Trying to learn how to lower morning blood sugar? Here’s why your glucose levels rise in the morning and a few things you can try to keep them in range. Waking up with high glucose levels (or hyperglycemia) may feel like it doesn’t make sense. You spend several hours asleep, not consuming any carbs, and yet somehow your cinnamon glucose support levels are still high when you wake up in the morning. Why does this happen? What can you do to make sure your glucose levels are safely in range in the morning? Learn more about some tips on avoiding high morning blood sugar levels so you can start your day off right. Why does blood sugar go up in the morning? What is the dawn phenomenon? There are a few main reasons why your glucose levels may be higher in the morning. One of these is known as the dawn phenomenon.
The dawn phenomenon occurs early in the morning between 3 a.m. 8 a.m. while you are still asleep. As morning approaches, the body naturally signals your liver to produce glucose, giving your body the energy it needs for the start of the day. Caused by changes in hormonal levels, the dawn phenomenon happens to all people, with or without diabetes. However, for those without diabetes, insulin levels increase and they do not experience hyperglycemia. Another reason you may experience higher morning glucose levels is because your injected insulin wears off. If your body has insufficient insulin during the night, your glucose levels may start to rise. To combat this, you may consider trying a new basal insulin (if you use insulin), adjusting the timing and amount of your basal dose, or changing your nighttime basal rates (if wearing an insulin pump). The last reason you may experience higher morning glucose levels is known as the Somogyi effect.
This occurs if your glucose levels fall too low during the night, caused by too much insulin or medication. To respond, your liver produces more glucose to try to maintain your glucose levels, which may result in hyperglycemia. The Somogyi effect is not as common as the other reasons described. If you wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), or if you routinely check your blood glucose every morning, you can see whether you are experiencing early morning hyperglycemia. What should your blood sugar be when you wake up? Whenever possible, aim to keep your glucose levels in range between 70 and 130 mg/dL in the morning before you eat breakfast, and between 70 and 180 mg/dL at other times. For some people, including older adults or pregnant women, a slightly looser or tighter glucose range might be best, and GlycoCaresglucose metabolism you should discuss with your healthcare provider what your goals may be. Managing your glucose levels is key to preventing short and long-term complications.
Though the occasional high blood glucose won’t put you in immediate danger – consistently high glucose levels (over 180 mg/dL) over a long period of time are associated with complications of diabetes such as heart disease and stroke, chronic kidney disease, nerve damage, eye disease and more. Additionally, high glucose levels – especially in people with type 1 diabetes – can cause a dangerous situation. These high levels, if combined with high Glyco Care blood sugar formula ketone levels, can cause diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when a person has high blood ketones and not enough insulin. Symptoms of DKA include shortness of breath, fruity-smelling breath, nausea and vomiting, confusion, or loss of consciousness. Based on your glucose levels and trends, there are a few things you can do to manage your glucose levels so they don’t run high in the morning. Some of these strategies focus on adjusting medications to better suit your needs.
Other strategies include adjusting your exercise routine, as well as what and when you are eating before bed. Check your blood glucose before bed. If you are running high right before going to sleep, your glucose levels may remain high throughout the night. To address this, consider changing what time you eat in the evening, along with the content of what you’re eating. Also consider adding some light physical exercise such as a 10-15 minute walk to lower your glucose if it is high. Depending on these adjustments, you may need to adjust how much mealtime insulin you take to cover it.- Avoid eating lots of food close to bedtime such as a large, late dinner or a nighttime snack. One strategy from Adam Brown includes eating a low-carb, early dinner, with no snacking afterward. Make sure that you take enough insulin to cover your evening meal. An insulin dose that’s too low can cause your glucose levels to run high throughout the night and into the morning.