By Sassy, content writer
 

Blood sugar levels can be tricky to keep in check, especially if you have type 1 diabetes. The constant ups and downs can be significantly distressing during the initial stages of the diagnosis. A lot of time goes into understanding one’s body, what food interacts with the blood sugar, the effect of stress, sleep, exercise, etc. Even then, it may not always be possible to master this trait to perfection. High blood sugar levels can be categorized and understood as levels above 170 mg/dL.
In any food that you eat, the carbohydrates will be converted into glucose after their breakdown. If your body does not produce enough insulin, the glucose molecules will be flowing freely in the body leading to high blood sugar reports. In diabetes, since your body does not produce enough insulin, it requires an external administration for the same. This can be done with the help of medications, injections, insulin pumps, etc. In the beginning, it can take some time to understand the working of the body and to understand what level of blood sugar is dangerous, however, as you become more adept in dealing with this condition, you will get more in-tune with the signals of your body and the treatment will get slightly more manageable.
Causes of hyperglycemia–It would be best if the occurrence of hyperglycemia was prevented. For that to happen, understanding the causes of high blood sugar levels would be beneficial. Knowing what can make your body’s glucose levels rise can help you take appropriate steps to prevent that from happening in many circumstances.
• Incorrect doses of medication – It might take a while to figure out the right number of doses you need to keep the sugar levels at the optimal range. If you are on an incorrect dose of medication or are taking the wrong type of meds, it may lead to more high sugar levels than necessary.
• Poor carb counting – The primary source of carbs in your body is food. During the initial stages after the diagnosis, learning the steps for counting carbs accurately will help you a great deal in deciding the quantity of insulin that needs to be taken for a particular meal. The insulin-to-carb ratio can be highly helpful
• Less physical activity – A sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity will lead to the body not being able to burn the extra glucose molecules in the blood.
• Excessive stress – Physical stress, illnesses, emotional stress, etc can promote the release of cortisol (stress hormone) that can also be accompanied by a higher sugar production leading to hyperglycemia. Stress also affects sleep, poor sleep cycle can also aggravate and lead to high blood sugar levels.
Recognizing symptoms of high blood sugar–To understand high blood sugar symptoms will help you realize that correction is required. People might experience high blood sugar differently. Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with hyperglycemia:
• Increased thirst and appetite
• Frequent urination
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Anxiety
• Weakness and fatigue
• Labored breathing
• Increased heart rate
It is important to recognize and treat high blood sugar levels as early as possible. Frequent and untreated highs can lead to other severe medical conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis
Steps to treat high sugar levels–Dealing with and treating high blood sugar is vital to avoid further diabetes-related complications. It is not tough to manage this condition as most often than not, people require a healthy and disciplined lifestyle to be able to deal with this condition on most days.
1. If your sugar levels are above 170mg/dL, you may not necessarily require a correction dose, some light exercise and water might be able to help you lower the levels
2. In case of a sugar reading of above 200mg/dL, you can take a very small (depending on your dose) unit of insulin or medication to bring the levels down
3. Avoid exercising if your glucometer reading is above 250mg/dL as the body that is already fatigued may feel even more disoriented.
4. Exercise regularly to make sure that the levels are in the stable range on most days. Regular exercise can also ensure that the body’s insulin sensitivity is better.
5. Do not use substances like cigarettes or alcohol. These can harm the body’s production and ability to use insulin leading to more harm.
6. Replenish your body with lots of fluids like warm water, buttermilk, unsweetened lemonade, etc.
In case of frequent high sugar levels, visit your doctor as there might be ketones present in the body. Ketones can further complicate things.
Seek proper care as you figure out how to deal with this condition. Vigilance and discipline are important in the diabetes management plan. Avoid regular episodes of highs and lows for a healthier lifestyle.