BY AMY CAMPBELL, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES | JUNE 1, 2022
High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, means that there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood, often due to a lack of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin properly. For people who have diabetes, other factors can contribute to high blood sugars, as well, such as eating too much carbohydrate, not getting enough physical activity, being sick or stressed, forgetting to take or not taking enough diabetes medication, or taking other medications that can raise bloods sugars.
The downsides of high blood sugars
Hyperglycemia can cause immediate (acute) side effects, including thirst, frequent urination, headaches, hunger, and blurry vision. It can also make you feel tired.
Very high blood sugars can cause serious and potentially life-threatening conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS). These conditions require emergency medical treatment.
Long-term, or chronic hyperglycemia can lead to complications, including heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, eye problems, feet problems, skin conditions, hearing impairment, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
What’s considered to be a high blood sugar level?
A fasting blood sugar is considered to be high if it’s above 130 mg/dl. Fasting hyperglycemia (meaning, a blood sugar checked after not eating for at least eight hours) is common. A high postprandial, or post-meal, blood sugar is one that is above 180 mg/dl two hours after eating. Keep in mind, too, that your blood sugar goals may be different, so talk with your provider about your own goals.
Of course, blood sugar levels can go much higher — for example, diabetic ketoacidosis may occur when blood sugars are above 250 mg/dl. Some people even have blood sugar levels in the 400s or 500s or higher.
How to lower blood sugars
Because hyperglycemia is potentially dangerous and can make you feel unwell, it’s important to take steps to lower your blood sugar. Here’s how:
Take insulin
Taking insulin is the fastest way to lower blood sugar (of course, only do this if you’ve been prescribed insulin and with guidance from your health care provider or diabetes educator). Generally, a fast-acting type of insulin, such as insulin lispro (brand name Humalog) or insulin aspart (Novolog) is recommended to lower blood sugars fast. Some people are given guidance on using “correction” doses of insulin if blood sugars go too high.
Do some physical activity
Physical activity, whether it’s walking, jogging, bicycling, or dancing helps lower blood sugars both in the short-term and long-term. When you move, your cells take up glucose from the blood to be used as energy, thereby lowering blood sugars. You don’t have to rush to the gym, either — going for a walk, marching in place, or turning on the tunes and dancing at home can do wonders for your blood sugars. However, if you take insulin and your blood sugars are above 250 mg/dl, you should first check your urine for ketones using ketone strips. If you have ketones, don’t exercise (your blood sugars could rise even higher), and contact your provider.
Cut back on the carbs
High blood sugars happen when you have diabetes, and another way to help counteract this is to eat less carb, temporarily. This doesn’t mean you can’t eat any carb foods, but curtailing those carbs, short term, can help. Go easy with bread, pasta, rice, fruit, milk, and yogurt — and anything sweet, for that matter. Stick with low-carb veggies, lean protein foods, and healthy fat foods (vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, avocado).
Check your medications
First, did you forget to take your insulin or other type diabetes medicine? If so, contact your provider or diabetes educator to find out if you should take a dose now or wait until your next scheduled dose. Second, take stock of other medicines you might be taking that could be affecting your blood sugars. Examples include corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), some antidepressants, statins, and birth control pills. Don’t stop taking these medicines, but let your provider know that your blood sugars are running high. They may suggest increasing your diabetes medication dose(s) or changing the other medicines that you’re taking.
Drink more water
Chances are, if your blood sugars are high, you’re probably thirsty and drinking more fluids (make sure you stick with water or other sugar-free beverages!). Hyperglycemia can cause dehydration, so drinking water can counteract that, plus, there may be some truth to water helping to lower blood sugar levels. Staying hydrated also helps your kidneys flush out extra glucose. Keep a water bottle or a glass within sight to remind you to drink. Ask your provider about the amount of water (and other fluids) that is right for you, since some people may need more or less than others.
Be sure to keep tabs on your blood sugars when they’re running above target. Ideally, checking hourly, or at least several times a day, is the goal. Whether you do a finger-stick or you check your CGM, knowing what’s going on with your glucose levels gives you valuable information and can help you adjust your foods intake and/or your medications.
When to contact your doctor
Finally, call your provider or even seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Consistently high blood sugar readings
- Confusion
- Excessive thirst and/or urination
- Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Ketones in the urine
- Fruity-smelling breath
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