If you don’t, you could be at risk for potentially life-threatening complications.
Slow-acting insulin, such as NPH, does not lower blood sugar quickly.
It takes several hours to work.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Insulin works by moving glucose from your blood into your cells.
Rapid-acting insulin may start working in 15 minutes, or it may take up to an hour.
A blood sugar of 240 mg/dL puts you at risk for DKA.
Regular readings of 600 mg/dL or higher could lead to HHS.
Both of these conditions can be fatal and require emergency medical treatment.
Intramuscular Injections
Injecting your insulin directly into a muscle can help your body absorb it more quickly.
However, it’s also more likely to lead to hypoglycemia, which may become severe.
It can also cause a potentially fatal insulin overdose.
Talk to your healthcare team about whether intramuscular injections are a good idea during hyperglycemic episodes.
They can also tell you where and how to give yourself this kind of injection.
Take Missed Oral Medication
Many people with diabetes take prescription medications other than or along with insulin.
These medications help keep your blood sugar within the normal range.
Missing a dose of these medications can make your blood glucose level (BGL) high.
If you’re surprised by a high reading, check to ensure you took your last dose.
Keeping them in a daily pill sorter instead of a bottle makes this simple.
However, many diabetes drugs only work if they’re takenbeforeyou eat.
They won’t help lower a dangerously high BGL.
These include biguanides such asmetforminand alpha-glucosidase inhibitors like acarbose and Glyset (miglitol).
This can cause dangerous side effects.
If you miss several doses, contact your practitioner about the best course of action.
During muscle contractions, your cells take glucose from your bloodstream and use it for energy.
This lowers your blood sugar for 24 hours or more after you exercise.
In general, though:
It’s a good idea to doregular blood sugar checksbefore and after working out.
Causes of Hyperglycemia in Diabetes
Does Drinking Water Lower Blood Sugar?
What Drinks Help Lower Blood Sugar?
Most people need about 4 to 6 cups of water each day.
If you work out frequently or tend to sweat a lot, you may need more.
If you take medications that cause fluid retention, you may need less.
Watch Your Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates make your blood sugar rise.
There aren’t any foods that will reduce your blood sugar immediately.
The glycemic index measures how different foods affect your blood sugar.
High glycemic foods cause your blood sugar to rise quickly.
Low glycemic foods have less impact on blood sugar.
How Do You Feel When Blood Sugar Is Too High?
Some keyhyperglycemia symptomsinclude extreme thirst, frequent urination, and nausea.
Moderate carbohydrate intake can help to prevent your blood sugar from rising too fast.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have consistently high levels, increased thirst, or frequent urination.
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