How To Treat Hyperglycemia: A Diabetes Dietitian's Roadmap to Identifying Symptoms and Taking Control of High Blood Sugars
Chronic high blood sugars can lead to a diabetes diagnosis or put you at risk for additional health complications.
Keep reading to review blood sugar basics, learn the early signs of hyperglycemia and how to take action to treat high blood sugars.
This is the blog for you if you are ready to improve your health and simplify blood sugar management!
What is Hyperglycemia?
Hyperglycemia or high blood sugars is a condition when the amount of glucose in the blood exceeds the normal blood sugar range.
A normal blood sugar range for an adult with diabetes is 80 to 130 mg/dL when fasted and under 180 mg/dL after 2 hours of eating.
Without diabetes, the target range is under 99 mg/dL when fasted and under 140 mg/dL after 2 hours of eating.
What are the Causes of Hyperglycemia?
There are a variety of reasons for hyperglycemia such as medication side effects, medical conditions, sickness, poor stress management or unbalanced meal choices.
Specifically for individuals with diabetes, the body is not able to utilize insulin properly to regulate blood sugars when carbohydrates are consumed.
During digestion of carbs, they are broken down into glucose molecules (aka sugar) and enter the bloodstream. The insulin resistance causes the sugar to remain in the bloodstream and results in the onset of hyperglycemia.
What Happens if you don’t Treat Hyperglycemia?
In the short term, untreated hyperglycemia can result in any of the symptoms I will cover below.
In the long term, untreated hyperglycemia can progress into a prediabetes or type 2 diabetes diagnosis, other medical complications and in severe cases require hospitalization.
Complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, gum infections and damage to the retina are not uncommon for individuals with untreated hyperglycemia.
What are the symptoms of hyperglycemia?
There are a variety of symptoms one can experience. Below you will find a list of early signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia:
Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Fatigue and/or weakness
Blurred vision
Headaches
Increased hunger
Weight loss
Poor wound healing
Increased infections
Irritability
It is important to note that you do not need to experience all of these signs for there to be a concern.
These symptoms can also take weeks or months to develop. I have had clients report experiencing a single warning sign and some that have checked every single one off the list.
Advanced Symptoms
Diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA is a severe complication of untreated hyperglycemia. It is a condition characterized by the presence of ketones in the body along with an altered pH and elevated blood sugars.
DKA is a life threatening condition that is more common in individuals with type 1 diabetes; however, DKA can occur in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
How is Hyperglycemia Diagnosed?
Hyperglycemia is typically diagnosed by blood tests.
If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes or are looking for insights into your blood sugar control, I encourage you to request a fasting glucose, HbA1c test and fasting insulin test.
These tests will give insight into their body’s blood sugar trends.
Glucose meters and continuous glucose monitors are two other tools that can be used to gain a greater understanding of blood sugar control.
How long does it take to lower blood sugars?
The total time it takes to lower your blood sugars is going to depend on individual factors such as baseline lab values, other chronic health conditions, and adherence to healthy lifestyle habits.
Generally, with consistency, it is possible to see improved lab results within 3-6 months.
How To Treat Hyperglycemia
There are many medical interventions that can be taken to treat hyperglycemia.
If you are currently taking medication(s) prescribed by your doctor then you should continue that regime until an appropriate approach has been determined to wean you off the medication(s).
However, there are also approaches to lower blood sugar naturally and those are the ways I am going to highlight today.
Keep reading to learn about 5 actionable steps you can easily implement to prevent or treat hyperglycemia.
Create an Awareness
The first is creating an awareness of how you feel on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. This can be done by journaling, tracking symptoms, reflection or seeking additional knowledge.
Educating yourself on the possible warning signs of hyperglycemia can help you identify if you are experiencing any symptoms. Early identification will allow you to get on a path sooner to improve your overall health.
Build a Balanced Plate
Secondly, creating a balanced plate with the appropriate amount of fat, fiber, protein and carbohydrates can prevent blood sugar spikes.
This can be done by working with a diabetes dietitian to determine the specific nutrient amounts and meal timing your body needs. A personalized plan is essential for stable blood sugars.
Get Moving
Another step to take is to get moving! Physical activity has multiple benefits with blood sugar management being a major one.
When you exercise, the glucose is absorbed more efficiently, and insulin works more effectively leading to a decrease in blood sugars.
To maximize the health benefits, the exercise recommendation for adults is to get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic movement through activities like walking, swimming, cycling or dancing.
Prioritize Sleep
Too often, sleep becomes a last priority. Quality sleep allows your body to regulate hormones appropriately and reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease and obesity.
To improve your sleep quality and quantity, follow a sleep schedule and ensure your bedroom is a relaxing environment. Keep the lights dark, room at a cool temperature and minimize electronics around bedtime to promote high quality sleep.
Manage Stress
Last but not least, stress management! Hormones such as cortisol and glucagon cause the liver to release stored energy in the form of glucose into the blood during a stress response.
This causes an increase in blood sugar, which makes it more difficult to control blood sugars in both the short and long term.
Stress can be managed in a variety of ways such as mediation, journaling, yoga or deep breathing.
Maintaining Optimal Blood Sugar Levels
The bottom line is you can achieve optimal blood sugar levels and prevent hyperglycemia complications.
Incorporating these strategies into your daily routine can put you on the right path to simplifying blood sugar management.
If you need additional support, book a Clarity Call. Together we will build and strengthen a solid foundation to eliminate and reduce frustration around your diabetes diagnosis!
