Blood sugar spikes can occur after eating and can be dangerous if they exceed 350 mg/dL. Spikes over 500-600 mg/dL can lead to coma or death. Hyperglycemia can cause neurological damage and even death. Drinking water and vinegar can help lower blood sugar during spikes, but medical advice should be sought in severe cases.
Blood sugar spikes are sudden and relatively large increases in an individual’s blood sugar levels. People generally experience blood sugar spikes after eating, especially if the meal was particularly sweet. Although spikes typically exceed the normal blood sugar threshold of 180 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), those measuring 350 mg/dL or more are considered dangerous. When sudden high blood sugar levels approach 500-600 mg/dL, spikes can result in coma or death.
When an individual eats, the sugars contained in the food are absorbed into the blood to fuel the body’s metabolic processes. When this occurs, blood sugar levels are naturally high when measured. In response, the body produces insulin to bring blood sugar back to normal levels. As a result, these peaks typically last about two hours. If your blood sugar spikes don’t drop significantly after a few hours, it’s possible that your pancreas isn’t working properly or your body’s ability to use insulin is impaired.
If blood sugar reaches 350 mg/dL, but the amount of sugar consumed was not particularly high, it is likely that the individual has hyperglycemia or abnormally high blood sugar levels. Spikes measuring this large can pose significant risks to patients, as these individuals often have difficulty lowering their blood sugar. Such spikes can lead to dizziness, fatigue, and even chest pains. People with hyperglycemia might even lose consciousness after large blood sugar spikes.
There are instances where blood sugar spikes can cause severe neurological damage and prove fatal. Individuals who reach these levels are considered to be in the hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state. This state is reached when several blood sugar spikes occur in succession without ample recovery time in between. When in this state, individuals can go into shock and even fall into a coma. In severe cases, the hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state can lead to death.
If the body is unable to effectively lower blood sugar through insulin production, there are several ways to deal with the spikes. Drinking water can help dilute excess sugar, as well as promote healthy liver and kidney function. Taking 1 to 2 tablespoons (14.78 to 29.57 mL) of vinegar has also been found to lower blood sugar during spikes. In the event of an alarming spike, however, patients should seek medical advice.
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