Living with type 2 diabetes can be challenging, especially when it comes to managing your blood sugar levels. While medication is often necessary for many individuals, there are ways to lower your blood sugar quickly without relying solely on meds.
High fasting blood sugar in the morning is not uncommon, even among people with well-controlled diabetes. Your health care provider can explain how one medication or multiple medications may fit into your diabetes treatment plan. Sometimes combining medicines may increase the effectiveness of each individual medicine to lower blood sugar.
1. Stay Active
One of the most effective ways to lower your blood sugar levels quickly is through physical activity. Exercise helps your muscles use glucose for energy, which can lower blood sugar levels. Even a short walk or some light stretching can make a difference in your blood sugar readings.
2. Watch Your Carb Intake
However, the more weight you lose, the greater the benefit to your health. In some cases, losing up to 15% of body weight may be recommended. Smoking also raises blood sugar temporarily, which poses an additional challenge in maintaining nondiabetic blood sugar levels. This increases the likelihood of a person developing complications of diabetes, such as kidney disease and nerve damage. If making dietary and lifestyle changes do not help maintain a healthy blood sugar level, doctors may advise a person to take medications. However, if someone receives a diabetes diagnosis as an older adult and their blood sugar is only mildly elevated, medications may not be necessary.
Internal causes for high blood sugar include when your liver produces too much glucose, your body makes too little insulin, or your body can’t effectively use insulin. However, multiple factors can impair blood sugar management and lead to hyperglycemia. A blood sugar level of 140 mg/dL could also mean hyperglycemia if your blood sugar is at this level while you fast. For a diagnosis of hyperglycemia, your blood sugar needs to be higher than 125 mg/dL while fasting and higher than 180 mg/dL 2 hours after a meal. This means that 170 mg/dL could be considered hyperglycemia if it occurs while you fast. High blood sugar can be very concerning because your body can start burning fat for energy instead of blood glucose.
Monitoring your carbohydrate intake is crucial for managing blood sugar levels. Eating foods high in carbohydrates can cause spikes in blood sugar, so it’s important to be mindful of what you’re eating. Opt for whole grains, fruits, and vegetables instead of sugary snacks and processed foods.
All of them help people lose weight by limiting how much food they can eat. Some procedures also limit the amount of nutrients the body can absorb. Blood sugar values are expressed in milligrams of sugar per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles of sugar per liter (mmol/L) of blood.
3. Stay Hydrated
Processed fruits include dried fruit (dried raisins, cherries, cranberries, and apricots), jams, and canned fruit with syrup. While dried and canned fruit can be a nutritious addition to your diet, read labels carefully and watch portion sizes. People tend to eat more dried fruit in one siting than they do a whole fruit. Having diabetes puts you at risk of dehydration, which can make your blood sugar harder to manage. Drink lots of water and calorie-free beverages when you fast.
Drinking plenty of water is essential for overall health, but it can also help lower blood sugar levels. Dehydration can lead to higher blood sugar readings, so be sure to stay hydrated throughout the day. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water daily.
If you work out frequently or tend to sweat a lot, you may need more. If you take medications that cause fluid retention, you may need less. If your BGL doesn’t drop right away, or doesn’t come down as fast as you’d like, resist the urge to take more insulin too soon, as it could lead to hypoglycemia. Rapid-acting insulin may start working in 15 minutes, or it may take up to an hour. Be sure you talk to your healthcare provider about how much rapid-acting insulin you should take to bring down dangerously high BGL. My bloods are perfect other than the glucose and the other diabetes level so I know what I have been eating is great.
4. Get Plenty of Sleep
Lack of sleep can have a negative impact on blood sugar levels. Aim to get at least seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night to help regulate your blood sugar. Establishing a bedtime routine and creating a relaxing sleep environment can help improve your sleep patterns.
5. Manage Stress
Stress can cause blood sugar levels to spike, so finding ways to manage stress is important for overall health. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help reduce stress levels. Engaging in hobbies or activities you enjoy can also help alleviate stress.
While medication may be necessary for some individuals with type 2 diabetes, these lifestyle changes can help lower blood sugar levels quickly without relying solely on meds. By staying active, watching your carb intake, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and managing stress, you can take control of your blood sugar levels and improve your overall health.
