How to Control Spikes in Blood Sugar in Diabetes
The best and simplest way to control blood glucose level (BGL) spikes is to prevent them. The best technique is to maintain a current monitoring system to track BGL fluctuations, exercise regularly, follow a healthy nutritional regimen and manage or keep your stress level low. Once the blood sugar level has gone higher than normal the best way to correct it is through medication, rest and light exercise.Things You'll Need
- Blood glucose meter with strips and lancets
- Blood glucose level log
- Anti diabetic medications
- Exercise plan
- Healthy diet
- Stress reduction techniques
Instructions
-
Non insulin treatment
-
1
Monitor your blood glucose levels. Use your meter and test strips. Check your BGL before each meal/snack and anytime you feel low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia). Average normal range:
Fasting BGL between 70 - 130 mg/dl (US)
Two hours after each normal meal no higher than 180 mg/dl
Average normal range of reference between 70 - 130 mg/dl.
For some people the range between 70 and 80 mg/dl already feels low. If that's you then adjust accordingly.
Test frequently and be aware if you tend to spike after certain meals or activities. -
2
Keep a log. Be aware of your BGL reaction to food, exercise and stress in your daily life. There are several choices as to log keeping, from computer software, to built in memory bank in the blood glucose meter which can be downloaded to your and your doctor's computer, to paper logs and even phone apps. Choose whichever works best for you.
-
3
Correct for highs. Blood sugar generally rises because:
You eat too much
You are sick (physical stress)
You are stressed (emotional stress)
You exercise too little
You take too little medicationCheck your log, assess the most likely cause and adjust accordingly. For example, if you had a huge meal or dessert, you know why your BGL is high. To avoid it, reduce the quantity/quality of your food intake. To correct it after the fact take your medication (if you are taking one that is effective for such a case) or exercise lightly.
-
4
Exercise. Cardiovascular exercise is best, 30-60 minutes per day. Exercise prevents spikes in BGL and can correct them. If your BGL is high enough you'll have ketones in your urine which may drive your BGL higher even if you exercise. In that case exercise lightly. A simple 20 minute walk is good.
-
5
Reduce stress. Stress spikes your BGL. Rest, meditate and avoid stressful circumstances. If you can't avoid them meditate and breathe deeply before and after. Find a relaxation practice that you like (like yoga, meditation, a hobby, a creative activity), and do it regularly to train yourself to stay calm and be able to deal with stress when it comes.
Insulin treatment
-
6
If you are on an insulin pump you can discuss with your doctor how to add insulin on a regular basis or increase on the spot to adjust for BGL spikes.
-
7
If you take shots adjust your insulin levels according to your diet, your exercise and your stress levels.
If you want to correct for a sudden spike in BGL the safe way to do it is with fast acting insulin. Do not correct a temporary spike with a long lasting insulin because it will keep pushing your BGL down toward hypoglycemia for the duration of the insulin effect. -
8
With fast acting insulin, always consult your doctor or diabetes specialist to adjust your insulin levels.
The general rule is to use one unit of insulin for every 50 mg/dl over the desired range. But this is to be adjusted based on your specific case. For example, if your BGL after a big meal is 240 to bring it down to 180 (60 mg/dl above 180 = 240) you'll need two units of fast acting insulin. If you want to bring it down to below 120 you'll need three units.
This varies greatly if you take a long lasting insulin together with a fast acting. It also varies depending on what you eat and how you react to insulin. If you eat a low starch high sugar meal you will need a different amount of insulin than if you eat starches.
-
1