Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels, is common in people with diabetes. If your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or your body becomes resistant to insulin, your blood sugar levels may become high.
I talked to him. Dr Sonya KahnAn expert in endocrine diseases talks about how to lower your blood sugar levels and why managing your blood sugar levels is so important. Here are the tips she shared:
Find out what type of diabetes you have
If you have diabetes and your blood sugar levels are elevated, it’s important to know what type of diabetes you have.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin. Insulin can only be treated by injection or delivered via an insulin pump. A lack of insulin can lead to a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.
If you have type 2 diabetes, you can usually manage high blood sugar levels with diet, exercise, and medications.
“High blood sugar can be caused by diet, but it can also be caused by certain medications, infections, stress, and pain,” says Kahn. “If his blood sugar levels are consistently above 200 mg/dL, there may be something else going on. Please contact your doctor or care team as your medication may need adjustment. Please consult.”
drink more water
Staying hydrated by drinking water is important for managing blood sugar, also known as blood sugar.
“Water helps your kidneys filter excess sugar from your urine,” says Kahn. “So the more hydrated you are, the more urine you produce and the more sugar your body gets rid of.”
Be sure to choose water instead of sugary drinks like soda or juice.
monitor carbohydrate intake
Khan said there is no scientific evidence that any particular type of food has the effect of lowering blood sugar levels, but emphasized the importance of a balanced diet that includes adequate carbohydrates, unsaturated fats and lean protein. is emphasized. This helps keep blood sugar levels in check.
“It’s best to meet your daily carbohydrate needs with complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, lentils, and legumes,” says Khan. “The fiber in these foods slows down digestion. Try to limit white bread, potatoes, and pasta.”
Carbohydrates are converted to sugar by your body, so be selective when consuming carbohydrates.
Avoid simple sugars such as soda, desserts, and candy.
stay active
Exercise is good for your health and helps lower blood sugar levels.
We recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week. You can split this into smaller portions throughout the week. Aim to do full-body strength training twice a week.
“When you exercise, your muscles take up glucose and use it for energy,” says Kahn.
When asked if there was a way to lower blood sugar levels quickly, Khan said it was a combination of hydration, exercise, and reducing sugar and carbohydrate intake. did it help.
Prevention is the key to lowering blood sugar levels
One of the best ways to lower your blood sugar levels is to take steps to prevent high blood sugar levels in the first place, Kahn says.
“If you choose the right foods and exercise regularly, you’re more likely to have good blood sugar control,” she says. “Some medications, such as steroids, can increase blood sugar levels. If you start taking this medication, you may need to start monitoring your blood sugar levels and whether you are taking any medications to control your blood sugar levels. Please ask your team if you need one.”
Check your blood sugar levels frequently
Monitoring your blood sugar levels is important, and talk to your doctor about how often you should check your blood sugar levels.
“By checking your blood sugar levels regularly, you can detect hyperglycemia early and manage it appropriately,” says Khan. “That’s the best thing we can do for our patients. It gives us a lot of information so we can look at long-term trends and decide on the appropriate treatment.”
Request an appointment online with MD Anderson Or call 1-877-632-6789.
