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FAQ Home Blood sugar levels can fluctuate for many reasons. Some people can feel a blood sugar spike when it happens. It typically occurs within an hour or two of eating. Symptoms of a blood sugar spike vary from person to person and may include:.
Sometimes, blood sugar spike symptoms are subtle and go unnoticed, but you feel it when the spike resolves and your blood sugar drops.
This can cause low blood sugar symptoms such as:. Learning to recognize your individual blood sugar spike symptoms can help minimize any damage to your body and keep your blood sugar in control. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, the best way to identify patterns is to test your blood glucose when you experience these symptoms.
If you do not have diabetes and have signs of high blood sugar, talk to your healthcare provider about being evaluated for diabetes. If your blood sugar levels remain high for too long, glucose will remain trapped in your bloodstream, leaving your cells starved for energy.
When there is not enough of your body's preferred energy source of glucose to be used for energy, your cells begin to use fat for fuel.
When your cells use fat for fuel instead of glucose, it creates a byproduct called ketones. In people with diabetes who don't make any insulin or whose insulin isn't working properly, ketone levels can rapidly rise to dangerous levels. When ketone levels get too high in people with diabetes, the blood can become overly acidic, and they can develop diabetic ketoacidosis DKA.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is different from ketosis, the state aimed for by people following the ketogenic diet. DKA is a medical emergency and can result in diabetic coma or death. Call or seek medical attention immediately if you experience any signs or symptoms of DKA, such as:.
As your body goes between fed and unfed states throughout the day, your blood sugar levels will naturally fluctuate up and down. In someone without diabetes, blood sugar levels are regulated by insulin and stored glycogen to stay within normal ranges. If you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk of having a blood sugar spike than people without diabetes.
Eating foods high in simple carbohydrates, like desserts, sugar-sweetened beverages, and refined-grain pasta and bread, is the main cause of blood sugar spikes.
However, there are additional causes for high blood sugar levels, such as:. Early morning blood sugar spikes, which result in high fasting blood sugar, can be caused by:.
Self-management of blood sugar levels is a key component of diabetes care. Being able to identify high and low blood sugar levels and knowing how to treat them is critical if you have diabetes.
Below are some tips on how you can properly manage your blood sugar levels. Water makes up most of the body and plays a role in many different body functions.
From digestion and absorption of nutrients to lubricating joints and maintaining your body temperature, water is vital to life.
In people with diabetes, dehydration can cause blood sugar levels to become more concentrated, spiking blood sugar levels. Drinking water throughout the day will provide you with most of your daily fluid needs.
Water from foods, such as fruits and vegetables, also adds to your daily water intake. Opt for water over sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soft drinks, flavored coffee beverages, juice, sports drinks, sweet tea, and others.
Follow these tips for drinking more water:. When you eat can be just as important as what you eat when managing blood sugar levels. Being consistent with meal timing can help prevent blood sugar swings.
Have a regular eating schedule where you eat the same amount of meals and snacks around the same time each day. This might look like three regular meals with two to three snacks in between, or it might be five to six smaller meals throughout the day.
Choose what works best for you and stick with it. Circulating stress hormones can raise blood sugar levels , so learning techniques to help you relax and de-stress may help reduce blood sugar levels.
What is relaxing for one person may make someone else more stressed. Explore different techniques and methods to help manage your stress. Find what works for you. Getting enough quality sleep each night can help reduce stress hormones and reduce the risk of obesity.
Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night along with regular sleep and wake times which will help to regulate your circadian rhythm. Consider these additional tips for getting better sleep:.
Physical activity can increase insulin sensitivity, helping it work better to decrease blood sugar levels. Aim for minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Try to fit in 15 to 20 minutes of exercise each day, or break it up into 10 minutes three times a day.
Move your body in ways you enjoy, choosing activities that you like and can stick to. Medication can help you manage your diabetes and keep your blood sugar levels from spiking.
There are two main types of diabetes medications: oral pills and injectable. What medication you take will depend on various factors, such as the type of diabetes you have, your personal health history, current diabetes management, and other medications you may also be taking.
Try not to skip any doses of your medication and never stop taking it without consulting your doctor first. There are additional ways to prevent blood sugar spikes. The occasional blood sugar spike should not cause any issues in the short term.
