It is very important to keep your blood sugar at a normal level, otherwise the person is at risk of hyperglycemia (high sugar) or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). In order to avoid health problems associated with the release of blood sugar levels within the normal range, everyone should know the causes of low and high blood sugar.
Causes of high blood sugar
1. Caffeine. An increase in blood sugar can be caused by drinking coffee – even black and non-caloric. The reason for everything – caffeine. Also, black, green tea and energy drinks can cause blood sugar spikes in diabetics. Ironically, other compounds found in coffee may prevent type 2 diabetes in healthy people.
2. Products that do not contain sugar. It would seem, why is this? Reason – carbohydrates. Before buying these foods, you need to pay attention to the total amount of carbohydrates, as well as the content of sorbitol and xylitol, which may contain enough carbohydrates to raise blood sugar levels.
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3. Fast food.Fat-rich foods can lead to prolonged high blood sugar levels. The list of such products includes pizza, french fries and other foods that contain a large amount of carbohydrates and fats. Therefore, a couple of hours after eating such products, it is advisable to check the level of sugar in the blood.
4. Colds. Blood sugar rises as the body fights the illness. At the same time, it is necessary to drink water and other liquids – this is a huge help to the body. However, be aware that some medications, such as antibiotics and decongestants, can also affect blood sugar levels.
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5. Stress. When you are under stress, your body releases hormones that can cause your blood sugar to rise. This is more common in people with type 2 diabetes than in people with type 1 diabetes. Learn to relax with proper breathing and exercise.
6. Sports drinks. These drinks help you quickly replenish the lack of fluid in the body, but some of them contain as much sugar as in sweet soda. Therefore, for short workouts, it is better to choose ordinary water, and for longer and more intense workouts, you can stock up on sports drinks, after consulting with a specialist about their safety for you personally.
7. Dried Fruits. Dried fruits are undeniably healthy, but they can also be high in carbohydrates.
8. Steroids and diuretics. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, can lead to high blood sugar levels and are triggers for diabetes in some people. Steroids are prescribed to treat rashes, arthritis, asthma, and other conditions. In diabetics, an increase in sugar may be due to diuretics. You should also be careful with antidepressants: they can both increase blood sugar and reduce it.
9. Cold medicines. Medicines that contain pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine can also cause high blood sugar. Also, sometimes sugar or alcohol is included in the composition of cold medicines. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will prescribe treatment in accordance with your contraindications.
10. Birth control pills. The estrogen in birth control pills can cause changes in insulin response. Doctors recommend taking pills with norelgestromat and synthetic estrogen.
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Causes of low blood sugar
1. Housework. For people with diabetes, housework or gardening – most importantly, as it helps lower blood sugar. Most housework is moderate physical activity that is good for health. You can also lower blood sugar through moderate-intensity exercise.
2. Yoghurt. Foods containing beneficial bacteria, such as yogurt, help improve digestion and control blood sugar levels. Please note that it is better not to take yoghurts with sugar and fruits.
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3. Vegetarian diet. People with type 2 diabetes who switched to a vegetarian diet were more successful in controlling their blood sugar than meat eaters. Whole grains and beans slow down the digestion of carbohydrates. However, be careful: abruptly changing the diet without consulting a doctor is dangerous for health.
4. Cinnamon. According to some studies, cinnamon increases the body's ability to “use” insulin, so it is recommended for patients with type 2 diabetes.
5. Sleep. Decreases in blood sugar can reach dangerously low levels in people with type 1 diabetes. It is best to check your blood sugar before bed and upon waking up. In this case, a snack before bed can be helpful. For some people, blood sugar rises in the morning, even after eating. This is due to changes in hormone levels and lower insulin levels. In this case, it is necessary to carry out regular checks.
6. Exercise. Physical activity – one of the best ways to improve health, however, diabetics need to select exercises individually. If you exercise intensely, your blood sugar levels may spike and then drop.
7. Alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are high in carbohydrates, which can lead to high sugar levels. You should definitely drink with a snack and in moderation.
8. Heat. In hot weather, blood sugar levels are more difficult to control. Therefore, everyone and people who are prone to spikes in blood sugar are advised to drink plenty of water.
9. Female hormones. Changes in hormonal levels lead to changes in blood sugar levels. Therefore, women are advised to regularly check and record their blood sugar levels throughout their menstrual cycle. Hormonal changes during menopause also make it harder to control blood sugar.
10. Directly sugar. With sugar, you need to be extremely careful, because it is logical that it is he who leads to the most rapid increase in blood sugar. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the amount of sugar consumed with special attention.
Estet-portal reminds that no one is immune from blood sugar spikes. Therefore, we recommend getting a glucometer and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, since the symptoms of its changes are not always noticeable, but, as a rule, dangerous.
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