Blood sugar can spike unexpectedly, and if not managed in time, it can lead to a coma or even death. If you’re caring for someone with diabetes, it’s important to be ready for these kinds of emergencies. To help you stay prepared and avoid any serious complications, here are some simple tips on how to lower blood sugar levels in an emergency.
Table of Contents
ToggleWhat are The Symptoms of High Blood Sugar in The Elderly?
Having enough knowledge about what high blood sugar levels might look like is important so you know when your loved one needs immediate medical assistance.
- Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination: Seniors may feel excessively thirsty and need to urinate more often as the body tries to eliminate excess sugar through urine.
- Fatigue and Weakness: Feeling unusually tired is a common symptom, as the body struggles to use glucose for energy.
- Blurred Vision: High blood sugar can cause the lenses of the eyes to swell, leading to blurry vision.
- Dry Mouth and Skin: Dehydration due to frequent urination may result in a dry mouth and dry, itchy skin.
- Headaches and Difficulty Concentrating: Increased blood sugar can affect brain function, leading to headaches and difficulty focusing.
Danger High Blood Sugar Level Puts Your Loved In:
Dangerously high blood sugar levels can be especially harmful to seniors, leading to several serious complications. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): This happens when the body starts using fat for energy because it can’t use glucose. This leads to a dangerous buildup of acids (ketones), which can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
- Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS): With blood sugar levels over 600 mg/dL, seniors can become severely dehydrated, confused, and in some cases, may fall into a coma.
- Heart Problems: High blood sugar puts extra stress on the heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Kidney and Nerve Damage: Prolonged high blood sugar can damage the kidneys and nerves, leading to long-term issues with mobility and overall health.
You need to monitor their blood sugar regularly and get help right away if their levels are too high.
How to Lower Blood Sugar Level in an Emergency?
Follow these steps to avoid any unfortunate situation;
1. Drink Water Immediately:
One of the fastest and safest ways to lower blood sugar is to drink water or unsweetened drinks. Water helps flush excess glucose from the bloodstream through urine. Make sure your loved one drinks a few glasses of water when their blood sugar is high.
Avoid sugary drinks like soda or juice since they can make the situation worse by raising their blood sugar even more. Keeping them hydrated regularly also helps prevent these spikes in the future. It’s a simple, everyday habit that can make a big difference in managing their blood sugar.
Discuss with your doctor how much water you can have when you have a sugar spike
2. Engage Them in Physical Activity:
Physical exercise can be a quick method to reduce blood sugar. During exercise, muscles use glucose for energy, naturally lowering blood sugar levels. Even 10 to 15 minutes of light exercise, such as walking, can make a noticeable difference.
However, you should check for ketones in the urine if their blood sugar is above 240 mg/dL before exercising. Increased levels of ketones mean the body is in a state of ketoacidosis, and exercising could worsen your condition.
3. Remind Them to Take Missed Medication:
In case, the person you are caring for or your loved one missed a dose of their diabetes medication, remind them to take it as soon as possible.
However, do not double up on the next dose, as this can lead to low blood sugar. Keep a daily pill sorter to avoid missing doses, and consult healthcare provider if you are unsure about taking extra medication.
4. Give Insulin (If Prescribed)
Give them insulin as administering a correction dose as per your doctor’s guidelines is the most effective way to bring down high blood sugar. Fast-acting insulin works within 15 to 30 minutes. However, do not try to self-administer insulin if you’re unsure of the correct dose, as too much dose can lead to dangerously low blood sugar.
Contact to a Doctor when you see;
- Their blood sugar levels are consistently high.
- They are frequently urinating.
- A home urine test shows high levels of sugar.
- They’re experiencing constant thirst.
The doctor may recommend an appointment to discuss how to better manage their diabetes through treatment or lifestyle adjustments.
Head to the ER When You Notice;
- Their blood sugar remains dangerously high, especially with elevated ketones.
- They have symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS).
- You see blood sugar readings of 300 mg/dL or more, twice or more.
- Their blood sugar is above 180 mg/dL for over a week and isn’t coming down.
In these situations, immediate medical attention is necessary to prevent serious complications.
Find Out More:
If managing the diabetes care of your loved one feels overwhelming, we’re here to help. Our dedicated team can provide the support and assistance needed to ensure they receive the best care possible. Reach out to us to learn how we can help!
Key Takeaways:
Handling a high blood sugar emergency requires quick thinking and an understanding what caused the spike. If you’re caring for someone, or it’s your loved one, try to figure out if it was due to stress, a dietary issue, or their last meal containing too many sugar-raising nutrients. Identifying this helps not only in the moment but also prevents future spikes. Once you know the reason, follow the steps we discussed—like drinking water, administering insulin if necessary, or engaging in light exercise. Being prepared helps you manage emergencies more smoothly.
FAQ’s
1. Will my blood sugar go down if I drink water?
Drinking water and staying hydrated helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar, reducing blood sugar levels.
2. What are the challenges of diabetes in the elderly?
Elderly individuals with diabetes often face challenges such as increased risk of hypoglycemia, cognitive decline, and mobility issues. Additionally, managing multiple medications for various health conditions can complicate diabetes care
3. What is an alarming blood sugar level?
A blood sugar level above 300 mg/dL is alarming and requires immediate action, as it can lead to dangerous complications like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
4. How Are Dangerous Blood Sugar Levels Defined?
Dangerous levels include anything below 70 mg/dL (hypoglycemia) and above 300 mg/dL (hyperglycemia). Both extremes can lead to severe complications.
5. Does sleep affect blood sugar?
Yes, many studies have shown that poor sleep or excessive or insufficient sleep can lead to higher blood sugar and insulin resistance. So, people who are prediabetics, and diabetic put themselves at risk if their sleep pattern is irregular.
6. Is there such a thing as silent diabetes?
Yes, “silent diabetes” refers to undiagnosed diabetes, particularly type 2, where symptoms may develop slowly and can often be mild or unnoticed. This means many people can have high blood sugar levels for a long time without realizing it. Silent diabetes can still cause damage to the body, leading to complications like nerve damage or heart disease before a diagnosis is made.
7. What are 5 signs your blood sugar is too high?
- Frequent urination: High blood sugar levels cause the kidneys to work harder to filter out excess glucose, leading to more trips to the bathroom.
- Increased thirst: The loss of fluids from frequent urination can make you feel constantly thirsty.
- Fatigue: When your body can’t properly use glucose for energy, you feel tired even with enough rest.
- Blurred vision: High glucose levels can cause the lens of your eye to swell, affecting your vision.
- Slow healing wounds: Elevated blood sugar can impair circulation and the body’s ability to heal, causing cuts or sores to heal more slowly than normal.
Fakiha is an experienced writer at ConsidraCare with an optimistic interest in life. She has a proactive approach to improving health and wellness for seniors. She offers well-researched and thoughtful information to help individuals make informed healthcare decisions for themselves and their loved ones.