However, frequent blood sugar spikes are associated with diabetic complications. High blood sugars can cause damage to both large macrovascular and small microvascular blood vessels.
This can lead to:. Even people without known diabetes or prediabetes can experience blood sugar spikes. Over time, this may lead to a diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes along with complications. It is normal and natural for blood sugar levels to fluctuate throughout the day.
However, blood sugar spikes are higher than normal rises and can lead to complications over time. Knowing your individual symptoms of high blood sugar levels and regularly monitoring your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes can help you identify blood sugar spikes.
Managing your diabetes at home is a critical part of preventing blood sugar spikes. Also, work with your healthcare team to create a diabetes treatment plan that works for you.
A blood sugar spike is a sharp, quick rise in blood sugar levels, followed by a similar decline. There is no consensus on the exact blood sugar level that is considered a spike, as it will vary depending on the individual. However, any reading that is noticeably above your usual blood sugar level range would be considered a spike for you.
The length of blood sugar spikes can vary greatly from person to person and even meal to meal. In general, blood sugar spikes tend to occur within one to two hours after beginning a meal, depending on what you ate, and can last anywhere from several minutes to several hours. While the main cause of blood sugar spikes tends to be carbohydrates you have consumed, there are other non-food factors that can cause high blood glucose levels.
These include not taking enough medication oral or injectable , needing changes to your medication dosage, illness, infection, having an injury or recent surgery, stress, taking certain medications, such as steroids, dehydration, the Somogyi effect, and the dawn phenomenon.
The first step in managing high morning blood sugar levels is determining the cause.
Blood sugar spikes occur when glucose, a simple sugar, Sygar up in epike bloodstream. Triggerx of the Blood sugar spike triggers you eat is broken down into glucose. Insulin, a hormone Fatigue and chronic pain by your pancreas, unlocks cells so glucose can enter them. Without insulin, that glucose keeps floating around in your bloodstream with nowhere to go. It can become increasingly more concentrated over time. When glucose builds up in your bloodstream, your blood glucose blood sugar levels rise. Over time, this can cause damage to organs, nerves, and blood vessels.Blood sugar spikes occur when glucose, a triggdrs sugar, builds up in Blood sugar spike triggers bloodstream. Most of the food you eat is broken down into glucose. Insulin, a hormone produced by your Blood sugar spike triggers, unlocks cells so trigers can enter them.
Without insulin, that glucose keeps floating around spikd your bloodstream with sjgar to go. It shgar become splke more concentrated over time.
When glucose triggees up Paleo diet desserts sugarr bloodstream, your blood glucose blood sugar levels rise. Over spioe, this trigges cause damage to organs, nerves, and blood vessels. Blood sugar spikes Paleo diet desserts in people with diabetes because their bodies are unable to use insulin effectively.
Learning to recognize the symptoms Bolod hyperglycemia high blood sugar can help you successfully manage your diabetes. Some spuke with diabetes immediately feel the Paleo diet desserts of high blood sugar. A blood sugar triggefs happens when glucose triggrrs up tdiggers the bloodstream Subar your blood sugar levels increase.
This may happen after eating. Early sugsr and Natural remedies for diabetes can help prevent more severe symptoms.
If you Blood sugar spike triggers that you have high blood sugar, you can spiek a finger stick trigfers check your triggerd. You can also use Paleo diet desserts insulin Fiber optic network installation, but be careful to only use this method shgar closely following the recommendation of a doctor regarding your dose.
If used improperly, insulin can cause Whole body detoxification low blood sugar. If high blood sugar levels go untreated for too long, glucose will build up in your bloodstream and your cells will be starved for Bllod. Your cells will use fat spikf fuel instead.
Triggefs your cells Energy balance and healthy living fat spije of glucose, Blood sugar spike triggers, the process produces a byproduct called ketones :. DKA is a medical emergency that requires immediate rtiggers. Call or seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of triggerw following signs and symptoms:.
The best way to manage high blood sugar is to check your blood sugar and take your medication as instructed. If you frequently experience trigvers sugar spikes, your doctor may change your medication routine.
