If you have type 1 diabetes, your blood glucose level can go too high for a number of reasons, such as if you don't take enough insulin, if you are sick, or if you eat lots of food. When you eat, your blood glucose level goes up. But not all foods have the same effect. Carbohydrates have the greatest impact on blood glucose levels, so when eating them, it is important to choose healthy sources such as whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products.
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is a condition where blood sugar levels are increased. Hyperglycemia is usually the first sign of diabetes mellitus.
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HealthyWomen answeredHigh blood sugar can be dangerous. When blood sugar levels start to creep up, risk increases for everything from heart and kidney disease to dementia, nerve damage and early death. A person doesn't even have to be officially diagnosed with diabetes to be in trouble. A condition called "insulin resistance," in which your cells prevent insulin from "unlocking" the door so energy in the form of glucose can enter, also increases the risk of heart disease, as does full-blown diabetes.
This content originally appeared on HealthyWomen.org. -
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Intermountain Registered Dietitians , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Intermountain HealthcareIf you think your blood glucose is high (hyperglycemia), do this right away:
1. Check blood glucose. This helps make sure that the symptoms are coming from high blood glucose, not something else.
If your blood glucose is high, take your correction dose of insulin. Follow your doctor's instructions for taking this dose. Correction doses are usually given as needed at mealtimes and bedtime, and not more frequently than every three to four hours.
2. If your blood glucose is over 300 mg/dL at least twice in a row (checking at your regular times), also check for ketones in your urine. Use the ketone test strips (such as Keto-Diastix and Chemstrip uGK) from the pharmacy. Follow the instructions exactly -- collect urine in the sample cup, dip the strip in the urine, and wait 60 seconds before matching the strip to the color chart to see if you have ketones.
3a. If ketones are present and you are not vomiting (throwing up):- Take your correction dose if you haven't already done so.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Recheck your urine for ketones every two to four hours until they are negative.
- Call your doctor or diabetes educator for advice.
- Take your correction dose if you haven't already done so.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Recheck your urine for ketones every two to four hours until they are negative.
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Tim Ferriss , Fitness, answeredMore than quality, it's the size and speed of meals that determine glycemic response.
Even on protein and vegetables alone, I could bump glucose as high as 150 mg/dL without much effort.
The easiest thing you can do to decrease glucose spikes is slow down. I had to methodically finish my plate in thirds and train myself to wait five minutes between thirds, usually with the help of iced tea and slices of lemon. It also helps to drink more water to dilute digestion (I'm fantastic at this), eat smaller portions (not so good at this), and chew more.
All four strategies serve to decrease the amount of food that gets digested per minute, which will determine the size of your glucose arc. -
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American Red Cross answeredPeople who take insulin to control diabetes may have injectable medication with them to care for hyperglycemia. Ask them if they need assistance with administering their insulin. -
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American Diabetes Association answeredIn contrast to hypoglycemia, high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) can cause long-term complications over years or decades but do not normally lead to any adverse effect on job performance. The symptoms of hyperglycemia generally develop over hours or days and do not occur suddenly. Therefore, hyperglycemia does not pose an immediate risk of sudden incapacitation.
While over years or decades, high blood glucose may cause long-term complications to the nerves (neuropathy), eyes (retinopathy), kidneys (nephropathy), or heart, not all individuals with diabetes develop these long-term complications. Such complications become relevant in employment decisions only when they are established and interfere with the performance of the actual job being considered. Evaluations should not be based on speculation as to what might occur in the future. Job evaluations should take high blood glucose levels into account only if they have already caused long-term complications, such as visual impairment, that interfere with performance of the specific job. -
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American Diabetes Association answeredThe Somogyi effect, also called rebound hypoglycemia, happens when the blood glucose level swings high following hypoglycemia. The Somogyi effect may follow an untreated hypoglycemic episode during the night and is caused by the release of stress hormones.
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American Diabetes Association answeredAfter a meal, food is broken down into glucose (sugar) and carried by the blood to cells throughout the body. Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas. It moves glucose from the blood into the body cells where it is used for energy. When there is not enough insulin, glucose stays in the blood. This makes blood glucose levels high.
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American Diabetes Association answeredSee All 4 Answers
Hyperglycemia is the technical term for high blood glucose (sugar), which happens from time to time to all people who have diabetes. High blood glucose happens when the body has too little insulin or when the body can’t use insulin properly. It is a major cause of complications with diabetes. Generally, fasting levels are above 130 mg/dl and above 180 mg/dl 2 hours after a meal. Symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst, and weight loss.
You can cope with hyperglycemia by understanding the following concepts:
- Check blood glucose levels to determine when your level is high.
- Learn to identify the symptoms of hyperglycemia so you can treat it quickly.
- When high, lower your blood glucose level by exercising, unless ketones are present in your urine.
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American Diabetes Association answeredIf you have hyperglycemia, you can often lower your blood glucose level by exercising. However, if your blood glucose is above 240 mg/dl, check your urine for ketones. If you have ketones, do not exercise.
Exercising when ketones are present may make your blood glucose level go even higher. You'll need to work with your doctor to find the safest way for you to lower your blood glucose level.
Cutting down on the amount of food you eat might also help. Work with your dietitian to make changes in your meal plan. If exercise and changes in your diet don't work, your doctor may change the amount of your medication or insulin or possibly the timing of when you take it.