Type 2 Diabetes: Living With the Disease-Causes of High and Low Blood Sugar

Type 2 Diabetes: Living With the Disease - Causes of High and Low Blood Sugar

Even if you've been careful to take care of yourself and manage your type 2 diabetes, there may still be times when your blood sugar is too high or too low.

Over time, high blood sugar can lead to serious problems or a medical emergency. When your blood sugar is too low, you can get shaky and weak. If your blood sugar gets very low, you could pass out (lose consciousness).

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High blood sugar can happen if you:

Skip a dose of your diabetes medicine or skip a required dose of insulin.
Eat too much.
Are stressed or ill (such as with a bad case of the flu) or if you have an infection, especially if you are not eating or drinking enough.
Are taking medicines that raise blood sugar as a side effect, such as sleeping pills, some anti-inflammatory medicines (corticosteroids), and some decongestants.

Being pregnant can also make your blood sugar levels go up.

If you take insulin, you may have some mornings when your blood sugar level is very high, even if it was low when you went to bed. This called the Somogyi effect. Talk with your doctor if this happens. You may need to check your blood sugar during the night to find out why your levels are high in the morning.

You aren't likely to get low blood sugar unless you take insulin or some kinds of oral medicines. You may get low blood sugar if you:

Take too much oral medicine in a day, take your doses too close together, or take your full dose of medicine when you are not going to eat your usual amount of food.
Exercise too much without eating enough food.
Skip a meal.
Drink too much alcohol, especially on an empty stomach.
Take other medicines that can lower blood sugar levels, such as large doses of aspirin and medicines for mental health problems.
Have problems with your kidneys.
Start to have other problems with your glands and hormones, such as Addison's disease or hypothyroidism.

Answer:

Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

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