You can also lower your triggres sugar by exercising. If you Triggdrs have ketones, do Sugar cravings cycle exercise.
In sguar case, exercising may make your Gut health and pregnancy sugar spikr go even higher. If Blood sugar spike triggers think you spile have Paleo diet desserts, you can test your urine for ketones using a test kit.
If ketones are Bloid, call a doctor and seek emergency medical attention immediately. Blood sugar levels trifgers all hriggers long. When you eat food, particularly foods high in carbohydrates like bread, potatoes, or pasta, your blood sugar will immediately begin to rise.
If your blood sugar is consistently high, you need to talk with a doctor about improving your diabetes management. Blood sugar rises when:. Try keeping a record of all the food and drinks you consume. There are many ways to prevent blood sugar spikes. Consider adding the following to your diabetes management plan:.
Long-term diabetes complications typically result from having elevated blood sugar levels over a long period of time.
Diabetes complications may develop slowly over the course of many years before symptoms appear. Chronic high blood sugar increases the likelihood of serious diabetes complications like heart disease, blindness, neuropathy, and kidney failure. Untreated high blood sugar could also develop into ketoacidosis.
This is an emergency condition that could lead to diabetic coma or death. When blood sugar levels remain high for a long period of time, your major organs and body systems may be affected. A cataract is a thickening and clouding of the lens of the eye that can make your vision blurry and impair night vision.
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the retina from abnormal growth of small blood vessels, which are believed to be related to untreated high blood sugar levels over a long period of time. Symptoms might not appear at first but can eventually lead to blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy can increase your risk of glaucoma. In this disease, pressure builds up in the eye, decreasing blood flow and causing damage to the retina and optic nerve. It happens when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the kidneys.
You may not have symptoms in the early stages of kidney disease, but it can eventually progress to kidney failure. Diabetic neuropathyor nerve damage, is a serious complication of diabetes. There are four main types of neuropathy that affect people with diabetes:.
Over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves in your heart. People with diabetes also have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke. Untreated high blood sugar can also block blood vessels.
This can lead to infections and foot ulcers. In serious cases, it can lead to amputation of a toe, foot, or lower leg. People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing gum diseasealso called periodontal disease.
High blood sugar levels can lead to an increased amount of sugar in the mouth, affecting overall oral health. People with diabetes are more likely to produce more plaque, have less saliva, and have poorer circulation in the gums. Untreated high blood sugar can be dangerous.
It can lead to a life threatening condition called ketoacidosis. It can also increase the likelihood of developing serious complications like heart disease, blindness, neuropathy, and kidney failure. Following your medication routine, regularly testing your blood sugar, and maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise routine can help you manage blood sugar spikes and reduce the risk of complications in the future.
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A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. How to Recognize and Manage a Blood Sugar Spike. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. What is high blood sugar?
Symptoms Blood sugar spike Ketoacidosis High blood sugar management Causes Prevention Complications Takeaway. Symptoms of high blood sugar. What is a blood sugar spike? Ketoacidosis and ketosis. How to manage a blood sugar spike. Blood sugar spike causes. Long-term side effects.
