Blood sugar spikes are sharp rises in blood sugar levels.
They can happen due to a variety of factors, but often occur when you eat too manysimple carbohydrates.
You might notice symptoms like increased thirst, headache, and blurry vision.
Verywell / Laura Porter
The best way to manage them is to control yourblood sugar (glucose)levels well.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Blood Sugar Spike Symptoms
Some people can feel ablood sugar spikewhen it happens.
It typically occurs within an hour or two of eating.
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If you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk of having a spike than people without diabetes.
Below are some tips on how you’re able to properly manage your blood sugar levels.
Proper Hydration
Staying hydrated is important even if you dont have diabetes.
Water makes up most of the body and plays a role in many different body functions.
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.
Being consistent with meal timing can help prevent blood sugar swings.
Choose what works best for you and stick with it.
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.
Aim for 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.
If you havent exercised in a while, start small.
Move your body in ways you enjoy, choosing activities that you like and can stick to.
Medication
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.
Try not to skip any doses of your medication and never stop taking it without consulting your doctor first.
How to Prevent Blood Sugar Spikes
There are additional ways to prevent blood sugar spikes.
When your cells use fat for fuel instead of glucose, it creates a byproduct called ketones.
Diabetic ketoacidosisis 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.
The occasional spike should not cause any issues in the short term.
However, frequent ones are associated with diabetes 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 spikes.
Summary
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.
Managing your diabetes at home is a critical part of prevention.
Also, work with your healthcare team to create a diabetes treatment plan that works for you.
The first step in managing high morning blood sugar levels is determining the cause.
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Hall H, Perelman D, Breschi A, et al.Glucotypes reveal new patterns of glucose dysregulation.PLoS Biol.
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