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The central aspect of diabetes medication and management is controlling blood sugar levels in the body. In keeping the blood sugar levels low for a diabetic, this can help manage the cell and organ degeneration that accompanies diabetes as it ravages the body.
Even with diet control and exercise, the body’s blood sugar still rises because of the body’s autonomic responses. These are some of the instances that blood sugar spikes occur in the body.
1. The Food You Eat. One of the most effective ways to manage diabetes is by having the proper diet specially suited for diabetics. But what you eat is not the complete story as how much you eat and the time you eat is also a factor in the increase of blood sugar in the body. Here are some of the factors that come into play as a result of the food you eat and its consequent blood sugar spikes.
· The amount of food you eat is major consideration as the more food you eat, the higher the blood sugar levels would be. This is because so much more glucose is extracted from the food and ends up in the bloodstream.
· The blood sugar level is highest an hour after you eat as this is the amount of time that the glucose is extracted from the body. This time is also the time you feel drowsy after a heavy meal as the body focuses on the processing of the glucose as a full time job.
· Eating too many carbohydrates would surely result in a blood pressure spike. So keeping carbohydrate intake at an even keel would definitely keep your blood sugar levels the same throughout the day. When digested, carbohydrates become glucose and excessive carbohydrate intake results in spikes in the blood sugar levels.
· The amount of food and the intake of medication also is a factor to consider in blood glucose levels. Too little food may lead to hypoglycemia while too much food would result in hyperglycemia. So to be able to properly manage the blood sugar levels, eating properly in the right amounts is the key to keep blood glucose levels balanced.
2. Exercise also affects blood sugar levels. As you exercise, the demand for glucose as an energy source increases throughout the body. Thus by working out, the glucose level on the body is burned up and thus insulin levels need not be too high to maintain the proper and healthy glucose levels. But the problem is that even if the exercise regimen is done, the blood sugar levels are high since there is no insulin to taper down the glucose levels from workout mode to regular mode. This results in the increase of the glucose levels in the bloodstream.
3. Other Illnesses influence the blood sugar levels. When there is an infection in other parts of the body, the body reacts by producing hormones to help in combating the infection and recuperation of the body. These hormones raise your blood sugar level by negating the effect of insulin on the level of blood sugar level. Though there is a path towards healing, but affects the diabetes management regimen in the long run.
4. Alcohol Ingestion. The liver stores excess glucose in the bloodstream. When the body’s blood sugar level decreases to low levels, the liver releases the stored glucose. So when your body has to metabolise the alcohol in the bloodstream, the liver has to release the stored glucose thus causing the blood sugar levels to spike dramatically.
5. Stress increases blood sugar levels. When stress overwhelms the individual, the individual would tend to exercise less, eat with abandon or even ingest greater amounts of alcohol. These unhealthy practices results in hormonal imbalance in the body leading to increased sugar levels in the blood.
6. The Dawn Phenomena. This is a natural bodily phenomenon that occurs in the body while one is asleep. When in deep sleep, the body does not require insulin to regulate and metabolise glucose in the blood. Then, by the time you are about to awake for the new day, the body floods the body with stored glucose to be used during the day. It is also at this time that insulin inhibitors are produced to negate the effect of insulin on the body. Thus, the dawn phenomena are the body’s own way of increasing glucose in preparation for the day ahead.
7. The Somogyi Effect. This is also called rebound hyperglycemia. Like the Dawn Phenomena, high blood sugar levels are caused by high carbohydrate intake the night before. This is mainly due to the activities prior to bedtime, such as eating before bedtime or not having much to eat at bedtime. In both cases, the body floods the system with insulin to counteract the increased glucose in the body prior to bedtime. This results in low blood sugar while at rest and then the dawn phenomena kicks in. On the other hand, too little to eat inhibits the presence of insulin making for the higher and more significant spike in the blood sugar levels at the onset of the Dawn Phenomena.
The Rise and Fall of Blood Sugar Levels
As can be seen, the blood sugar level rises and falls due to many factors. Some are caused by the diabetic’s own actions or the body’s autonomic functions. So what can be done to keep blood sugar levels from rising or spiking? Only those causes that are actively performed can be controlled. These include eating right, regular blood glucose level checks and avoiding alcohol. Other externalities such as stress and infection need also be managed properly to prevent blood sugar spiking. As for the Dawn Phenomenon, immediate checking of the blood sugar level upon waking up can help in keeping the blood sugar spike in check. As for the Somogyi effect, you would need to review what you eat before going to bed to keep the danger of blood sugar increases from occurring.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
bEEN A TYPE 1 NDIABETIC FOR 48 YEARS-NOW IN A NURESING HOME. iT’S AMAZING WHAT THE GENERAL MEDICAL STAFF DOES’NT KNOW-ALL NEED AN IN-SERVICE. hELP-ALL NEED EDUCATED AGAIN. mARY CROMWELL
that is very important to know about the actual reason of diabetic, even about its control.this site is very scientific. how do i manage when my dads face with a problem of falling suger level & he feel very weak with perspiration. after taking som food or drinks he will get the normal position.he have type 2 diabetic from 4 years.