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: Blood sugar spike triggers| Blood Sugar & Stress - Diabetes Education Online | Sugar is effectively empty calories. It causes an immediate blood sugar spike and high intake is associated with insulin resistance. At present, two out of three adults in the US are considered to be overweight or obese Being overweight or obese can make it more difficult for your body to use insulin and control blood sugar levels. This can lead to blood sugar spikes and a corresponding higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Weight loss , on the other hand, has been shown to improve blood sugar control. In one study, 35 obese people lost an average of Being overweight makes it difficult for your body to control blood sugar levels. Even losing a little weight can improve your blood sugar control. Exercise helps control blood sugar spikes by increasing the sensitivity of your cells to the hormone insulin. Exercise also causes muscle cells to absorb sugar from the blood, helping to lower blood sugar levels Both high-intensity and moderate-intensity exercise have been found to reduce blood sugar spikes. One study found similar improvements in blood sugar control in 27 adults who carried out either medium- or high-intensity exercise One study found exercise performed before breakfast controlled blood sugar more effectively than exercise done after breakfast Increasing exercise also has the added benefit of helping with weight loss, a double whammy to combat blood sugar spikes. It dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance that helps slow the absorption of carbs in the gut. This results in a steady rise and fall in blood sugar, rather than a spike 24 , Fiber can also make you feel full, reducing your appetite and food intake Fiber can slow the absorption of carbs and the release of sugar into the blood. It can also reduce appetite and food intake. When you are dehydrated, your body produces a hormone called vasopressin. This encourages your kidneys to retain fluid and stop the body from flushing out excess sugar in your urine. It also prompts your liver to release more sugar into the blood 27 , 28 , A long-term study on 4, people in Sweden found that, over How much water you should drink is often up for discussion. Essentially, it depends on the individual. Stick to water rather than sugary juice or sodas, since the sugar content will lead to blood sugar spikes. Dehydration negatively affects blood sugar control. Over time, it can lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Vinegar, particularly apple cider vinegar , has been found to have many health benefits. It has been linked to weight loss, cholesterol reduction, antibacterial properties and blood sugar control 31 , 32 , Several studies show that consuming vinegar can increase insulin response and reduce blood sugar spikes 31 , 34 , 35 , 36 , One study found vinegar significantly reduced blood sugar in participants who had just consumed a meal containing 50 grams of carbs. The study also found that the stronger the vinegar, the lower the blood sugar Another study looked into the effect of vinegar on blood sugar after participants consumed carbs. The addition of vinegar can also lower the glycemic index of a food, which can help reduce blood sugar spikes. A study in Japan found that adding pickled foods to rice decreased the glycemic index of the meal significantly Vinegar has been shown to increase insulin response and help control blood sugar when taken with carbs. It is thought to enhance the action of insulin. This could help control blood sugar spikes by encouraging the cells to absorb sugar from the blood. In one small study, 13 healthy men were given 75 grams of white bread with or without chromium added. Recommended dietary intakes for chromium can be found here. Rich food sources include broccoli, egg yolks, shellfish, tomatoes and Brazil nuts. Magnesium is another mineral that has been linked to blood sugar control. In one study of 48 people, half were given a mg magnesium supplement along with lifestyle advice, while the other half were just given lifestyle advice. Insulin sensitivity increased in the group given magnesium supplements Another study investigated the combined effects of supplementing with chromium and magnesium on blood sugar. They found that a combination of the two increased insulin sensitivity more than either supplement alone Recommended dietary intakes for magnesium can be found here. Rich food sources include spinach, almonds, avocados, cashews and peanuts. Chromium and magnesium may help increase insulin sensitivity. Evidence shows they may be more effective together. Cinnamon and fenugreek have been used in alternative medicine for thousands of years. They have both been linked to blood sugar control. The scientific evidence for the use of cinnamon in blood sugar control is mixed. In healthy people, cinnamon has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar spikes following a carb-based meal 43 , 44 , 45 , It found that eating 6 grams of cinnamon with grams of rice pudding significantly reduced blood sugar spikes, compared to eating the pudding alone Body Type Quiz Find a Doctor - EverydayHealth Care Hydration Calculator Menopause Age Calculator Symptom Checker Weight Loss Calculator. See All. DailyOM Courses. About DailyOM Most Popular Courses New Releases Trending Courses See All. Type 2 Diabetes. Aleisha Fetters. Medically Reviewed. Kacy Church, MD. Unexpectedly high blood sugar readings can be a bummer. