Thanksgiving is a US holiday coming this week that often has us overeating and indulging more than usual.
What do you do if you find your blood sugars are high?!? Eeeekkk!
Well, there are 2 very simple steps to help bring them down. Before I get to that, let’s talk about the signs of high blood sugars.
You may have high blood sugars if you are experiencing any of the following:
o Excessive thirst
o Urinating Often
o Feeling tired/lethargic
o Uncomfortable or irritable
o Blurred vision
If you have any of those symptoms, be sure to check your blood sugars. High blood sugars are anything above 180-200 mg/dL.
Two ways to bring down these blood sugars is: W2 (Walking and Water)
1. Walking: Walking increasing insulin sensitivity and helps your muscles use blood sugar for movement. These results may even last up to 24 hours. The key is not to do strenuous exercise as that has the opposite effect of raising blood sugar levels as sugar is released into the blood stream.
2. Water: High blood sugars cause you to urinate more because your kidneys try to flush out excess sugar. By drinking water, you stay hydrated and help the kidney flushing process. Be careful to avoid drinking too much water in a short amount of time (several liters in small space of time) because you can have water intoxication (its rare but deadly).
If your blood sugars are very elevated (>240 mg/dL ) and you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
o Fruity-smelling breath
o Dry Mouth
o Stomach pain
o Nausea and vomiting
o Shortness of breath
o Confusion
o Loss of consciousness
CALL THE DOCTOR or go to the ER immediately for help. You are at risk for Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) which is a sign that there is a buildup of toxic acid, known as ketones. DKA is a serious condition that may lead to coma or death. It may be helpful to have ketone strips on hand so you can test at home if needed. These can be purchased from any drug store.
The best way to avoid high blood sugars is to prevent them. If your blood sugars soar to the 300s, it’s best to remember what you ate, and try to avoid that in the future. Eating a well-balanced meal (following the plate method), drinking enough water, and exercising is the best way to avoid high blood sugars.
On that note, if you celebrate Thanksgiving, have a happy, healthy holiday and for those who don’t, have a happy, healthy week!