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What are the Best Tips for Lowering Blood Sugar?

M.C. Huguelet
M.C. Huguelet

High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, occurs when the processes which normally regulate the transfer of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells do not work properly. Often a symptom of diabetes, high blood sugar can lead to headache, fatigue, nausea, confusion, or even coma if left untreated. Luckily, there are several methods for lowering blood sugar. These include medication, exercise, diet alteration, and preventive testing.

Taking all prescribed hyperglycemia medications exactly as directed is one of the most reliable methods for lowering blood sugar. One of the most frequently used hyperglycemia medications is insulin, which is usually taken via an injection. Insulin injections can be vital to lowering the blood sugar because they can temporarily correct or improve the body’s ability to transfer glucose from the blood to the cells. An individual who continues to become hyperglycemic while taking his medications according his doctor’s instructions should visit that doctor to have his dosage re-evaluated.

Diabetics monitor blood sugar levels to help prevent hyperglycemia.
Diabetics monitor blood sugar levels to help prevent hyperglycemia.

Exercising regularly is another usually dependable method for lowering blood sugar. An individual with a tendency for hyperglycemia should attempt to exercise at a level that raises his heart rate for approximately 30 minutes each day. Doing so not only usually improves the body’s ability to manage insulin, but also has the added benefits of strengthening the heart and burning calories.

By catching and treating high blood sugar early on, the individual can often avoid serious side effects of advanced-stage hyperglycemia, such as falling into a coma.
By catching and treating high blood sugar early on, the individual can often avoid serious side effects of advanced-stage hyperglycemia, such as falling into a coma.

Altering the diet can also be a useful tool in lowering blood sugar. Overeaters and those who consume large amounts of sugar may find that they frequently become hyperglycemic. For many of these individuals, making a few simple changes to the diet, such as substituting fruit for candy or controlling portion sizes, can help reduce incidences of hyperglycemia. A physician can recommend a healthy eating plan for individuals with hyperglycemic tendencies or can offer suggestions to those having difficulty sticking to a diet plan.

Perhaps the most efficient tool for lowering blood sugar is preventive testing. Diabetics and others with hyperglycemic tendencies should test their blood sugar as frequently as their doctor has instructed. By constantly monitoring the blood sugar levels, it is possible to “catch” an incidence of hyperglycemia while it is still at an early stage of development. The hyperglycemic individual can then treat the incidence immediately, using the methods recommended by his doctor. By catching and treating high blood sugar early on, the individual can often avoid the serious side effects of advanced-stage hyperglycemia, which can include nerve or vision damage, or even coma.

Discussion Comments

amypollick

@anon282409: Try eating something protein-heavy, like some cheese, lean turkey or something like that. Or, if you have all-natural peanut butter, with no sugar added, eat a couple of spoons full of that. A handful of nuts and some cheese is also a good option for getting your sugar down fairly quickly.

A brisk walk can also do it. Not lecturing here, but 20 minutes or so of brisk exercise will help use up a lot of the available glucose in your body, and will help lower your sugar.

anon282409

I know all about exercise diet and such. I just want to know how a non insulin user can lower blood sugar fast when I have a spike. I don't need a lecture.

pastanaga

One thing I found helped me to control my high blood sugar was to completely outlaw anything processed. Things with sugar and flour particularly.

Because no matter how well you learn to read labels, it's so difficult to know whether something is going to set off your blood sugar levels. Fresh vegetables, meats, legumes and so forth are a much better option.

The problem is that there are, of course, processed foods that wouldn't do any harm, but I still find a blanket rule is easier to follow.

browncoat

I don't think the point about exercise can be emphasized enough. I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and I suffer from insulin resistance as a result of that. Which means I feel much happier and healthier when I can manage to keep my blood sugar under control, and it also helps to prevent me from developing diabetes later in life.

The hard thing about it is that if I do slip up and let my blood sugar out of control, it makes me feel hungry, so it's like a spiral.

If I exercise every day though, I just don't get the same cravings and I'm sure its because it burns off all the excess sugar in my blood. It's strange, but exercising makes me eat less!

So, if you are having the same problems I am, I'd recommend trying a brisk walk, or jogging for a while each day. It could change your life.

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    • Diabetics monitor blood sugar levels to help prevent hyperglycemia.
      By: Dmitry Lobanov
      Diabetics monitor blood sugar levels to help prevent hyperglycemia.
    • By catching and treating high blood sugar early on, the individual can often avoid serious side effects of advanced-stage hyperglycemia, such as falling into a coma.
      By: gwimages
      By catching and treating high blood sugar early on, the individual can often avoid serious side effects of advanced-stage hyperglycemia, such as falling into a coma.