You want to know about blood sugar in the morning. This is what I can tell you:
Blood sugar, or glucose, is what gives energy to the cells in the body. It comes from the food we eat, mostly from carbohydrates. The amount of blood sugar in the blood changes during the day, depending on what and when we eat, how much we move, and other things. One of these things is the dawn phenomenon, which is when the blood sugar goes up naturally in the early morning hours, usually between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.
The dawn phenomenon happens because of hormonal changes that happen at night. These hormones, such as growth hormone, cortisol, glucagon, and epinephrine, help the body get ready for the day by making and releasing more glucose from the liver and muscles. They also make the cells less sensitive to insulin, the hormone that helps the glucose get into the cells.
The dawn phenomenon affects both people with and without diabetes, but it can have different effects. For people without diabetes, the body can change the insulin amount to balance the blood sugar and keep it in the normal range of 70 to 99 mg/dL. For people with diabetes, however, the body may not make enough insulin or use it well to stop the dawn phenomenon. This can cause high blood sugar levels in the morning, also called hyperglycemia.
Hyperglycemia can hurt the health, such as harming the nerves, kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels. It can also raise the risk of heart disease, stroke, and infections. Therefore, it is important for people with diabetes to check their blood sugar levels often and follow their treatment plan to keep them in their goal range.
Some of the ways that can help people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels in the morning are:
- Eating a good dinner that is low in carbohydrates and high in protein and fiber.
- Not having snacks or drinks that have sugar or alcohol before sleeping.
- Doing some exercise after dinner, such as walking or biking.
- Taking the medicine or insulin dose that the doctor told them to take at the right time and in the right amount.
- Checking the blood sugar level before going to bed and again in the morning.
- Eating a balanced breakfast that has carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.
- Talking to the doctor or diabetes educator about changing the medicine or insulin dose if needed.
The dawn phenomenon is a normal and natural thing that can affect the blood sugar levels in the morning. By knowing how it works and how to handle it, people with diabetes can avoid hyperglycemia and keep their health and wellness.
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