The quickest way to lower your blood sugar is to take fast-acting insulin. However, if your readings stay high, it’s important to seek immediate medical support.
High blood sugar levels, also known as hyperglycemia, can result in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) if insulin levels are low.
DKA is a medical emergency. Symptoms include:
- shortness of breath
- breath that smells fruity
- nausea and vomiting
- dry mouth
If you’re unsure what to do, it’s important to call a doctor for instructions on administering a dose of insulin and for advice about whether to go to the emergency room.
This article looks at ways to lower your blood sugar quickly, when to go to the emergency room or visit a doctor, and tips for managing high blood sugar.
When treated early, you can bring high blood sugar levels down and prevent complications, including DKA.
Some sources suggest that drinking water or eating a high protein snack can quickly lower your blood sugar levels, though there’s not enough research to support this.
If you have high blood sugar and need to lower it fast, try the following methods:
Take your insulin as prescribed
High blood sugar occurs when your body has too little insulin or your body can’t use insulin properly. Administering insulin
It’s important to talk with a doctor about how much rapid-acting insulin you should administer when your blood sugar is high.
You may want to check your blood sugar at least 15 minutes after taking insulin to ensure that it is going down and that it is not dropping too low.
Exercise
Exercise is a fast and effective way to lower blood sugar levels. Exercise can lower your blood sugar for 24 hours or more. This is because it makes your body more sensitive to insulin.
Physical activity causes the body to demand glucose for energy. As a result, the cells deliver glucose to the muscles and blood sugar levels usually drop.
If your blood sugar is above 240 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), you should check your urine for ketones. If ketones are present, do not exercise. Doing so can make your blood sugar rise even higher.
While exercise is an effective way to lower your blood sugar throughout the day, some exercises — particularly short bursts of strenuous activity — can briefly increase blood sugar levels.
This is because strenuous activity activates the body’s stress response, causing a release of glucagon to power the muscles.
Checking your blood sugar and then treating hyperglycemia early can help prevent any complications.
Complications can arise when someone has high blood sugar regularly and without treatment.
Examples include:
- nerve damage, called diabetic neuropathy, that may affect sensations in the feet and hands
- diabetic retinopathy, or damage to the blood vessels in the eyes that affects vision
- increased risks of kidney problems
- increased risks of heart problems
Taking steps to keep your blood sugar at target levels can help minimize the likelihood that these complications will occur.
Here are some general guidelines for
| Blood sugar | What to know |
|---|---|
| 70 mg/dL or lower | Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Eat a snack to raise blood sugar (e.g., 1/2 cup fruit juice, 1 tbsp honey, or 2 tbsp raisins). |
| 80–130 mg/dL | Ideal preprandial range (before a meal). |
| 180 mg/dL or lower | Ideal postprandial range (1–2 hours after beginning a meal). |
| 240 mg/dL or higher | Check your urine for ketones. Call a doctor if you find moderate amounts of ketones after more than one test. |
According to the University of Michigan, blood sugar levels of 300 mg/dL or more can be dangerous. The university recommends to call a doctor if you have two readings in a row of 300 mg/dL or more. They can offer advice on next steps and reassurance.
You should also speak with a doctor if you have consistently high blood sugar levels. Symptoms of this include:
- consistently high blood sugar readings
- frequent urination
- increased thirst
- high levels of sugar in urine
A doctor can help you identify how often you should check your blood sugar and what your ideal blood sugar level is.
High blood sugar can be concerning because your body can start burning fat for energy instead of blood glucose.
This can cause DKA, which is a medical emergency. It can be fatal if left untreated.
Symptoms that can indicate you should go to the emergency room include:
- ketones in your urine
- confusion
- nausea
- shortness of breath
- stomach pain
- vomiting
- fruit-scented breath
DKA is a serious complication of type 1 diabetes. It’s rare in people with type 2 diabetes but can still occur.
When to call 911
If you or someone around you is experiencing any of the above symptoms in relation to diabetes, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room. Early treatment can help avoid serious complications.
what is a good glucose level?
Healthy or good glucose levels depend on several factors, such as your age, whether you have diabetes and your weight. There is no one correct or “healthy” number. Your doctor can help determine the best range for you. Generally, the
What blood sugar level is considered hyperglycemia?
In general, if an individual is in the
Can I exercise if I feel my blood sugar dropping?
If you think your blood sugar (glucose) levels are dropping while you are exercising, you’ll need to stop exercising, check your blood glucose level, and if the reading is low, eat something to help your blood sugar level rise.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) suggests the 15-15-15 method to help raise your blood glucose levels if they drop during exercise: Stop exercising and check your blood sugar level. If it’s 100mg/dL or lower, eat 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrate. Recheck your blood glucose in 15 minutes. If it is still 100 mg/dL or lower, eat 15 to 20 more grams of carbohydrates. Repeat these steps every 15 minutes. Once your blood glucose reading is at least 100mg/dL, you may stop the process.
Should you give sugar to someone with hyperglycemia?
Giving sugar to someone with hyperglycemia will not immediately worsen the condition. However, the best plan is to take insulin to bring your blood sugar levels down. Talk with a doctor about how much insulin you should take for instances like this.
Is blood glucose of 170 hyperglycemia?
For a diagnosis of hyperglycemia, your blood sugar needs to be
Administering insulin and exercising are two of the most common ways to get blood sugar levels down.
However, if someone has ketones in their urine or symptoms of excessively high blood sugar, they should seek immediate medical support.
