Blood Sugar: How to Check, Treat, and Keep It Steady

Blood sugar (blood glucose) is the fuel your body runs on. Too high or too low creates symptoms fast and causes problems over time. This page gives clear, useful steps you can use right away: how to read levels, what to do in a low or high episode, and simple daily habits that help keep glucose steady.

What the numbers mean

Normal ranges most people aim for: fasting glucose under 100 mg/dL, two hours after a meal usually under 140 mg/dL, and A1c below 5.7% (A1c shows average glucose over ~3 months). If fasting glucose is 100–125 mg/dL that’s considered prediabetes. 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests suggests diabetes. These are general targets — your doctor may set different goals.

Low blood sugar is usually under 70 mg/dL and can cause shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, irritability, or confusion. Severe lows (under ~54 mg/dL) can lead to fainting or seizures and need urgent treatment. High blood sugar often shows as increased thirst, needing to pee a lot, blurry vision, or feeling tired. If levels stay very high, ask your provider about treatment changes.

Immediate steps for highs and lows

If your meter shows low glucose and you have symptoms: take 15–20 grams of fast carbs — a glass of fruit juice, regular soda (not diet), or glucose tablets. Wait 15 minutes and recheck. If it’s still low, repeat. If someone is unconscious, call emergency services — do not try to give food by mouth.

If your glucose spikes high (over 300 mg/dL) or you have nausea, vomiting, or fruity breath, check for ketones if you can. Drink water, test again, and contact your clinician. High readings after meals can often be improved by changing what and when you eat, moving more after eating, or adjusting meds under medical guidance.

Regular monitoring helps spot patterns. Fingerstick meters are cheap and fast. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) give trends and alarms for lows or highs — useful if you have frequent swings or take insulin.

Daily habits that actually move the needle: favor whole carbs (vegetables, beans, oats) over refined carbs, add fiber and protein to slow glucose spikes, and keep portions reasonable. A 10–20 minute walk after meals lowers post-meal glucose a lot. Strength training and regular cardio improve how your body uses glucose long-term.

Sleep and stress matter more than people think. Poor sleep and chronic stress raise cortisol, which pushes blood sugar up. Cutting back alcohol and sticking to medication schedules help too. If you’re on diabetes meds, never skip doses without talking to your prescriber.

If you notice repeated highs, frequent lows, or new symptoms (blurred vision, wounds that won’t heal, unexplained weight loss), see your healthcare provider. Small, consistent changes often stabilize blood sugar and reduce the need for bigger medical interventions. If you want, check related guides on our site for monitoring tools and lifestyle strategies tailored to men’s health.