Blood sugar control is at the center of any diabetes treatment plan. High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, is a major concern, and can affect people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes . There
are two main kinds: Frequent or ongoing high blood sugar can cause damage to your nerves,
blood vessels, and organs. It can also lead to other serious conditions. People with type 1 diabetes are prone to a build-up of acids in the blood called ketoacidosis. If you have
type 2 diabetes or if you’re at risk for it, extremely high blood sugar can lead to a potentially deadly condition in which your body can’t process sugar. It's called hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS). You’ll pee more often at first, and then less often later on, but your urine may become dark and you could get severely dehydrated. It's
important to treat symptoms of high blood sugar right away to help prevent complications. Your blood sugar may rise if you: Early signs include: Ongoing high blood sugar may cause: If you have diabetes and notice any of the early signs of high blood sugar, test your blood sugar and call the doctor. They may ask you for the results of several readings. They could recommend the following changes: Drink more water. Water helps remove excess sugar from
your blood through urine, and it helps you avoid dehydration. Exercise more. Working out can help lower your blood sugar. But under certain conditions, it can make blood sugar go even higher. Ask your doctor what kind of exercise is right for you. Caution: If you have
type 1 diabetes and your blood sugar is high, you need to check your urine for ketones. When you have ketones, do NOT exercise. If you have type 2 diabetes and your blood sugar is high, you must also be sure that you have no ketones in your urine and that you are
well-hydrated. Then your doctor might give you the OK to exercise with caution as long as you feel up to it. Change your eating habits. You may need to meet with a dietitian to change the amount and types of foods you eat. Switch medications. Your doctor may change the amount, timing, or type of diabetes medications you take. Don’t make changes without talking to
them first. If you have type 1 diabetes and your blood sugar is more than 250 mg/dL, your doctor may want you to test your urine or blood for ketones. Call your doctor if your blood sugar is running higher than your treatment goals. If you work to keep your blood sugar under control -- follow your meal plan, exercise program, and medicine schedule -- you shouldn’t have to worry about hyperglycemia. You can also: High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in people with diabetes can be reduced immediately by taking rapid-acting insulin. For people who are not prescribed insulin, exercise is your best option for bringing down high blood sugar levels. Other ways to lower blood sugar levels quickly include taking missed medication, drinking lots of water, and using stress-management tools. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, keeping blood sugar in a normal range is always important. At a certain point, however, lowering blood sugar becomes immediately necessary to avoid potentially life-threatening complications. This article discusses the four best ways to lower your blood sugar quickly. It also explains the warning signs of dangerously high blood sugar and when you should contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room. Verywell / Theresa Chiechi Take InsulinTaking rapid-acting insulin is the quickest way to lower your blood sugar and is the preferred method for treating hyperglycemia. In people with type 1 diabetes, taking rapid-acting insulin or receiving a correction dose through your insulin pump is necessary. Some people with type 2 diabetes may also require intermittent or continuous insulin therapy. Subcutaneous (under the skin) insulin injection provides the quickest response because blood flow at the injection site accelerates insulin absorption. Injecting it into the abdomen, arm, or deltoid is the most effective due to increased blood flow in these locations compared to other body areas like the buttocks and thigh. However, be aware that factors like smoking, obesity, and low physical activity can decrease a person’s subcutaneous blood flow and slow down the absorption rate. Intramuscular injection may be more effective in rare cases of DKA or dehydration, since the absorption rate is even higher. The effectiveness, though, can be a drawback in cases of hyperglycemia because the insulin may be absorbed too readily and result in a drastic drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Inhaled InsulinInhalable insulin is a powdered form of rapid-acting insulin that can be delivered to the lungs with an inhaler. Clinical trials have shown that although it is not superior to injectable insulin, it does offer similar benefits in reducing blood sugar. It is, however, costlier than injectable insulin. It is also unsuitable for patients with asthma, active lung cancer, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Take Missed MedicationIf you use long-acting insulin or other diabetes medication and your blood sugar is high, check to make sure you took your medication. If you have type 2 diabetes, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to help keep your blood sugar within the normal range. Missing these medications can result in hyperglycemia. Medications used to help with diabetes include:
