Working on creating a diabetes management plan takes time and some patience. You may be doing all the right things and still seeing unexplained spikes and drops in your blood glucose levels. Do not get irritated or quit, continue to educate yourself and learn about your body.
Here are some things to consider when you are trying to explain the unexplainable regarding your sharp shifts in blood sugar levels.
Heat: sunburns, baths and hot tubs can make your blood vessels dilate and that increases insulin absorption.
Coffee: Even without sweeteners, the caffeine in coffee can produce high and low blood sugar levels. Some people are quite sensitive to caffeine.
Artificial Sweeteners: More research is needed, but the current information indicates that artificial sweeteners can raise blood sugar. What is your chemistry is telling you?
The Dawn Phenomenon: Some people, including non diabetes, have surges in blood sugar early in the day.
Skipping a Meal: Trying to go without a meal; especially breakfast, can increase your blood glucose levels during the day.
Not Sleeping Well: Losing one night of sleep can result in insulin resistance. Too little sleep = using your body’s insulin less efficiently.
Dehydration: Less water in your body equates to a higher concentration of glucose.
Gum disease: Just in case you were thinking about pushing that next dental cleaning out a few months or indefinitely, consider that gum disease has been linked to higher blood glucose levels. Your dental health can cause other complications with diabetes. Go to the dentist!
Nasal spray and Side Effects from Medications: come sprays have chemicals that can trigger your liver to release more glucose into the blood stream. Also, read up on any not diabetic medications you are taking and make sure there are no negative interactions what will impact your blood sugar levels. Have a talk with the pharmacist to be sure.
Time of the Day: Generally, as the day goes on, it becomes more difficult to control your blood sugar levels.
Stress: Read my mother’s story here.
It is worth repeating, diabetics have many things in common, but there are differences between individuals. If you cannot figure out why your levels are rising or dropping unexpectedly, review this list and experiment with some changes and checking your numbers. It is important to keep testing and continuing to work on the best plan of action for yourself.
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RJB