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High blood sugar can cause nerve damage, called diabetic neuropathy.
Vinegar, protein-rich snacks and other such food items are effective in lowering blood sugar levels.
Blood sugar is the primary source of energy in the human body. Also known as blood glucose, blood sugar comes from the food consumed by humans. Upon entering the digestion process, it breaks down into glucose and releases in the bloodstream in the form of ATP. However, excess or deficiency of the blood sugar in the bloodstream results in high blood sugar levels or low blood sugar levels. They are known as hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Both of these are quite concerning for the health of the person.
The change in blood sugar levels can be caused by various factors- extreme stress, dehydration, overeating of sugar or drinking caffeine, lack of sleep, being physically inactive, or missing medications prescribed by the doctor.
According to a report in Healthline, there are multiple complications of high blood sugar like nerve damage, called diabetic neuropathy, which affects sensations in the feet and hands, damage to the blood vessels in the eyes, called diabetic retinopathy that affects vision, and increased risks of kidney and heart problems.
According to a report published in Cleveland Clinic, low blood sugar can lead to serious complications like loss of consciousness, seizures, coma, death, permanent brain damage, multiple organ failure, cardiac arrest, headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, tingling lips, and many others.
Hence, it is clear that routine checkups with a physician and taking proper medication are immensely important if you notice any alterations in your blood sugar levels. But what if there is fluctuation in blood sugar levels? Here, we have discussed the quickest ways to lower blood sugar levels in such emergency situations-
- Intake fast-acting insulinDuring extreme emergency situations, these injections should be taken immediately after or before a meal. As per a report in NHS, some examples of fast-acting insulins are Insulin aspart (Fiasp, NovoRapid, Trurapi), Insulin glulisine (Apidra) and Insulin lispro (Admelog, Humalog, Lyumjev). But taking guidance from a doctor is highly recommended.
- Increase the dose of InsulinUpon consulting your physician, you can alter the dose of insulin if the blood sugar levels persistently stay high. Multiple medical reports suggest that if the right amount of medications is not provided to the body according to the changing blood sugar levels, it may result in zero efficiency.
- Drink water or eat a protein snackAccording to Healthline, if you are having shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, or dry mouth and feeling thirsty more than ever, then you can drink water or eat a high-protein snack. This can quickly lower blood sugar levels by providing energy deficiency in the body.
- Take a quick walk and exerciseLack of physical activity administers the blood sugar levels in the body. Hence, taking a quick walk or exercising for a couple of minutes can lower blood sugar by 24 hours or more, according to Healthline. Physical activity will help the body to demand more glucose for energy. And the cells will deliver more intake or restored glucose to the muscles which will lower the blood sugar levels.
- Drink ORS or consume sweets Our muscles use glucose for energy, so if you experience a drop in the blood sugar levels, you should provide that same amount of glucose to the body. Drinking ORS, a mixture of glucose, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium citrate that is dissolved in water can help in a slight rise of blood sugar levels. You can also eat something sweet, eat vegetables rich in magnesium, and even add vinegar to your diet for effective results.