6 Shocking Things That May Affect Blood Sugar Levels
There are many things that affect your blood sugar levels. If you are a diabetic, you need to be aware of these things to practice better diabetes management.
When you're under stress, your body releases cortisol. It is a hormone that can raise blood sugars. In recent studies, some researchers have linked cortisol to elevated blood sugars in people with type 2 diabetes.
You may not realize it, but falling short of water can increase your risk of developing high blood sugar. Dehydration means that your kidneys are not able to produce enough urine to remove the excess sugar in your body.
Many medications, including common ones like corticosteroids, statins, and diuretics, can raise your blood sugar. So, talk to your doctor about these meds before taking them.
Other things that could affect your blood sugar include heat, menstruation, and hormonal changes during menopause. By testing your blood sugar regularly, you can spot these trends and make adjustments before they become serious.
To know more about the things that can spike your blood sugar levels, continue reading.
What Is Blood Sugar Levels?
Your body's main source of energy is glucose (also called sugar), which comes from food and the liver. Several bodily processes help keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range, including the secretion of insulin from your pancreas.
Insulin helps cells use the sugar in your blood, which enters your tissues and gives them energy. Glucose is also a fuel for your organs, and the liver stores it in the form of glycogen to help with energy during periods when you don't eat or drink.
When blood glucose levels are too high, the sugar builds up in the bloodstream, causing serious health problems like heart disease and stroke. Symptoms include irritability, fatigue, dry mouth, excessive sweating, and hunger.
Keeping track of your levels is an essential part of your care, as it allows you to see how well your treatment is working and make adjustments if needed. Normal blood sugar level is between 90 to 100 mg/dL.
6 Shocking Things That Affect Blood Sugar Levels
Many things can impact your blood sugar levels, including the foods you eat and the amount of insulin you take. But there are also some shocking factors that can elevate your glucose numbers.
Dawn Phenomenon
The dawn phenomenon is a natural process that happens when the body releases growth hormones, adrenaline, cortisol, and epinephrine as it prepares to wake up. This increases insulin resistance, and therefore blood sugar levels rise in the early morning hours. Some people with diabetes experience the dawn phenomenon on a regular basis, but it doesn't always cause problems. However, if you do regularly have high morning blood sugar, it is best to talk to your doctor about treatment options for the problem.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells take in sugar, called glucose, from the blood. Your body releases insulin during the day to keep your blood sugar levels in a normal range. Your body releases a small amount of insulin overnight and fasting and a large surge of insulin when you eat. If your insulin isn't working properly, you can have a high blood sugar level after eating, and your blood sugar won't drop back to a normal level within several hours.
Sickness and Illness
When you get sick, it can have a big impact on your blood sugar levels. There are a few reasons for this. One reason is that your body sees the illness as stress and releases hormones to fight it. This can raise your blood sugar and increase how much insulin you need. Another reason is that you may not feel like eating or may have nausea or vomiting. When you don't eat, your body uses sugar to fuel itself.
Stress
Stress is a normal part of life, and it's also something that can affect blood sugar levels. It happens when you have a situation that makes your body or mind feel anxious, tense, worried, or overwhelmed. Moreover, stress increases the level of cortisol, which can further lead to a spike in blood sugar levels. Long-term stress can have an even more serious impact on your health. It may cause you to make unhealthy eating and activity choices, which can raise your blood sugar levels.
Lack Of Sleep
Sleep is a critical part of health of everyone, but it's especially important when you have diabetes. One reason that lack of sleep affects blood sugar levels is that it interferes with how your body responds to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that removes glucose from the blood and tells muscle, fat, and liver cells to absorb it. But when you don't get enough sleep, your insulin doesn't work properly, resulting in elevated blood sugars in the morning.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a common ingredient in beverages like coffee, tea, and soda. It has a stimulant effect on your body, which means you feel alert and have more energy when you drink it. But consuming too much caffeine can cause your blood sugar to rise. According to the Mayo Clinic, caffeine can lower your sensitivity to insulin, which makes it harder for your cells to absorb the sugar they need. This can lead to higher or lower blood sugar after meals.
What Is The Most Common Way To Check Your Blood Glucose Level?
Your doctor can give you a simple test that shows your average blood sugar over the last 2 or 3 months. This is called an A1C test. An A1C below 5.7% is normal, 5.7 to 6.4% means you have prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher is diabetes.
You can keep your blood sugar level in the normal range with a healthy diet and lifestyle guided by Certified Diabetes Coaches. They will help you make changes in your diet, exercise, and lifestyle step by step until you can bring your blood sugar levels back to normal.
Use Klinio App to Manage Your Blood Sugar Levels
The Klinio app is a diabetes management tool that helps you track various health metrics such as glycated hemoglobin, steps, weight, and medication. It also has a progress tracker that lets you keep your scores and numbers in one place.
It offers a personalized meal plan that suggests your calorie, micronutrient, cholesterol, and sugar intake. This makes it easy for you to stay on track with your nutritional goals.
Moreover, this app also offers training programs to help you achieve your physical fitness goals. These workouts are designed to help you stabilize your blood sugar levels and burn calories.
The Klinio app is a great way to start your journey toward healthy living and a happier, more fulfilling life. With access to a growing library of meal plans, exercise videos, and a supportive community, you can get the inspiration and motivation you need to change your lifestyle.
Conclusion
Maintaining balanced blood sugar levels is essential for your overall health and well-being. It can also help prevent long-term serious health problems. However, there are many shocking things that can raise your blood sugar levels. For example, stress, caffeine intake, certain medicines, and dehydration can cause your blood sugar levels to increase. So, if you have diabetes, make sure you take these factors into consideration when keeping your blood sugar levels in the normal range.
