Blood Sugar: What to Know and What to Do Today

High or low blood sugar can wreck your day fast. Knowing simple numbers, quick actions, and daily habits gives you control. This page cuts through the noise with clear steps you can use right now.

Know the numbers and how to test

For most adults with diabetes, common targets are: fasting blood sugar about 80–130 mg/dL and under 180 mg/dL two hours after a meal. Your doctor may set different goals for you. The main tests are a fingerstick glucose meter for spot checks, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for steady tracking, and HbA1c blood tests that show average levels over 2–3 months.

Testing tips: wash and dry your hands before a fingerstick, use a fresh test strip, and keep a short log of readings and what you ate. If a CGM alarms, confirm with a fingerstick when levels don’t match how you feel.

Quick actions for highs and lows

If your blood sugar is low (under 70 mg/dL): eat or drink 15 grams of fast carbs — 4 glucose tablets, 4 ounces of juice, or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck in 15 minutes. If still low, repeat. If you lose consciousness, get emergency help and don’t try to give food by mouth.

If your blood sugar is high (over 250 mg/dL): drink water, avoid extra carbs, and test for ketones if you have type 1 diabetes or feel very unwell. If ketones are present or you have persistent vomiting, get medical help. If you’re on insulin and unsure what to do, follow your care plan or call your provider.

Medication safety matters. If you buy diabetes drugs or supplies online, use trusted sources and follow prescription rules. We have a practical guide on buying Actoplus Met safely if you need that kind of info.

Daily habits that move the needle: eat consistent portions of carbs, pair carbs with protein or healthy fat, stay active (a 20–30 minute walk after meals lowers post-meal spikes), sleep well, and manage stress. Small, steady changes matter more than dramatic short-term fixes.

Keep a simple routine: test at usual times (fasting, before meals, and when you feel odd), review patterns every week, and adjust food or activity rather than chasing single readings. Track trends — those tell you what to change.

When to call your doctor: repeated readings above or below your targets, ketones, dehydration, sudden vision changes, severe fatigue, or confusing symptoms. If you’re starting or changing medicines, talk to your provider about side effects and how to monitor them.

If you want practical resources, check articles on our site about diabetes meds, online pharmacy safety, and monitoring tools. Use tested information and talk with your healthcare team before making treatment changes. Small steps today can prevent big problems later.