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Resources Type 2 Diabetes: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. March 14, Mathur K et al. Effect of Artificial Sweeteners on Insulin Resistance Among Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. January Johnson RK et al. Low-Calorie Sweetened Beverages and Cardiometabolic Health: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association. August 28, von Frankenberg AD et al. A High-Fat, High-Saturated Fat Diet Decreases Insulin Sensitivity Without Changing Intra-Abdominal Fat in Weight-Stable Overweight and Obese Adults. European Journal of Nutrition. February American Heart Association. Top 10 Things You Need to Know About the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, — Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Jakubowicz D et al. Fasting Until Noon Triggers Increased Postprandial Hyperglycemia and Impaired Insulin Response After Lunch and Dinner in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Diabetes Care. October 1, Blood Sugar Levels Can Fluctuate for Many Reasons. June 7, MacDonald CS et al. Dose-Response Effects of Exercise on Glucose-Lowering Medications for Type 2 Diabetes: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. March Mikus CR et al. Lowering Physical Activity Impairs Glycemic Control in Healthy Volunteers. In people who have diabetes, glucose tends to build up in the bloodstream. This condition is called hyperglycemia. It may reach dangerously high levels if it is not treated properly. Insulin and other drugs are used to lower blood sugar levels. Illness or stress can trigger hyperglycemia. That's because hormones your body makes to fight illness or stress can also cause blood sugar to rise. You may need to take extra diabetes medication to keep blood glucose in your target range during illness or stress. Keeping blood sugar in a healthy range can help prevent many diabetes-related complications. Long-term complications of hyperglycemia that isn't treated include:. If blood sugar rises very high or if high blood sugar levels are not treated, it can lead to two serious conditions. Diabetic ketoacidosis. This condition develops when you don't have enough insulin in your body. When this happens, glucose can't enter your cells for energy. Your blood sugar level rises, and your body begins to break down fat for energy. When fat is broken down for energy in the body, it produces toxic acids called ketones. Ketones accumulate in the blood and eventually spill into the urine. If it isn't treated, diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to a diabetic coma that can be life-threatening. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state. This condition occurs when the body makes insulin, but the insulin doesn't work properly. If you develop this condition, your body can't use either glucose or fat for energy. Glucose then goes into the urine, causing increased urination. If it isn't treated, diabetic hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state can lead to life-threatening dehydration and coma. It's very important to get medical care for it right away. On this page. When to see a doctor. Risk factors. A Book: The Essential Diabetes Book. Early signs and symptoms Recognizing early symptoms of hyperglycemia can help identify and treat it right away. Watch for: Frequent urination Increased thirst Blurred vision Feeling weak or unusually tired. Later signs and symptoms If hyperglycemia isn't treated, it can cause toxic acids, called ketones, to build up in the blood and urine. Symptoms include: Fruity-smelling breath Dry mouth Abdominal pain Nausea and vomiting Shortness of breath Confusion Loss of consciousness. Request an appointment. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. 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Many factors can contribute to hyperglycemia, including: Not using enough insulin or other diabetes medication Not injecting insulin properly or using expired insulin Not following your diabetes eating plan Being inactive Having an illness or infection Using certain medications, such as steroids or immunosuppressants Being injured or having surgery Experiencing emotional stress, such as family problems or workplace issues Illness or stress can trigger hyperglycemia. Long-term complications Keeping blood sugar in a healthy range can help prevent many diabetes-related complications. Long-term complications of hyperglycemia that isn't treated include: Cardiovascular disease Nerve damage neuropathy Kidney damage diabetic nephropathy or kidney failure Damage to the blood vessels of the retina diabetic retinopathy that could lead to blindness Feet problems caused by damaged nerves or poor blood flow that can lead to serious skin infections, ulcerations and, in some severe cases, amputation Bone and joint problems Teeth and gum infections. Emergency complications If blood sugar rises very high or if high blood sugar levels are not treated, it can lead to two serious conditions. To help keep your blood sugar within a healthy range: Follow your diabetes meal plan. If you take insulin or oral diabetes medication, be consistent about the amount and timing of your meals and snacks. The food you eat must be in balance with the insulin working in your body. Monitor your blood sugar. |
