Can Stress Cause High Blood Sugar Levels in Non diabetics
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Stress releases some hormones, which may make it tough for insulin to work properly. This causes blood sugar levels to increase. Chronic stress can cause high blood sugar levels.
High blood sugar in individuals who don’t have diabetes is related to stress hormones many times or how your body procedures insulin. This can happen during a stressful event or an injury or can be as a result of another ongoing issue.
In stressful events, our body works by ensuring there is much energy or sugar available. Levels of stress decrease, cortisol (a stress hormone) increases, glucose level increases, so that body tissue can be less sensitive to insulin. All this may happen during the period of extreme emotional stress and anxiety, serious illness, and traumatic injuries.
In this article we will discuss how stress can cause high blood sugar levels in non diabetics, all the information regarding non-diabetic hyperglycemia and the ways to manage blood sugar levels during when you are stressed and anxious.
What Is non-diabetic hyperglycemia?
It is a condition in which a person has high blood glucose level (sugar), but does have diabetes. This condition may result from major illness, stress, trauma, or long-lasting underlying condition for which a person is unaware of. Hyperglycemia not only makes the body more likely to get infections, also make it difficult to identify the disease in the early stage, and interfere with the process of healing.
Another reason for hyperglycemia may be pre-diabetes, also known as impaired glucose intolerance. It raises glucose levels, but not in diabetic range.
What is stress hyperglycemia?
Stress hyperglycemia is a short-term increase in blood sugar which occurs as a result of illness, psychological stress or physical stress. This is common when a person is in a hospital setting and cured when there is no longer stressful condition present.
When the sugar level of a person without diabetes exceeds 180 mg/dl, then the doctor will diagnose stress hyperglycemia. It is noted that 50% of people experience it during the first 48 hours when they are admitted to a hospital or critical care unit.
Risk factors for diabetes, which includes, family history of diabetes, or higher body mass index (BMI) can increase the risk of stress hyperglycemia.
Stress hyperglycemia can cause adverse complications and outcomes. It causes risks of death in some critically ill patients. Some patients may develop type 2 diabetes after they recover from stress hyperglycemia. Due to this, children and adolescents can face high risk or developing type 1 diabetes.
Symptoms of high blood sugar level in non diabetics
Non diabetic hyperglycemia has similar symptoms to those of diabetic hyperglycemia. These symptoms may include:
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Increased thirst
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Frequent urination
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Intense or unusual hunger
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Blurred vision
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Nausea and vomiting
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Abdominal pain
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Fatigue
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Headache
Does anxiety and stress raise blood sugar levels?
Research in 2019 shows that increased levels of anxiety can cause the nervous system to release the hormones which can increase levels of cortisol and glucose.
Anxiety or stress also affect insulin, by lowering the release of insulin or changing the sensitivity and resistance of insulin. This can raise blood sugar levels.
How much blood sugar level stress can raise?
Blood sugar levels can increase due to hormones that are released in response to stress. Stress hyperglycemia occurs when a person without diabetes has increased blood sugar levels of over 180 mg/dl due to stress. Inflammations and hormones can cause blood sugar levels to increase in the same way that doctors see in people with diabetes.
How can you determine if your mental stress is affecting glucose levels?
People should measure their blood glucose throughout the day to determine if stressful events are causing an increase in blood sugar. They have to note how they are feeling and when they last ate.
People can then show their readings to their doctor for analysis of blood sugar level.
If the doctor observes that stress has a negative impact on the patient’s blood sugar, they should find out various techniques to help a person control their higher stress levels.
Ways to manage stress and anxiety
Managing the levels of stress and anxiety can help support normal blood sugar levels.
Following are helpful tips to manage stress and anxiety levels:
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Spare some time do something calming, such as doing yoga, listening to music, meditating
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Listening or watching to something funny
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eating a balanced, healthy diet
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Avoiding or limiting caffeine or alcohol, as they can make anxiety worse
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Write down the patterns of anxiety or stress to identify triggers
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exercising daily
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Breathing slowing and deeply, then counting to 10 or 20
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Speaking with a family member and friend for support and advice
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Talking with a therapist or a healthcare professional
Ways to manage blood sugar levels when you are stressed or anxious
A person should try following to manage blood sugar levels, when feeling anxious or stressed:
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Exercise regularly canincrease sensitivity to insulin.
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Check your sugar level regularly to identify the triggers that can increase your sugar levels
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Take meal at regular times during the whole day and avoid skipping meals
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Eating foods that are lower in salt, sugar, calories and saturated and trans fats
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Taking healthy food portions, such as fill half a plate with non-starchy vegetables, a quarter of plate with lean protein, and last quarter with starch or grain
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Keep a note of drink, food, and physical activity to help remain on track
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Drink plenty of water and avoid or limit sodas, fruit juices, and alcohol
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Limit sugary or sweet foods and take raw fruits instead
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Maintaining or achieving a healthy BMI (body mass index)
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Getting quality sleep at least 6-8 hours daily
Summary
Stress releases certain types of hormones, which can increase blood sugar. Stress for a long period of time can cause high blood sugar, which can result in various health problems.
Healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and practicing relaxation, can help manage stress as well as blood sugar levels.
In this article we have discussed how stress can cause high blood sugar levels in people that do not have diabetes, and the ways to manage stress as well as blood sugar levels.
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