People with diabetes and overweight or obesity can also have other health conditions that affect sleep, such as sleep apnea, which can raise your blood pressure and risk of heart disease. Diabetes is a serious condition, and it’s important to talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about your blood sugar levels. Your provider can order tests to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes and provide treatment recommendations.
High and low blood sugars can be a nuisance, but they don’t always have to become scary and dangerous. We need to strive every day to make sure that we don’t let our blood sugars go too high or too low, and that can be exhausting. When you’re levels are out of normal range, there are measures that you can take. Once your doctor spots the early signs, they may send you to the hospital. You’ll get an IV to replace lost fluids and electrolytes such as potassium.
If you do drink alcohol, be sure to eat food when you drink and remember to check your blood glucose level after drinking. Talk with your health care team about your alcohol-drinking habits. Diabetes is different for everyone, meaning that target goals will vary for each person and those goals will depend on many different factors. While this is an area to consult with your diabetes care team about, the medical community has guidance on what certain people should strive for in blood glucose levels.
High blood sugar levels can be a cause for concern, especially for individuals with diabetes. But what exactly is considered as high blood sugar level? Here we will explore this crucial aspect of managing diabetes and overall health.
Diabetes is a condition that makes it difficult or impossible for the body to regulate glucose levels on its own. When someone is living with diabetes, their body is either unable to produce enough insulin’or make enough insulin available for use. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy.
Blood Sugar Level Ranges
The treatment for excessively high blood sugar involves IV fluids and insulin. That will help you and your doctor see how your treatment is working. If your doctor has diagnosed you with prediabetes, they’ll probably want to check your blood sugar levels once a year or more often. Keep your blood sugar levels close to normal to avoid many of these health problems.
Generally speaking, a normal blood sugar level is considered to be between 70-130 mg/dL before meals and less than 180 mg/dL after meals. However, levels can vary depending on individual factors such as age, weight, and activity level.
What is Considered High?
General blood sugar targets for adults with diabetes include a fasting blood sugar of 80 to 130 mg/dL and less than 180 mg/dL one to two hours after meals. Technically, anything higher than this is high, but this is also very subjective and should be discussed with your healthcare provider. People with diabetes use at-home blood sugar testing (using a glucose meter) to monitor their blood sugar and check for hyperglycemia. If you use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), your device may alert you to high blood sugar.
- Normal: Less than 140 mg/dL
- Prediabetes: Between 140-199 mg/dL
- Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher
Factors Contributing to High Blood Sugar
- Poor diet high in sugary and processed foods
- Lack of physical activity
- Stress and poor sleep habits
- Medication side effects
FAQs
Q: What are the symptoms of high blood sugar?
A: Symptoms can include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision.
Q: How can I lower my blood sugar levels?
A: Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and taking prescribed medications can help manage blood sugar levels.
By staying informed about what constitutes high blood sugar levels and taking proactive steps to manage them, individuals can effectively control their diabetes and improve their overall well-being.
