Steps for Dealing With High Blood Sugar
Blood sugar levels from 200 mg/dL to 350 mg/dL
Follow these steps if you have
diabetes and your blood sugar is 200 milligrams per
deciliter (mg/dL) to 350 mg/dL.
- If you have missed your usual dose of
insulin or pills for
type 2 diabetes, take the missed dose.
- If
you and your doctor have decided on a dose of fast-acting insulin based on your
blood sugar level (sliding scale), give yourself the appropriate dose. If you
take insulin and you and your doctor have not decided on a dose of fast-acting
insulin based on your blood sugar level (sliding scale), call your doctor for
advice.
- Drink extra liquids to replace the fluids lost through your
urine. Water and sugar-free drinks are best. Avoid caffeinated drinks and
alcohol. Also avoid regular soda pop, fruit juice, and other liquids that
contain a lot of sugar.
- Test your urine for
ketones if your doctor has advised you to do so. If
the results of your ketone test show that you have a moderate to large amount
of ketones in your urine, call your doctor for advice.
- Wait 30
minutes after taking extra insulin or your missed
medicine.
- Check your blood sugar again.
- If your
symptoms of high blood sugar become more noticeable or your blood sugar level
continues to rise, call your doctor.
Blood sugar levels over 350 mg/dL
Follow these steps if your blood sugar is moderately high
(over 350 mg/dL).
- If you have missed your usual dose of pills for
type 2 diabetes or insulin, take the missed dose.
- If you and your
doctor have decided on a dose of fast-acting insulin based on your blood sugar
level (sliding scale), give yourself the appropriate dose. If you take insulin
and you and your doctor have not decided on a dose of fast-acting insulin based
on your blood sugar level (sliding scale), call your doctor for
advice.
- Drink extra liquids to replace the fluids lost through your
urine. Water and sugar-free drinks are best. Avoid caffeinated drinks and
alcohol. Also avoid regular soda pop, fruit juice, and other liquids that
contain a lot of sugar.
- Test your urine for ketones if your doctor
has advised you to do so. If you have a moderate to large amount of ketones in
your urine, call your doctor for advice.
- Wait 30 minutes after
taking extra insulin or your missed medicine.
- Check your blood
sugar again.
- If you start to feel drowsy or disoriented or your
blood sugar continues to rise, call
911 or other emergency services immediately. It's best to have someone with you if your blood
sugar is this elevated so that the person can call for you.
Blood sugar levels over 600 mg/dL
Follow these steps if your blood sugar is extremely high
(over 600 mg/dL):
- Check your blood sugar.
- If your
meter reads high, test the accuracy of your meter, and then recheck your blood
sugar.
- If your meter reads high again, call your doctor immediately.
- If you start to feel drowsy or disoriented or if your
blood sugar continues to rise, call
911 or other emergency services immediately. It's best to have someone with you if your blood
sugar is this high. Then that person can call for you.
What to do after a high blood sugar episode
After your blood sugar level has returned to your
target range, continue to take your medicine as prescribed by your
doctor, check your blood sugar levels often, and report the high blood sugar
episode to your doctor.
Drink extra liquids to replace the fluids
lost through your urine. Water and sugar-free drinks are best. Avoid
caffeinated drinks and alcohol. Also avoid regular soda pop, fruit juice, and
other liquids that contain a lot of sugar.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Jennifer Hone, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism |
| Last Revised | July 1, 2011 |