How to Prevent Blood Sugar Spikes and Crashes

1
How to Prevent Blood Sugar Spikes and Crashes

• DOC-AID URGENT CARE

2

• Maintaining a healthy blood sugar level can be
  difficult for those familiar with the pattern of
  blood sugar spikes and crashes that send them on
  an energy roller coaster throughout the day.
  While all of us experience some fluctuation in
  blood sugar levels after meals and in between
  meals, a sudden increase or decrease in blood
  sugar can ruin your day, make you feel tired, and
  make you crave carbs, making it difficult to lose
  weight or keep your body weight in check.
• Snacking is the worst way to deal with a blood
  sugar crash because it triggers a second surge.
  Your body releases insulin, which tells your
  cells to use the extra energy, or your body will
  store extra fuel as fat.

3
What Makes Blood Sugar Levels Go Up Quickly?

• All foods contribute to increased blood sugar
  levels as a natural part of the digestive
  process. So, high blood sugar levels after a meal
  are normal.
• Blood sugar levels vary between people, and these
  changes are known as blood sugar spikes. Blood
  sugar spikes occur when there is a rapid increase
  in blood sugar levels after consuming
  high-carbohydrate foods. When we eat sugar-rich
  foods such as donuts, chips, or white bread, our
  bodies break these simple carbohydrates into
  sugar. This sugar circulates in our bloodstream
  as glucose.
• As glucose enters your bloodstream, your blood
  sugar levels rise. This causes your body to
  release insulin, a hormone that allows glucose to
  leave your blood and enter your cells, where it
  can be used for energy or stored to be used
  later.
• According to a study, blood sugar fluctuation
  happens in everyone, even those who dont have
  diabetes or think theyre healthy and active.
  According to the Centers for Disease Control and
  Prevention (CDC), over 96 million adults in the
  United States live with prediabetes, and over 80
  percent dont know they have it.

4
What Causes Low Blood Sugar?

• Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, can
  be caused by various things, such as skipping
  meals, taking too many insulin injections, taking
  other diabetes medications, exercising more than
  usual, or drinking alcohol. A blood glucose level
  of less than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
  is low.
• The sign of low blood sugar vary from person to
  person, but common ones include
• shaking or trembling
• feeling hot or sweaty
• feeling nervous or anxious
• feeling irritable or confused
• feeling dizzy
• feeling hungry

5
What Are the Best Ways to Lower My Blood Sugar?

• Consult a doctor to determine the best course of
  action to maintain blood glucose levels in the
  desired range. Your doctor may suggest the
  following
• Be more active. Working out also helps regulate
  your blood sugar levels. One thing to note is
  that if you have ketones in your urine, you
  should not exercise, as this can cause your blood
  sugar to rise further.
• Take medicine as instructed. If you have high
  blood sugar regularly, your doctor may adjust the
  dose or timing of your medication.
• Follow your diabetes meal plan. Talk to your
  doctor or nutritionist if you need help staying
  on track with your diet.
• Monitor your blood sugar more frequently if you
  are ill or worried about elevated or decreased
  blood sugar levels.
• Consult with your physician to determine the
  appropriate insulin dosage and the type of
  insulin to be administered.

6
What Other Lifestyle Changes Can I Make to Help
Control My Blood Sugar?

• Eating a balanced diet with lots of fruits and
  veggies, maintaining a healthy body weight, and
  engaging in regular physical activity are all
  ways to improve your health. Other tips include
• Monitoring your blood sugar levels and seeing
  what causes them to rise or decrease.
• Eating at regular times and not skipping meals is
  essential.
• Choose foods low in calories, saturated fat,
  trans-fats, sugars, and salt.
• Track what you eat and drink and how much
  exercise you do.
• Drink water rather than juice or soda.
• Limit alcoholic beverages.
• For sweet treats, choose fruit.
• Control how much you eat by using the plate
  method. For example, Fill half of your plate with
  a non-starchy vegetable, a quarter with a lean
  protein, and half with a grain or starch food.

7
Getting Help With Your Blood Sugar at the Urgent
Care Center

• Urgent care clinics can be an excellent option
  for managing blood sugar levels, especially if
  you are experiencing high blood sugar
  (hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar
  (hypoglycemia). Urgent care clinics typically
  open longer than primary care offices and can
  often provide same-day care.
• You should go to an urgent care center to manage
  your blood sugar if you are experiencing any of
  the following symptoms
• High Blood Sugar increased thirst, frequent
  urination, extreme hunger, blurred vision,
  fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, nausea and
  vomiting, or rapid breathing.
• Low Blood Sugar sweating, tremors, anxiety,
  dizziness, lightheadedness, hunger, confusion, or
  seizures.