The simplest way to reduce the amount of sugar in your blood is to take the dose of insulin your doctor prescribes. However, it can take up to four hours for the body to absorb it, and using too much of it could be fatal. If you are looking for an immediate remedy to combat high blood sugar, drink plenty of water and go for a walk. A diet rich in protein, leafy vegetables, and healthy fats can also bring numerous benefits. If high blood sugar is a common problem, talk to your doctor as soon as possible to get the right treatment.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Coping with a Possible Emergency
Step 1. Look for typical signs of high blood sugar
If your blood sugar is high, you will likely feel tired, lethargic, and irritable. You may also have a dry mouth and feel very thirsty, all of which are commonly caused by high blood sugar.
- You may have other, less specific symptoms as well. Monitor your condition closely to recognize them in a timely manner when they arise.
- If you are also suffering from nausea or vomiting, go to the emergency room right away. Your blood sugar level could be extremely high and put you at risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis, a metabolic complication of diabetes that can be fatal.
Step 2. Record your blood sugar level
If you have symptoms of high blood sugar, measure the amount of sugar in your blood with the meter and make a note of the result, specifying the date and time of the measurement. You can also write down other information to try to determine what causes the problem.
For example, if you have just finished a large meal, it could be responsible for the rise in blood sugar
Step 3. Measure the ketones
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a temporary complication of type 1 diabetes, but in some cases it can also affect patients with type 2 diabetes, although it happens more rarely. It can cause severe physical harm and even death if no action is taken. If you have diabetes (type 1 or 2), keep a box of test strips at home to measure the level of ketones in your urine.
- As a general rule, if you are diabetic and your blood glucose level is 250 mg / dL or higher, you should also keep ketones in check.
- If you find ketones in your urine, contact your doctor right away or go straight to the emergency room.
Step 4. Drink two glasses of water
Water by itself does not reduce the amount of sugar in the blood, but it is helpful in rehydrating the body (dehydration is linked to ketoacidosis) and can presumably make you feel better. Drink two glasses of water one after the other.
- Drink at a steady pace, without rushing. After the first glass, notice how you feel. Don't force yourself to drink again if you feel nauseous.
- Sports drinks can help you balance electrolytes and reduce the amount of sugar in your blood, but make sure they don't contain sugar or your blood sugar will rise further.
- Water is also useful for excreting ketones, but you need to be careful. If you've detected ketones in your urine, ask your doctor for approval before drinking.
Step 5. Go for a walk
One of the quickest remedies to reduce the amount of sugar in the blood is to exercise and walking is the simplest and most immediate solution. If you don't want to leave the house, walk in a circle in the living room or go up and down the stairs of the building.
- Keep moving for 5-10 minutes, then measure your blood sugar. Your doctor may suggest that you check for ketones in your urine as well. If your blood glucose level has not decreased, exceeds 250 mg / dL or if there are ketones in your urine, stop exercising immediately.
- Do not exercise for more than 15-20 minutes, the blood sugar level should not drop excessively.
- If you have detected the presence of ketones in your urine, do not do any kind of physical activity, not even light ones, otherwise your condition could worsen. Contact your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
Step 6. Take a warm shower
If you are at home, taking a warm shower for fifteen minutes can improve the flow of insulin through the body, thereby speeding up the return of blood sugar to normal. Note that the water doesn't have to be very hot.
- After a shower, measure your glucose level again to see if it has dropped. You can also drink another glass of water.
- Be careful because taking a hot shower means pushing the body to burn glucose. Since the muscles need insulin to use it, if the insulin level is insufficient, the amount of sugar in the blood can increase rather than decrease.
Step 7. Contact your doctor
If water, a walk, and a hot shower have not helped reduce the amount of glucose in your blood to an acceptable level, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
- Your doctor may order tests or change your current therapy.
- Accurately document all episodes in which your blood sugar rises. If your lifestyle is not to blame, you may need to change your care to get well again.
Method 2 of 3: Adopt a Healthy Diet
Step 1. Rely on protein
In addition to making you feel full for a long time, they can help stabilize your blood sugar level. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon, snack on a protein food. Avoid snacks that contain sugar so as not to aggravate the problem of high blood sugar.
