Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to keep your blood sugar in the range your doctor has advised, it can be too high or too low. Blood sugar that is too high or too low can make you very sick.
High blood sugar (over 240) usually comes on slowly. It happens when you don’t have enough insulin in your body. High blood sugar can happen if you miss taking your diabetes medicine, eat too much, or don’t get enough exercise. Sometimes, medicines you take for other problems may cause high blood sugar.
If your blood sugar drops too low, you can have a low blood sugar reaction, called hypoglycemia. A low blood sugar reaction can come on fast. It is caused by taking too much insulin, missing a meal, delaying a meal, exercising too much, or drinking too much alcohol. Sometimes, medicines you take for other health problems can cause blood sugar to drop.
Follow these specific strategies to help control blood sugar:
Exercise
A regular exercise program has been shown to help manage blood sugar levels over time, and taking a varied approach to fitness is good for diabetes and health in general.
Weight Loss
If you’re overweight, it will be easier to stabilize blood sugar more effectively if you lose even a few pounds.
Diet
Many people with diabetes achieve better control over their blood sugar by limiting the kinds of foods that can cause blood sugar to spike. For example, your doctor might recommend cutting back on carbohydrates and eating more lean protein, fruits, and vegetables. Fiber can be so helpful that sprinkling even a small amount of a fiber supplement onto a meal that otherwise might spike blood sugar can help stabilize it.
Drinking Wisely
Alcohol can cause an immediate rise in blood sugar and then a drop a few hours later. It’s best to stick to moderate amounts and have some solid food with your beverage.
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