Uncontrollable high blood sugar can have serious health consequences. If there is too much glucose in your blood, there is not enough glucose reaching your cells. If your cells don't have glucose to use for energy, they start to break-down fat for fuel. A byproduct of this fat break-down are ketones; if your kidneys can't process and eliminate ketones fast enough, they accumulate in your blood, leading to ketoacidosis, a diabetic coma that can be fatal. It's important to safely lower your blood sugar as soon as possible and consult your doctor if you have chronic high glucose levels.
Step 1
Take an extra dose of insulin of other diabetes medication. According to Diabetes Health, one unit of regular insulin -- not fast-acting insulin -- will lower your blood glucose level 40 mg/dL. If you need to lower your blood sugar level by 200 mg/dL, you will need to inject 5 units of regular acting insulin. (reference 2)
Step 2
Test your urine for ketones. Exercise will lower your blood sugar level, but it isn't safe to exercise if your blood sugar levels are above 240 mg/dL and there are ketones present -- in this case, exercise might actually raise your glucose level even higher.
Step 3
Treat the underlying cause of your hyperglycemia. Stress and illness can cause your glucose levels to soar. If you are under emotional or mental duress, try to relax. Practice deep breathing exercises, meditate or find a coping mechanism that works for you. If you have a virus or infection, you may need to seek medical attention.
Step 4
Prevent high blood sugars by paying close attention to your diet, exercising regularly and not missing any doses of your diabetes medication. Sticking to a schedule will help stabilize your blood sugar levels.
Tips and Warnings
- Keep a record of your glucose readings. Look for patterns of hyper- and hypoglycemia and what may trigger those episodes.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you have any symptoms of ketoacidosis, such as shortness of breath, dry mouth and nausea or vomiting.
References
- MvKinley Health Center, University of Illinois, Chanpaign-Urbana: Hyperglycemia
- Diabetes Health: What Every Insulin User Should Know --- Using Math To Calculate Your Insulin Needs
- Puristat Digestive Wellness Center: Blood Glucose Management: Hyperglycemia
- Mayo Clinic: Stress, Illness and High Blood Sugar