If you miss a dose of your diabetes medication, take it as soon as you remember, but don't double-up by taking your missed medication too closely to your next scheduled dose. This can cause adverse reactions. When in doubt, consult the guide on the packaging of the medication or look for its Food and Drug Administration medication guide. If you miss several doses, contact your practitioner to discuss the best course of action. ExercisePhysical activity is the fastest way to lower your blood sugar naturally. Exercise lowers insulin resistance and improves the body's ability to convert glucose into energy. During muscle contractions, your cells take up glucose for energy and use it whether insulin is available or not, resulting in lower blood sugar. This effect lasts for 24 hours or more after you’ve exercised. There is no perfect formula for exercising to reduce your blood sugar. Everyone responds differently to exercise. However, it’s generally understood that you’ll need to get your heart rate up and that longer durations of physical activity require more glucose for energy, which lowers your blood sugar. To better understand how your body responds to exercise, do regular blood sugar checks before and after working out. Record any differences in your blood glucose in between activities to see which ones are the most effective for lowering your blood sugar (such as fast-paced walking, water exercising, bicycling, etc.). When to Avoid ExercisePeople 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 there’s 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. Drink WaterWater is a critical component of diabetes management because it helps your body excrete glucose. Therefore, staying sufficiently hydrated is key to maintaining normal blood sugar levels. In hyperglycemia, you need more water (or unsweetened fluids) than usual to help your kidneys flush the excess sugar from your body through urination. Not drinking enough water leads to dehydration and can force your body to draw water from other sources like saliva and tears. Your body will also excrete sugar in the urine, leading to further dehydration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the daily fluid intake recommendation varies by factors such as age, sex, pregnancy, and breastfeeding status. So how much water should you drink? It is generally accepted that most people need about four to six cups of water each day. If you sweat during work or exercise, that fluid needs to be replaced so you should drink more. However, if you take medications that cause fluid retention, you may need less. Ask your healthcare provider about the right amount of water needed to keep your blood sugar levels in the normal range. Risks of Very High Blood SugarHyperglycemia can be dangerous, especially for people with type 1 diabetes. It can lead to a deadly condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The risk for DKA starts at 240 mg/dL, but is more likely in much higher blood sugar levels. Signs of DKA include nausea or vomiting, fruity-smelling breath, extreme thirst, and frequent urination. You can test for ketones at home using a urine test. If you have high ketones, call your doctor or go to the emergency room. In people with type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar (over 600 mg/dL) can cause hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS). HHS is potentially fatal and can occur after several days or weeks of sustained high blood sugar. In people with diabetes, high blood sugar is caused by things like:
When to Contact Your Healthcare ProviderIf you have two blood sugar readings of 300 mg/dL or more or have blood sugar above your target range (anything above 180 mg/dL) for more than a week, seek immediate medical help. Hyperglycemia can turn into a medical emergency like DKA and HHS that requires immediate intervention by your practitioner or a local emergency department. Signs of hyperglycemia include:
Signs that it’s time to call your healthcare provider include:
A Word From VerywellWhile it’s important to know the signs and what to do if your blood sugar is too high, it is even more crucial to develop a daily diabetes management plan that keeps glucose in a normal range in the first place. Mild hyperglycemia does not pose an immediate threat, but chronic high blood sugar can lead to long-term
diabetic complications such as vision problems, heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage. Frequently Asked Questions
Is blood sugar of 300 an emergency?A reading above 300 mg/dL can be dangerous, according to the University of Michigan, which recommends immediately informing your doctor if you have two or more readings of 300 mg/dL in a row. In severe cases, very high blood sugar levels (well above 300 mg/dL) can result in coma.
How can I flush sugar out of my system fast?Studies show that drinking plenty of water helps glucose flush out of the blood. The average person should aim for eight glasses per day. Drinking plenty of water while you are indulging your sweet tooth — and throughout the day after — will help your body get back to normal.
At what sugar level should I go to the hospital?For adults, if you start to feel drowsy or disoriented or if your blood sugar continues to rise, for example, above 20.0 mmol/L, call 911 or other emergency services immediately. It's best to have someone with you if your blood sugar is this elevated so that the person can call for you.
At what sugar level is diabetic coma?A diabetic coma could happen when your blood sugar gets too high -- 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or more -- causing you to become very dehydrated. It usually affects people with type 2 diabetes that isn't well-controlled. It's common among those who are elderly, chronically ill, and disabled.
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