{"id":507,"date":"2019-05-21T08:19:02","date_gmt":"2019-05-21T08:19:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diabetesasia.org\/magazine\/?p=507"},"modified":"2025-04-11T09:00:33","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T03:30:33","slug":"why-diabetes-level-fluctuates-within-minutes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diabetesasia.org\/magazine\/why-diabetes-level-fluctuates-within-minutes\/","title":{"rendered":"why diabetes level fluctuates within minutes ?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the case of living with diabetes, these fluctuations can be tricky for a few. By better understanding the factors that contribute to these occurrences, you can avoid a significant number of adverse health effects in the long term.<\/p>\n

Whether you were recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or have been living with the condition for several years, you know how fickle blood sugar<\/a> <\/span><\/strong>levels can be, and how important it is that they stay controlled.<\/p>\n

Proper blood sugar control is key for warding off potential\u00a0d<\/a>iabetes\u00a0complications, such as kidney disease,\u00a0nerve damage, vision problems,\u00a0stroke, and heart disease,\u00a0according to MedlinePlus. Keeping your levels in check daily can help you stay energized, focused, and in a good mood, explains Lisa McDermott, RD, CDCES,\u00a0a diabetes specialist with the Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network.<\/p>\n

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular\u00a0exercise, taking proper medication (if necessary), and conducting regular blood sugar checks can all help keep your levels within a healthy range. The\u00a0ADA recommends\u00a0blood glucose stay within 80 to 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg\/dL) before meals and below 180 mg\/dL two hours after the start of a meal. Furthermore,\u00a0the organization recommends getting an\u00a0A1C test, which measures your average blood glucose over the past two to three months, at least twice per year if your levels are stable and you are meeting treatment goals.<\/p>\n

\"why<\/p>\n

Learning how different habits can cause your blood sugar to fluctuate can help you better predict how your levels will swing. Both low and high blood sugar levels lead to serious health consequences.\u00a0High blood sugar<\/a>\u00a0may cause\u00a0nausea<\/a>,\u00a0vomiting<\/a>, or\u00a0shortness of breath<\/a>, while\u00a0low blood sugar<\/a>\u00a0may cause confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, seizures, unconsciousness, or even death, McDermott explains.<\/p>\n

Managing the factors that can influence blood sugar can be a balancing act. Even if you keep careful tabs on what you eat and take your medication conscientiously, you will inevitably see fluctuations in your day-to-day levels. After all, some of the factors that affect your readings are out of your control.<\/p>\n

But that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t defend against those factors. Read on to learn some of the lesser-known factors that can cause blood sugar<\/a><\/span><\/strong> swings \u2014 and how to adjust accordingly.<\/p>\n

Can\u00a0dehydration<\/a>\u00a0cause high blood sugar? Yes, and it turns out, the two are more related than you may realize: Falling short on fluids can lead to hyperglycemia, as the sugar in your circulation becomes more concentrated, McDermott explains. To make matters worse, high blood sugar\u00a0can cause you to urinate more, resulting in even more dehydration.<\/p>\n

People with diabetes should be especially vigilant about drinking plenty of\u00a0water<\/a>\u00a0or other calorie-free beverages throughout the day to\u00a0stay hydrated\u00a0and healthy. Hydration goals vary depending on factors like sex and life stage. Plus, people who are highly active or have high body mass levels have greater fluid needs.\u00a0If you find plain H2O hard to swallow, try garnishing your glass with a few citrus wedges, frozen\u00a0berries<\/a>, cucumber slices, or fresh mint leaves. Unsweetened iced herbal teas, such as raspberry, cherry, or peach varieties, are also wonderfully refreshing \u2014 and naturally\u00a0caffeine<\/a>-free, she says.<\/p>\n

Artificial Sweeteners May Alter Blood Sugar Response<\/h2>\n

Many people with diabetes reach for diet drinks as a substitute for regular soda or juice because they assume that\u00a0sugar-free<\/a>\u00a0beverages won\u2019t raise their blood sugar. But a\u00a0review published in 2021\u00a0suggested that artificial sweeteners may not be completely neutral after all, and may contribute to impaired glucose homeostasis.<\/p>\n

