How to Lower High Blood Sugar Effectively
Before taking steps to lower high blood sugar, it's essential to determine whether the condition is caused by stress-induced hyperglycemia or diabetes. Based on the cause, appropriate treatment measures can be implemented. Below are the recommended strategies for both scenarios:
Managing Stress-Induced Hyperglycemia
In cases of stress-related high blood sugar, the first step is to identify and remove the stress factors contributing to the elevated glucose levels. At the same time, blood sugar should be carefully managed. If the blood sugar levels are significantly high, short-acting insulin is often recommended for quick control. Oral hypoglycemic agents are generally not advised under acute stress conditions due to their slower onset and variable effectiveness.
Managing Diabetes
1. Dietary Adjustments
Adopting a healthy eating plan is crucial for diabetes management. A diet low in sugar, fat, and salt can help regulate blood glucose levels. It's best to limit consumption of high-glycemic foods such as soft noodles, rice noodles, porridge, soups, and meat-filled buns, as these can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar.
2. Regular Physical Activity
Engaging in consistent, moderate-intensity exercise is highly beneficial. It is recommended to accumulate around 150 minutes of physical activity per week. This level of exercise should be sufficient enough to raise your heart rate and make you slightly out of breath—where you can speak single words but not form full sentences fluently.
3. Medication Therapy
Diabetes treatment may involve oral medications or insulin injections, depending on the patient's specific condition, type of diabetes, and pancreatic function. A healthcare provider can help determine the most suitable medication plan based on individual health assessments.
4. Blood Glucose Monitoring
Regular blood sugar monitoring is a key component of diabetes care. It provides valuable insights into how well your current treatment plan is working and allows for timely adjustments. Consistent tracking helps overcome treatment inertia and ensures better glycemic control.
5. Diabetes Education and Awareness
Since diabetes is a lifelong condition, patients should actively learn about the disease and its management. Understanding your body's response to food, activity, and medication, and applying this knowledge based on your personal health situation, is essential. Staying updated on the latest diabetes care guidelines also helps improve long-term outcomes.