How to Manage High Blood Sugar

Common myths about diabetes have included notions that it is not a serious disease or that eating too much sugar causes diabetes. 

Diabetes "causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined," the American Diabetes Association says as of 2010. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the disease; type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. Therefore, while prevention of this disease is not always possible, its management is.

Things You'll Need

• Blood glucose meter
• Test strips
• Log book
• Control solution (if applicable)

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Instructions

• 1

  Test blood glucose regularly. Keep results in a logbook, and learn to properly recall your glucose meter's memory, which would contain the date, time and result of past readings in case you miss a log time.

• 2

  Recognize the signs that your blood sugar is too high. Signs include frequent urination and increased thirst, according to the ADA.

• 3

  Learn how to properly operate and clean your blood glucose meter. This includes learning how to properly set the time and date, setting alarms, calibration (if needed), changing the battery and proper storage of test strips (to avoid extreme heat or cold).

• 4

  Follow your doctor's recommended meal times for five daily small, balanced meals and dietary requirements. Keeping small, healthful snacks in an insulated lunch bag at all times can make it easier to stick to this plan.

• 5

  Follow your doctor's advice regarding proper minimum exercise needs and limitations.