JAKARTA – A rapid increase in blood sugar levels requires prompt attention to prevent the development of more serious health issues, particularly for individuals with diabetes. When blood sugar spikes, a condition known as hyperglycemia, the risk of health complications increases if left unaddressed.
While anyone can experience hyperglycemia, it poses a significant threat to those with diabetes, potentially leading to dangerous complications over time. Understanding how to quickly stabilize blood sugar is therefore crucial for patients managing this condition. This is especially important as diabetes rates continue to rise globally, impacting millions and straining healthcare systems.
Endocrinologist Beatrice Hong explained that, in the short term, severely high blood sugar can escalate into emergency conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome. Both require immediate medical intervention.
Over the long term, consistently elevated blood sugar can damage various organs. Diabetes is known as a systemic disease with the potential to cause problems with the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and feet.
So, what steps can be taken to quickly and safely lower blood sugar levels?
1. Ensure Insulin is Taken as Prescribed
For individuals with diabetes who apply insulin therapy, the first step is to confirm that doses are not missed and that devices like insulin pumps are functioning correctly. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps move glucose from the bloodstream into cells for energy.
Administering insulin as directed by a healthcare provider can assist lower blood sugar more rapidly. However, it’s important to remember that insulin stored in excessively warm temperatures can lose its effectiveness, so proper storage is essential.
2. Take Diabetes Medication on Schedule
Diabetes medications are generally intended for regular use. Missing a dose can cause blood sugar levels to rise. Once the medication is taken, blood sugar typically decreases, although the process isn’t as quick as with insulin.
Some medications, like metformin, take longer to work. It’s not recommended to take the medication only when blood sugar is high, but rather to follow the prescribed schedule and instructions from a doctor.
3. Increase Water Intake
Endocrinologist Lorena Wright recommends that people with diabetes drink more water than sugary drinks or fruit juice.
When blood sugar levels increase, the kidneys attempt to eliminate excess glucose through urine. This process causes the body to lose fluids and can lead to dehydration. Drinking water helps the body flush out excess sugar and also helps lower glucose concentration in the blood.
4. Engage in Light Physical Activity
If physically able and not experiencing severe symptoms like nausea or vomiting, light physical activity can also help lower blood sugar.
According to Hong, a moderate-intensity walk for approximately 20 minutes after a meal can lower blood sugar levels by 20–30 percent. When muscles are active, they use glucose as an energy source, reducing the amount of sugar in the bloodstream.
However, exercise should be avoided if symptoms of ketoacidosis, such as severe nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, appear, as these conditions require medical attention.
In addition to monitoring blood sugar with a glucose meter, the body often provides signals when levels are elevated. Common symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, dizziness, tingling in the hands, fatigue, blurred vision, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Lowering blood sugar during a spike is important, but prevention remains key. A balanced diet, consistent medication adherence, regular physical activity, and routine blood sugar monitoring can help prevent diabetes complications in the future.
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