Controlling your blood sugar can be a wild ride.

When it comes to glucose (blood sugar) levels, highs and lows are a part of life for people living with diabetes, but sometimes those highs and lows are too extreme. When that happens, people with diabetes experience conditions called hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.

The 411 on Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia happens when blood glucose levels skyrocket above the level that you and your doctor have set as your target. It can be caused by not exercising enough, not managing stress well, skipping insulin doses or eating too much food. If it becomes a chronic problem, hyperglycemia can put you at risk for stroke, heart attack and congestive heart failure. Symptoms include:

• blurred vision
• fatigue
• increased thirst and increased urination
• unexplained weight loss

Drinking plenty of water can help lower blood glucose levels. If spikes are happening frequently, look at your actions around the time they occur — what were you eating? Did you exercise that day? Make appropriate changes, and always talk with your doctor if you are unsure what to do.

Hypoglycemia 101
Hypoglycemia, on the other hand, occurs when your blood sugar drops too low. Typically this is due to not having eaten enough or properly, though it can also happen as a side effect of some diabetes medications. Symptoms include:

• anxiety
• lightheadedness or dizziness
• nervousness or confusion
• shakiness
• weakness and fatigue

Hypoglycemia often can be treated by consuming milk, fruit juice, hard candy or glucose tablets. If you find yourself experiencing it more than once or twice a week, speak with your doctor about how to best treat it.

Keeping Up With Your Blood Glucose
Maintaining a healthy blood sugar level can be tricky. One of your best tools is staying aware of what your levels are, including what they look like at different times of day. We’ve got a few suggestions of how to keep track:

• a small journal you can keep with you
• free apps for your smartphone
• the American Diabetes Association’s online tool, Diabetes 24/7

Keeping your levels in one place allows you to look at them and see over time how physical activity, meals and stress affect you and whether your highs or lows are a consistent enough problem to warrant a change in your routine.

Need help managing your diabetes? Our Diabetes Support Group offers up-to-date information and peer support related to self-management of diabetes. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the Liberty Rooms of Tennova Healthcare – Clarksville. For more information visit Tennova.com or contact the Diabetes Program Coordinator at 931-502-1696 or the Registered Dietitians at 931-502-1690.

This publication in no way seeks to diagnose or treat illness or to serve as a substitute for professional medical care.