I am 64 years old male. I am a Diabetes patient for 22 years. For 45 days back I had underwent open heart bye pass surgery. My PP blood sugar is not at all under control. But my Fasting blood sugar is within control and some times I am getting low sugar (Hypo). I am checking my blood sugar trice in a day through glucose monitor. ie., Fasting, PP and night 10’0 clock for the past one month. The average blood sugar is 80 mg/dl, 280 mg/dl and 200 mg/dl respectively. I am adopting strict diet control. I am walking for about 1 hour also. The Sr. Consultant Physician of one of the leading hospital where I had underwent for bye pass surgery has prescribed the following medicines:
1.Human Mixtard-30 Insulin 40 Uts-0-20 Uts.
2.T. Recarb 50 1-1-1
3.T. Glimulin-2 1-0-1
4.Cap. D.Gard 1-0-1
I had consulted my doctor to whom I am getting treatment for diabetes, in connection with my uncontrolled PP blood sugar. He advised me to continue the above medicines and prescribed Soluble Insulin-Human Actrapid 10 Uts after lunch. But the Sr. Consultant Physician of the hospital where I got bye pass surgery is not recommended this insulin. Hence I have stopped to take this insulin. I am very much worried about my uncontrolled PP blood sugar because I have underwent bye pass surgery and I fear this will lead to harm curing the wound. I shall be very much obliged if you could help me my providing your valuable advice. Thank you,
Hello Sir
I m diabetes 2 i take medicine on my physician advice, unfortunately i don't care about my food/meal mostly my build sugar upto 200+random and some time same i.e 200+ fasting Please tell me suitable diet chart. My age is 39 years and my weight is accurate according my height. Further requested can i maintain my blood sugar without taking medicine? so what i can do to maintain my blood sugar,
Hello ABID,
I have had type 1 diabetes for 17 years now. For most of that time i didn’t care about my blood sugars either, i neglected to test them at all and would sometimes be ok and sometimes not. What i realised in the end is ignoring it wasn’t going to mean i would miraculasly not be diabetic anymore, and long term i was playing with my life. Literally.
The reason i didnt treat myself properly is because i was scared.
Now i pay close attention to my sugar levels and to what i eat.
No-one on here can give you the diet regime you need, it is an individual thing and it does take some commitment to get it right, but its worth it.
In general terms, eat regularly, 3 small meals a day, whole grains instead of processed as they help to balance blood sugars and are slow release, no sugary foods or drinks, low dairy intake, lots of green leafy veg. regular excercise.
You can maintain your blood sugars without medicine but it is something you have to give time and attention. Type 2 diabetes is reversable, take your chance while you have it!
Best of luck to you,
Anna
sir today i have check my sugar i found 300 after meals but before meals not checked how to low my sugar
Hi, My husband (49) is a type 2 diabetic, since 15 years. He is struggling with his high fasting sugar level in the morning from last 6 months. He is on metformin 500 mg day one till 2009 with a good control. As there was some irregularities seen in his bld sugar level(was not taking medicines properly) he was added Glimipride 1 mg.. which resulted in hypoglycemia , which led to other problems. We are keen about our food, and regular exercise. In spite of all this his sugar level is not under control at all from 8 months . Every time doctor has increased the dosage without any result. Instead reducing the sugar level is increasing He has changed doctors in 3 years, anticipating a good result by any of them. He is scared of having his food after checking his blood sugar. It stays 180-190, through the day. Any suggestions/ help/recommendations welcome.
type 2 diabetic, taking meds, eating properly, exercising daily, not snacking, blood sugar was ok now (nothing has changed) blood sugar is high canadian 8's and 9's should be 5 and 6. Don't know what i'm doing wrong – the only thing i am not doing is sleeping properly i seem to wake up every hour. what's happening. i also am trying to diet and i can't seem to kick start weight loss again i am at a plateau and need to get past it – any suggestions.
What Re some snacks that can be helpfull to help keep blood sugar levels in the morn?
I have been working to prevent the development of Diabetes in my system. Some things I have been doing that have met with success are: magnesium in the morning with my breakfast…..sometimes a lemonade in the day with artificial sweetener (lemon helps keeps glucose down)….in the afternoon I take a Chromium GTF around 4 or 5 pm on empty stomach. This help with blood sugar. Sometimes I have a slice of wheat bread dipped in Apple Cider vinegar (vinegar, especially Apple Cider, helps keep the glucose down). Of course I try to exercise. Weight lifting helps and garden work, etc. For diet, it is hard but you must force yourself to eat more vegetables and cut potatoes, rice down to small or none from time to time. White breads are bad as are chips, french fries. If I want something sweet, I usually have in the afternoon, but not too much. Nighttime sweets will spike it and make you wake up and go to the bathroom. Stress and lack of proper sleep will spike your blood sugar too. I have done this research on my own and found it to be helpful for me. Monitor your body and see how they work for you.