1. Adjust Insulin or Other Diabetes Medications
If you have diabetes and seem to have high blood sugar levels frequently, it may be time to make some adjustments in your medications if you take them to manage your blood sugar. This is not something you should do on your own--make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the amount of insulin or other medicines you take. Record the amount of medication you take, when you take it and what you have eaten each day. Be sure to include your glucose readings and the time you checked them to give your doctor a complete picture of your health. With this information, your doctor will be able to tell if you need more insulin to reduce your blood sugar or if lifestyle changes alone can be effective.
2. Reduce Your Intake of Carbohydrates
People without diabetes as well as those who have the condition can experience high blood sugar and its accompanying symptoms such as fatigue, excessive urination and extreme thirst. One way to reduce high blood sugar without using medication is to reduce the amount of carbohydrates you eat. Sweets, bread products and starches are all examples of carbs. Carbs break down into glucose, which is used for energy. When there is too much glucose for your body to handle effectively, the kidneys will flush it out of your system before it can be used as energy, leaving you tired. This does not mean you have to eliminate all carbs, it just means making careful choices. Instead of eating a day's worth of carbs at one meal, space them out so your body is receiving a continuous supply rather than an overload. Eat a fiber-rich diet with your carbs coming from whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables and low-fat dairy products. Be sure to ask your doctor before trying a low-carb approach.
3. Get Moving With an Exercise Plan
Exercise, or the lack of it, can affect your blood sugar levels. If you consistently get high readings, a daily workout routine may be able to help lower your blood glucose to a safer range. Be sure to check your blood sugar levels before starting your exercise routine to make sure it is safe for you to proceed. Unless there is another underlying condition that prohibits physical activity, most people can safely walk, jog, swim or participate in other sports if their pre-exercise levels are between 100 and 250 mg/dL. If your levels are higher than 250 mg/dL, check with your doctor before starting a regular exercise regimen.
4. Ease the Stress in Your Life
Stress, both physical and emotional, can raise blood sugar. There may not be much you can do about a physical illness besides letting it run its course. Managing emotional stress can be difficult but is so important to our physical health as a whole. Avoid situations that you know to be stressful if at all possible. If you know that watching your child ride his bike on a busy street makes you nervous, let your spouse handle that job. If your coworkers' constant disagreements are impacting your mental health, perhaps there is a way to move your workspace to a different location. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing. Take time out of your busy day to read a book or participate in a hobby that relaxes you. When you feel the tension easing, you may find your blood glucose levels have dropped as well.
