If you are new to diabetes, or maybe have had it for years, you’ve probably encountered a high blood sugar at some point. You may even wake up and your blood sugar is high but you haven’t eaten anything since the night before. This is all very common and we have a 3 simple tricks to help lower your blood sugar but first we need to figure out what is considered “high.”
A high blood sugar may look different for everyone, however, the American Diabetes Association has some general guidelines on what is considered “high.”
It should be noted that if your blood sugar is ever over 300 mg/dl and you cannot get it lowered by taking your medication, please call you healthcare provider right away.
Some things to consider if you blood sugar is high, but you think that number is inaccurate:
- Are your hands clean? It is crucial to wash your hands prior to checking your blood sugar or the reading can be incorrect.
- Are your strips expired? Expired strips may still work in your meter, however, the manufacture cannot guarantee the accuracy past the expiration date.
If you get an odd reading, it is best to wash your hands again and recheck on a different location.
So, what do you do if your blood sugar is truly high? Don’t panic! We have 3 simple tips to help lower your blood sugar from home.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – It’s so important to be sure you’re drinking plenty of water. If you are dehydrated, your blood will be concentrated with sugar (glucose) and your blood sugars will be up.
- Move – Your muscles do not work for free. Do any sort of activity to help your muscles use that sugar as energy. Some examples are going for a walk, doing housework, gardening, or biking.
- Make sure you remember to take your medication as it’s prescribed. We are all human and sometimes we forget things but it’s important to make this a habit. If you forgot to take your medication, contact your pharmacist or provider to see if you can take the dose you missed or an adjusted dose.
It’s inevitable that people with diabetes will have a high blood sugar but rest assured you can get it back down. If the tips above do not work or if your blood sugar is dangerously high (over 300 mg/dl), contact your healthcare provider right away.
Now, next time your blood sugar is high, try these simple tips and watch the magic work!
Resources:
1. American Diabetes Association: Understanding A1C Diagnosis https://diabetes.org/diabetes/a1c/diagnosis
Disclaimer: This information is for education purposes only and is not intended to replace or act as individual medical or nutrition advice. For individualized support or guidance, one of our Dietitians can help! Contact us to get started!