But the research isn\u2019t definitive \u2014 most government and medical institutions maintain that most artificial sweeteners do not affect blood sugar. So what could be going on?\u00a0According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the possible downsides to artificial sweeteners could be more present when consumed in large amounts. (This could be because some consider sugar-free food healthy, so they end up consuming excessive amounts or eating other carb-filled foods because they think the diet drink lets them \u201cafford\u201d it.) The Mayo Clinic also notes that some noncaloric sweeteners called sugar alcohols, which include\u00a0mannitol,\u00a0sorbitol, and xylitol, can raise blood sugar levels and cause\u00a0diarrhea, which can contribute to dehydration.<\/p>\n

\"Artificial<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you drink a lot of diet soda then you might want to cut back and see if it has an impact on your blood glucose,\u201d says Patty Bonsignore, RN, CDCES, a nurse educator at the\u00a0Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston<\/a>. Keep things sugar-free by turning to water or seltzer as opposed to regular soda or juice.<\/p>\n

Some Medications Meddle With Diabetes Control<\/h2>\n

The prescription and over-the-counter medications you take to treat health problems besides diabetes can monkey with blood sugar levels. One example is steroids (used to treat inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disorders, and\u00a0asthma<\/a>), which can cause blood sugar to shoot up dramatically, McDermott says.\u00a0Birth control pills, certain\u00a0antidepressants\u00a0and\u00a0antipsychotics, beta-2 stimulators, and some hormone therapies may also cause higher-than-normal readings, while other drugs, such as antibiotics, may\u00a0lower blood sugar,\u00a0according to TriHealth. \u201cEven cough drops can affect blood sugar levels,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Make sure your prescribing physicians are aware of your diabetes before giving you a new Rx, and consult with your pharmacist before taking any new medications, prescription or not, McDermott advises. Ask whether these products will interfere with diabetes management or interact with any other meds you\u2019re taking.<\/p>\n

Watch Out for the Infamous \u2018Dawn Phenomenon\u2019<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s not uncommon to wake up to a high blood sugar reading, even if your number was in the green zone when you went to bed. You may be experiencing the \u201cdawn phenomenon,\u201d which occurs when the body preps for waking up by releasing cortisol and other\u00a0hormones<\/a>, between 2 and 8 a.m.,\u00a0according to the Mayo Clinic.<\/p>\n

These hormones make the body less sensitive to\u00a0insulin<\/a>, and in people with diabetes, can contribute to a\u00a0morning blood sugar spike. Alternatively, you may start the day with a low glucose level if, for example, you\u2019re taking too much insulin or medication at night or not eating enough in the evening, McDermott says. She notes that eating a small, protein-rich,\u00a0low-carb snack<\/a>\u00a0at bedtime can sometimes help by shortening the fast (without spiking nighttime blood sugar).<\/p>\n

\"Watch<\/p>\n

If you see a trend in your morning readings \u2014 or they\u2019re highly erratic from day to day \u2014 you\u2019ll want to work with your doctor or diabetes educator to identify the problem so you can take steps to correct it, says Bonsignore.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s Menstrual Cycles Can Affect Blood Sugar<\/h2>\n

As if cramping,\u00a0bloating<\/a>, and mood swings weren\u2019t bad enough, hormonal changes during a woman\u2019s\u00a0premenstrual phase\u00a0can cause her blood sugars to get a little out of whack,\u00a0according to the CDC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While the effect varies from person to person, some women with diabetes become\u00a0less sensitive to insulin\u00a0during the week or so leading up to their period, which can translate into above-normal sugar levels, McDermott explains. Readings typically return to normal once or soon after menstruation begins. If you notice that your blood sugar consistently runs high the week before your period, it may help to\u00a0trim the amount of carbohydrates\u00a0you\u2019re eating during that time or squeeze in some extra exercise, she says. (Just be sure to track your cycle and blood sugar levels closely to be certain this is the cause.)<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re taking insulin, speak with your doctor or diabetes educator about possibly adjusting your medication to compensate for hormonal changes.<\/p>\n

Dehydration Drives Up Blood Sugar<\/h2>\n

Some of the main reasons behind blood sugar fluctuation are :<\/p>\n