| What to know about blood sugar spikes in diabetes | Adjust your medication if you change your physical activity. The adjustment depends on blood sugar test results and on the type and length of the activity. If you have questions about this, talk to your health care provider. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Aug 20, Show References. Hyperglycemia high blood glucose. American Diabetes Association. Accessed July 6, What is diabetes? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Wexler DJ. Management of persistent hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hirsch IB, et al. Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults: Clinical features, evaluation, and diagnosis. Managing diabetes. Inzucchi SE, et al. Glycemic control and vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Comprehensive medical evaluation and assessment of comorbidities: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes — Diabetes Care. The big picture: Checking your blood glucose. Castro MR expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 7, Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults: Treatment. Take care of your diabetes during sick days and special times. Accessed July 7, Classification and diagnosis of diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes — Retinopathy, neuropathy, and foot care: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes — Glycemic targets: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes — Associated Procedures. A1C test. Show the heart some love! Give Today. Help us advance cardiovascular medicine. Find a doctor. Explore careers. Sign up for free e-newsletters. About Mayo Clinic. About this Site. Contact Us. Health Information Policy. Media Requests. News Network. Price Transparency. Medical Professionals. Clinical Trials. If you inject your long-acting insulin early, it may not last into the morning. Say you miss dinner or take too much insulin after your evening meal. Your blood glucose may fall too low overnight. Your body makes more glucose in order to compensate, and you wake up with high blood glucose. If a pattern of frequent morning highs emerges during your routine glucose monitoring, check your blood glucose levels at bedtime, in the middle of the night and first thing when you wake up to develop a better understanding of your glucose patterns. Your readings will tell you and your doctor when your highs and lows occur and that, in turn, will help narrow the cause of the problem. If you have high blood glucose before you go to sleep, the elevated level can persist until morning. A large dinner or a snack at bedtime can cause elevated blood glucose levels that last all night, as can too low a dose of insulin with your evening meal. Adjusting your medication or what and when you eat may help. For example, if you are taking a long-acting insulin in the morning and it wears off before the next dose the following day, you would see morning high blood glucose. Changing the timing of your long-acting insulin injection, or switching to a twice-daily basal insulin or an ultra-long-acting insulin, might fix the problem. While a higher dose of insulin will bring your morning highs down to normal, it could cause too great a drop in your blood glucose after you first go to sleep, but before your blood glucose starts to rise in the early hours of the morning. Sometimes the only way to adequately address the dawn phenomenon is with an insulin pump, which you can program to automatically deliver more insulin in the early morning hours. Exercise can also help you manage your morning highs. If you have waning insulin, an after-dinner walk or other workout can help keep your blood glucose down overnight. In some cases, it is possible to moderate blood glucose levels through lifestyle adjustments. However, some people may require medications. This article looks at the triggers and complications of blood spikes and explains how to manage blood sugar levels. It also discusses blood sugar spikes in people without diabetes. Glucose comes from food. It is a simple sugar that serves as the main source of energy for the body. The pancreas secretes a hormone called insulin that makes cells more sensitive to glucose. The cells then draw glucose from the blood, reducing the effects of blood sugar spikes. In a person with diabetes , either the pancreas does not produce insulin or the cells develop a resistance to this hormone. As a result, the glucose remains in the blood, keeping blood sugar levels consistently high. This is called hyperglycemia. In people living with diabetes, blood sugar spikes often occur after eating. On average, this occurs 75 minutes after starting a meal. However, if a person is unable to manage their condition, they may have persistent high blood glucose levels. This can lead to complications of diabetes, including nerve damage, vision loss, kidney damage, kidney problems, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Learn more about hyperglycemia and diabetes. Typically, hyperglycemia does not cause symptoms until blood glucose reaches an excessive or consistently high level. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause hyperglycemia. The symptoms may appear suddenly in people with type 1 diabetes, but they tend to develop more slowly in those with type 2 diabetes. In cases of type 1 diabetes, as blood sugar levels continue to rise unchecked, ketones may start to build up in the blood and urine. Ketones are a type of acid that can accumulate in the blood when insulin levels are too low. High levels of ketones in the blood can be severe. They can cause the following symptoms:. Doctors should provide people with information about what to do after an unusually high blood sugar reading and when to seek help. People with any type of diabetes must regularly monitor and manage their blood glucose levels to prevent spikes. They may find the following strategies helpful:. Knowing when to call the doctor or seek emergency care is essential. Severe blood sugar spikes can lead to advanced health problems. Anyone experiencing hyperglycemia symptoms should immediately check their blood sugar levels. They should contact the doctor if the reading is above milligrams per deciliter within 2 hours of eating a meal. It may also help to record blood sugar levels in a journal and