What To Do If Someone Is Having A Diabetic Emergency - First Aid Training - St John Ambulance [f05100]
Post Time: 2025-07-29
The ideal blood sugar range for healthy living is between 70-99 mg/dL after an overnight fast, and less than 180 mg/dL two hours after consuming a meal. Maintaining this balance requires attention to diet, exercise, stress management, sleep quality, medication adherence (if prescribed), and regular monitoring of blood glucose levels.
Maintaining Blood Sugar Balance Through Lifestyle Changes
Monitoring your blood sugar range effectively is crucial for optimal health. To do so, use glucometers or continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) at home to track fluctuations in your blood sugar levels throughout the day. Regular exercise, such as walking or jogging, can help improve insulin sensitivity and maintain a healthy weight.
The Science Behind Blood Sugar Balance
Insulin resistance is a significant cause of fluctuating blood sugar ranges. It occurs when the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. Factors contributing to insulin resistance include obesity, lack of physical activity, poor diet (high in processed foods and added sugars), stress, sleep deprivation, smoking, and certain medications.
Effective Diet Strategies for Blood Sugar Balance
Including fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains in your diet can help regulate blood sugar levels. Foods high on the glycemic index (GI) cause a rapid spike in blood glucose levels and should be consumed less frequently or avoided altogether. Examples of low-GI foods include non-starchy vegetables, most fruit, legumes, and some types of fat.
The Impact of Stress on Blood Sugar Balance
Stress significantly affects blood sugar balance by releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones increase glucose production in the liver (glycogenolysis), mobilize energy stores for immediate use, suppress insulin release from the pancreas, and prepare your body to respond to threats.
Regulating Blood Sugar Through Regular Exercise
Regular physical activity can significantly improve blood sugar control by enhancing insulin sensitivity. When you exercise regularly, glucose transport into muscle cells increases, which reduces overall blood glucose levels in response to meals. Examples of low-impact exercises include yoga, swimming, or walking for 30 minutes a day.
Nutritional Supplements that Support Blood Sugar Balance
Certain supplements may help regulate blood sugar levels by addressing underlying imbalances and reducing inflammation within the body. These include omega-3 fatty acids (in particular EPA), berberine-containing herbs like Oregon grape root, turmeric/Curcumin extract due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Stabilizing Your Blood Sugar Range
Maintaining healthy sleep habits is crucial for blood sugar regulation as poor quality or inadequate sleep can disrupt the body's natural processes. Aim for 7-9 hours of continuous and restorative sleep each night, avoiding caffeine before bedtime and ensuring a dark environment conducive to good sleeping conditions.
Avoiding High-Glycemic Index Foods
Foods high on the glycemic index (GI) increase blood glucose levels quickly due to their carbohydrate-rich content but often low fiber. Examples include processed snacks like chips or cookies that contain refined sugars, as well as sweetened fruits juices without pulp and sugar-added foods in general.
Importance of Blood Sugar Monitoring for Diabetics
Monitoring your blood sugar range through regular testing will provide essential information on whether treatments such as medication, diet modifications, physical activity adjustments are meeting desired objectives. Understanding fluctuations helps healthcare professionals personalize treatment options tailored specifically to individual needs rather than relying solely upon generalized standards or recommendations.
check blood sugar at walgreens A St John Ambulance trainer demonstrates what to look for if someone is having a diabetic emergency and what to do to help if you suspect hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia. Find out more about what to do if someone is having a diabetic emergency and learn more about the different types of diabetes, signs & symptoms here: A St John Ambulance trainer demonstrates what to look for if someone is having a seizure, what causes a seizure and elevated blood sugar icd 10 code what to do to help. Learn more life saving skills food to lower blood sugar quickly with St John Ambulance first aid training courses: For more information follow us on Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: #FirstAid #Diabetes #Emergency