A tablespoon of unsweetened peanut or almond butter can provide you with the dose of protein you need. Alternatively, you can eat a handful of walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts or a piece of cheese
Step 2. Make yourself a green smoothie
Use leafy greens, such as lettuce, kale, or spinach, which are high in magnesium and help keep your glucose at a healthy level. Keep the vegetables and fruit already clean and ready in the refrigerator to use when you are hungry.
- Search online to find many recipes that combine fruit and vegetables in a healthy and tasty way. Experiment with different combinations to find out which ones you like best. Follow the rhythm of the seasons and change ingredients often to not get bored with the flavor of your smoothies.
- Eating several servings of leafy vegetables each day can help stabilize your blood sugar level over time to reduce the frequency of high blood sugar episodes.
Step 3. Take advantage of the properties of cinnamon
It is rich in chromium, a nutrient that some say is able to absorb glucose, thus reducing its level in the blood. While scientists haven't confirmed this yet, you won't take any chances by adding a pinch of cinnamon to some of your dishes. You can use it when making smoothies or sprinkle it on fruit to take advantage of its potential qualities.
When you want a delicious snack, you can sprinkle a handful of almonds with cinnamon and toast them for a few minutes in a pan. You will satisfy the palate without risking to increase the amount of sugar in the blood
Step 4. Go for whole grains
They have a high content of magnesium and, although it has not yet been shown that this mineral is able to reduce the level of glucose in the blood, type 2 diabetes has a close correlation with magnesium deficiency. Have breakfast with whole grains or wholemeal toasted bread.
- In addition to whole wheat, include unrefined spelled, rice, rye, and oats in your diet. They are versatile grains that you can use in many ways.
- Eat bread in moderation, even wholemeal bread. Replacing white bread with wholemeal bread is certainly a winning step in staying healthy, but keep in mind that two slices of wholemeal bread can increase the amount of glucose in the blood more than two tablespoons of sugar. Also read the labels carefully to make sure it does not contain added sugars.
Step 5. Switch to an almost plant-based diet
Many diabetic patients have noticed noticeable improvements since starting a vegetarian or vegan diet. Even if you're not ready to say goodbye to burgers and bacon, try to limit the amount of meat and dairy in your daily diet to try and reduce your blood sugar.
- Plant-based foods are high in fiber, which slows the release of sugar into the bloodstream. Over time, your glucose levels will tend to become more stable.
- Set your daily diet primarily on fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains, even if you don't feel ready to give up meat and dairy products entirely.
- If you love milk and its derivatives, keep in mind that whole milk and cream contain less sugar than low-fat varieties.
Method 3 of 3: Exercise Regularly
Step 1. Watch for ketones in your urine
If you have diabetes and high blood sugar, use test strips to measure the level of ketones in your urine. Do not exercise if the results confirm its presence.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious condition that can be fatal. If your urinalysis shows that ketones are present, contact your doctor immediately
Step 2. Start with some simple walks
Exercising regularly is the easiest way to keep your blood sugar level within a healthy range. Walking is a free activity suitable for everyone, excellent for starting to move as you already know perfectly well how to do it.
- Train at a moderate pace initially. As you walk, you need to be able to converse easily. If you feel out of breath, slow down or stop.
- If you are concerned about having to exercise alone, ask a friend or neighbor to accompany you on your walks.
Step 3. Try to exercise 10-15 minutes a day
Exercising regularly doesn't mean you have to spend hours in the gym. 10-15 minutes a day of physical activity at moderate intensity is really all you need.
Always warm up your muscles before you start exercising and stretch at the end of each session. For example, if you plan to walk for 15 minutes, keep a slower pace during the first and last two minutes of the walk
Step 4. Check your blood sugar level periodically as you exercise
Exercising is one of the simplest ways to quickly reduce the amount of glucose in your blood, but your blood sugar may rise if the pace is too high. If you have frequent episodes of high blood sugar, measure your glucose level before, during, and at the end of your workout.
- Also make sure that by trying to stabilize your blood sugar level through exercise, you don't inadvertently end up dropping it too much.
- If you notice that your blood sugar level jumps, stop exercising immediately.
