High blood sugar levels (also known as hyperglycemia) occur when the body either (1) isn’t producing enough insulin or (2) isn’t using its insulin stores effectively. While there’s no instant way to lower blood sugar levels, there are some strategies that can be used to bring levels back down to a safe and manageable level. 
 
First, take the rapid-acting insulin as prescribed by your doctor. Taking insulin can decrease your blood sugar levels, but only if you’re taking the proper dose and administering it properly. Once you’ve taken insulin, it’s important to check your blood sugar levels again 15–30 minutes later to ensure that they’re stabilizing and not dropping below safe levels.
 
Exercise is another effective way of lowering blood sugar levels. For this to be successful, you’ll need to perform a type of exercise that gets your cardiovascular system pumping. This may include activities such as walking at a brisk pace, cycling, performing aerobics, jogging, etc. While it may seem counterintuitive to exercise during a blood sugar spike, exercise actually makes your body more receptive to insulin, which can lower blood sugar levels for up to 24 hours following activity.
 
It’s important to note that if your blood sugar is above 240 mg/dl, then you should check your urine for ketones before performing any exercise. This can be done using an at-home test provided by your doctor or purchased from a pharmacy. If you have ketones in your urine, exercise will encourage your blood sugar levels to rise, and this significantly increases your risk of medical complications.

What is considered a normal blood sugar range may vary from person to person and be affected by factors such as your age, genetics, and any additional health issues you may have. Your primary physician will take aspects of your health into consideration and will relay an appropriate blood sugar level for you.
 
However, a normal blood sugar range for most diabetics is between 80 to 130 mg/dL before a meal and less than 180 mg/dL two hours following the start of a meal. Results that are higher than the suggested range may indicate hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), while results that are lower may be indicative of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Diabetics who don’t manage high blood sugar levels can suffer from serious long-term health complications such as heart disease, vision loss, kidney disease, damaged blood vessels, stroke, and wounds that don’t heal. Damage to blood vessels caused by high levels of blood sugar also increases your risk of having a heart attack.
 
Lowering high blood sugar and keeping it within the target range indicated by your doctor can help prevent these severe complications from developing.

Proactive healthcare means knowing what the symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) are so that you can work to lower your levels as quickly as possible.
 
Early symptoms of hyperglycemia include:
 
• Blurred vision
• Confusion and disorientation
• Hyperventilation or difficulty breathing
• Dehydration.
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Headache
• Increased thirst and/or hunger
• Rapid heartbeat
• Slow-healing cuts and sores
• The unusual fruity smell on the breath
• Vaginal and skin infections
• Weight loss while vomiting
 
If you’re experiencing these symptoms as a diabetic, check your blood sugar levels and take active steps to lower them if they show up as being high. This may include taking insulin, exercising, or contacting a certified physician to help you control your high blood sugar levels.
 
If you’re looking for professional and experienced physicians that you can trust to help you manage your diabetes, contact us at Niagara Falls Urgent Care. We pride ourselves on offering the highest level of care and addressing your concerns promptly and effectively. We are conveniently located at 3117 Military Road Suite 2, Niagara Falls, NY 14304. We serve patients from Niagara Falls NY, Lewiston NY, Sanborn NY, Walmore NY, Tonawanda NY, Sanborn NY, Model City NY, Youngstown NY, Ransomville NY, and Grand Island NY.