look for patterns, such as blood sugar spikes occurring every morning. If this happens, it might be time to check with the doctor about adjusting the dosage of insulin. If blood sugar levels are consistently high after meals, a doctor may advise a person to take insulin during meal times. A person should also be sure to bring this journal to medical appointments. The doctor can review the results and recommend any necessary adjustments to the management plan. In the early stages of type 2 diabetes , a person may be able to maintain stable blood sugar levels without needing medication. Regular exercise that is light to moderate in intensity uses up some of the excess blood glucose and brings down overall levels. Likewise, following a low glycemic index GI diet with strict portion sizes can help reduce the amount of glucose in the body and the accompanying risk of spikes. The GI ranking indicates the extent to which carbohydrates in a given food will affect blood sugar levels. Foods with a high GI, meaning a ranking of 70 or higher , include bagels, popcorn, and crackers. Low GI foods, which have a score of 55 or less, include barley, bulgur, corn, and sweet potatoes. |
| Blood Sugar & Stress | But researchers are also finding that unhealthy gums may actually increase blood sugar levels in the body, according to the American Dental Association ADA. Dodell also notes that gum disease can increase the risk of infections as well as inflammation throughout the body, both of which can increase blood sugar levels. The ADA recommends that people with type 2 diabetes take extra care of their gums. Brush twice per day, floss, and see your dentist regularly to have your gums checked. Make sure to let your dentist know you have diabetes. Additional reporting by Katie Kerns Geer. Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions. Health Conditions A-Z. 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Aleisha Fetters. Medically Reviewed. Kacy Church, MD. Unexpectedly high blood sugar readings can be a bummer. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Resources Type 2 Diabetes: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. March 14, Mathur K et al. Effect of Artificial Sweeteners on Insulin Resistance Among Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. January Johnson RK et al. Low-Calorie Sweetened Beverages and Cardiometabolic Health: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association. August 28, von Frankenberg AD et al. A High-Fat, High-Saturated Fat Diet Decreases Insulin Sensitivity Without Changing Intra-Abdominal Fat in Weight-Stable Overweight and Obese Adults. European Journal of Nutrition. February American Heart Association. Top 10 Things You Need to Know About the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, — Say you miss dinner or take too much insulin after your evening meal. Your blood glucose may fall too low overnight. Your body makes more glucose in order to compensate, and you wake up with high blood glucose. If a pattern of frequent morning highs emerges during your routine glucose monitoring, check your blood glucose levels at bedtime, in the middle of the night and first thing when you wake up to develop a better understanding of your glucose patterns. Your readings will tell you and your doctor when your highs and lows occur and that, in turn, will help narrow the cause of the problem. If you have high blood glucose before you go to sleep, the elevated level can persist until morning. A large dinner or a snack at bedtime can cause elevated blood glucose levels that last all night, as can too low a dose of insulin with your evening meal. Adjusting your medication or what and when you eat may help. For example, if you are taking a long-acting insulin in the morning and it wears off before the next dose the following day, you would see morning high blood glucose. Changing the timing of your long-acting insulin injection, or switching to a twice-daily basal insulin or an ultra-long-acting insulin, might fix the problem. While a higher dose of insulin will bring your morning highs down to normal, it could cause too great a drop in your blood glucose after you first go to sleep, but before your blood glucose starts to rise in the early hours of the morning. Sometimes the only way to adequately address the dawn phenomenon is with an insulin pump, which you can program to automatically deliver more insulin in the early morning hours. Exercise can also help you manage your morning highs. If you have waning insulin, an after-dinner walk or other workout can help keep your blood glucose down overnight. But use caution when exercising before bedtime. At the same time, growth hormone and cortisol levels rise, which causes body tissues muscle and fat to be less sensitive to insulin. As a result, more glucose is available in the blood stream. When you have type 2 diabetes, low blood sugars from too much medication or insulin are a common cause of stress. The hormonal response to a low blood sugar includes a rapid release of epinephrine and glucagon, followed by a slower release of cortisol and growth hormone. These hormonal responses to the low blood sugar may last for hours — during that time the blood sugar may be difficult to control. When you have type 2 diabetes, stress may make your blood sugar go up and become more difficult to control — and you may need to take higher doses of your diabetes medications or insulin. During times of stress, individuals with diabetes, may have more difficulty controlling their blood sugars. Self assessment quizzes are available for topics covered in this website. |
