your doctor's office or local pharmacy. The American Diabetes Association explains that exercise can help lower high blood sugar, but exercise should not be performed when ketones are present in the urine, otherwise blood sugar levels could rise even higher.
Step 2
Contact your doctor if your blood sugar is above 240 mg/dL and ketones are present in your urine. Your doctor will be able to give you specific directions related to your personal situation.
Step 3
Administer insulin if your doctor has prescribed it. Insulin is often prescribed on a sliding scale, meaning that depending on the blood sugar level you detect upon measurement, you are required to inject a specific number of units of insulin.
Step 4
Adjust your oral diabetes medications as your doctor prescribes. Patients taking oral medications may be required to take an additional dose when blood sugar levels are high, explains Kids Health. Always follow your doctor's directions exactly to avoid maintaining blood sugar levels that are too high or overdosing, which could cause too-low sugar levels.
Step 5
Adjust your diet, incorporating more proteins and less sugars or carbohydrates. Make an appointment with a dietitian if needed to learn how to use dietary strategies to maintain proper blood sugar levels. Health insurance may cover appointments with a dietitians for people diagnosed with diabetes, but always check with your provider to find out.
Things You'll Need
- Ketone test strips
- Insulin or oral diabetes medications if prescribed
