If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes and you have symptoms of hyperglycemia, follow the advice your care team has given you to reduce your blood sugar level.

If you’re not sure what to do, contact your GP or care team. You may be advised to:

• Change Your Diet – for example, you may be advised to avoid foods that cause your blood sugar levels to rise, such as cakes or sugary drinks

• Drink plenty of sugar-free fluids – this can help if you’re dehydrated

• Exercise more often – gentle, regular exercise such as walking can often lower your blood sugar level, particularly if it helps you lose weight

• If you use insulin, adjust your dose – your care team can give you specific advice about how to do this

You may also be advised to monitor your blood sugar level more closely, or test your blood or urine for substances called ketones (associated with diabetic ketoacidosis).

Until your blood sugar level is back under control, watch out for additional symptoms that could be a sign of a more serious condition (see below).

When to Get Urgent Medical Attention

Contact your diabetes care team immediately if you have a high blood sugar level and experience the following symptoms:

• Feeling or being sick

• Abdominal (tummy) pain 

• Rapid, deep breathing

• Signs of dehydration, such as a headache, dry skin and a weak, rapid heartbeat

• Difficulty staying awake

These symptoms could be a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis or a hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (see above) and you may need to be looked after in hospital.

How to Prevent Hyperglycemia

There are simple ways to reduce your risk of severe or prolonged hyperglycemia:

• Be careful what you eat – be particularly aware of how snacking and eating sugary foods or carbohydrates can affect your blood sugar level.Limit your added sugar to 10grames/day. Eat fruit when you want something sweet.

• Stick to your treatment plan – remember to take your insulin or other diabetes medications as recommended by your care team.

• Be as active as possible – getting regular exercise can help stop your blood sugar level rising, but you should check with your doctor first if you’re taking diabetes medication, as some medicines can lead to hypoglycemia if you exercise too much

• Take extra care when you’re ill – your care team can provide you with some “sick day rules” that outline what you can do to keep your blood sugar level under control during an illness.

• Monitor your blood sugar level – your care team may suggest using a device to check your level at home, so you can spot an increase early and take steps to stop it.

Do you need help managing your blood sugar levels? Sometimes it’s as simple as adding fruit and eliminating sugar. I have helped hundreds of people lower their blood sugar levels by eating more mindfully. If you are struggling, contact me and I can help you too!