| 10 Surprising Things That Can Spike Your Blood Sugar | CDC | Triggeers may Paleo diet desserts or Electrolyte Homeostasis your choices by clicking below, including Blood sugar spike triggers right to object triggerz legitimate interest is used, or triggdrs any time in the privacy policy page. Blood pressure chart Blood pressure cuff: Does size matter? We avoid using tertiary references. Make an appointment. Morning highs can be baffling. Diabetes Diabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditions Diabetes and exercise: When to monitor your blood sugar Diabetes and heat 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications Diabetes diet: Should I avoid sweet fruits? |
| Blood Sugar Spikes: Symptoms and How to Manage Them | Your gift will help support our mission to end cancer and make a difference in the lives of our patients. Our personalized portal helps you refer your patients and communicate with their MD Anderson care team. As part of our mission to eliminate cancer, MD Anderson researchers conduct hundreds of clinical trials to test new treatments for both common and rare cancers. Choose from 12 allied health programs at School of Health Professions. Learn about our graduate medical education residency and fellowship opportunities. Your body works hard to keep the sugar in your blood at a safe level. Too much sugar in your blood makes it thick and syrupy, which is not good. Imagine how much extra work that is for your heart as it tries to pump goopy blood around your body. In the short term, a spike in your blood sugar will cause a sugar rush, followed by a sugar crash, with all the cravings and lethargy that go along with that. In the long term, repeated spikes in your blood sugar can cause heart problems, kidney problems, problems with eyesight, and nerve issues like neuropathy, where you lose feeling in fingers and toes. There are specific measures for fasting blood sugar. Your A1C level should be no more than 5. Complex carbohydrates help control blood sugar. But for some foods, this process takes longer, which gives your body more time to deal with the sugar. This is why brown rice, whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread are healthier for you. The extra fiber slows down digestion, helps you avoid a sugar spike and makes you feel full for longer. The refined white versions will strain your pancreas and likely make you want to eat more. The effect is a vicious cycle and in order to break it, diet modification and exercise is needed. Other simple swaps are switching from fruit juice to eating whole fruit or switching out sugary jelly for sugar-free peanut butter on your toast. Exercise helps your body regulate blood sugar. Last Reviewed: July 28, Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. home Diabetes Home. To receive updates about diabetes topics, enter your email address: Email Address. What's this. Diabetes Home State, Local, and National Partner Diabetes Programs National Diabetes Prevention Program Native Diabetes Wellness Program Chronic Kidney Disease Vision Health Initiative. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. This is an emergency condition that could lead to diabetic coma or death. When blood sugar levels remain high for a long period of time, your major organs and body systems may be affected. A cataract is a thickening and clouding of the lens of the eye that can make your vision blurry and impair night vision. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the retina from abnormal growth of small blood vessels, which are believed to be related to untreated high blood sugar levels over a long period of time. Symptoms might not appear at first but can eventually lead to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy can increase your risk of glaucoma. In this disease, pressure builds up in the eye, decreasing blood flow and causing damage to the retina and optic nerve. It happens when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. You may not have symptoms in the early stages of kidney disease, but it can eventually progress to kidney failure. Diabetic neuropathy , or nerve damage, is a serious complication of diabetes. There are four main types of neuropathy that affect people with diabetes:. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves in your heart. People with diabetes also have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke. Untreated high blood sugar can also block blood vessels. This can lead to infections and foot ulcers. In serious cases, it can lead to amputation of a toe, foot, or lower leg. People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing gum disease , also called periodontal disease. High blood sugar levels can lead to an increased amount of sugar in the mouth, affecting overall oral health. People with diabetes are more likely to produce more plaque, have less saliva, and have poorer circulation in the gums. Untreated high blood sugar can be dangerous. It can lead to a life threatening condition called ketoacidosis. It can also increase the likelihood of developing serious complications like heart disease, blindness, neuropathy, and kidney failure. Following your medication routine, regularly testing your blood sugar, and maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise routine can help you manage blood sugar spikes and reduce the risk of complications in the future. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. Has taking insulin led to weight gain for you? Learn why this happens, plus how you can manage your weight once you've started insulin treatment. When it comes to managing diabetes, adding the right superfoods to your diet is key. Try these simple, delicious recipes for breakfast, lunch, and…. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. |
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