What causes high blood sugar at night?
According to Dr. Tushar Tayal, Chief Consultant - Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram (India), sleep is related to many different metabolic and hormonal processes in the body, which is why sleep deprivation and sleep disorders can directly affect the way the body produces other hormones, thereby affecting blood sugar levels.
During sleep, cortisol and growth hormone are released, causing insulin resistance and increased glucose levels. Growth hormone and cortisol are needed to repair all the wear and tear our bodies endure during the day. Additionally, brain activity slows down during sleep, causing the body to use less glucose, ultimately leading to insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels while sleeping.
Symptoms of diabetes that occur at night
Symptoms of diabetes that may manifest at night:
- Frequent urination at night
- Night sweats
- Poor sleep
- Nocturnal hypoglycemia includes symptoms such as nightmares, sweating, or waking up with a rapid heart rate
“Hypoglycemia in diabetics can occur due to incorrect insulin doses and timing, high doses of oral diabetes medications, skipping meals or drinking too much alcohol without eating, prolonged hypoglycemia can cause cardiac arrest, permanent brain damage and even death,” said Dr. Tayal.
Conclude
You should never ignore any signs of diabetes, whether during the day or at night, Dr. Tayal adds. Managing diabetes involves maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and closely following medication instructions.
