For hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), key actions include managing blood glucose through proper medication (often insulin), diet, and lifestyle changes, regular monitoring, and timely medical consultation if blood sugar remains high or ketones appear.
Management at Home
- Exercise: Moderate exercise can help lower blood sugar, but avoid exercising if blood glucose is above 240 mg/dL with ketones present, as this may worsen the condition.
- Diet: Reduce intake of sugary foods and beverages, pasta, bread, and large soups; increase vegetables. Follow a diabetes meal plan with smaller, balanced portions.
- Medication: Take prescribed insulin or oral glucose-lowering drugs as directed. Adjustments in dose or timing may be needed if hyperglycemia recurs.
- Monitoring: Check blood glucose regularly, especially during illness or if symptoms worsen.
When to Seek Medical Attention
- Presence of ketones in urine or blood.
- Blood sugar persistently above 300 mg/dL despite diet and medication adjustments.
- Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, fruity breath, extreme thirst, confusion.
- Inability to keep down food or fluids.
Medical Treatments
- For severe hyperglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis, emergency treatment includes intravenous fluids, electrolytes, and insulin therapy to rapidly lower blood sugar and manage complications.
- Long-term goals focus on reducing complications such as kidney, eye, and cardiovascular diseases through tight glycemic control and lifestyle modifications.
Close follow-up with healthcare providers and possibly endocrinologists is vital for personalized management and preventing long-term damage from hyperglycemia.
