It’s normal to have high blood glucose levels in the morning. This is partly due to the hormonal changes that place in the body. If you don’t have diabetes, high blood sugar levels don’t usually pose as a problem for you at all, as the elevated blood glucose levels are offset by the increased production of insulin.
Also, blood sugar levels are higher in the morning to fuel the morning’s exertions, so if you are at all active you will need some of this stored energy.
However, people with diabetes, may have high blood sugar levels in the morning as their medications may be causing their blood sugar levels to become too low during the night. This can then predispose them to high blood sugar levels early in the morning – an effect known as the Somogyi Effect.
The Somogyi Effect Vs The Dawn Phenomenon
Now you might be saying to yourself how can that be? After all isn’t having high blood sugar levels in the morning called ‘the dawn phenomenon’? Let’s see how they are different, yet give the same outcome.
The Somogyi effect is also referred to by some experts as rebound hyperglycemia. Compared to the dawn phenomenon, which is caused by the ‘natural’ processes that take place in the body, the Somogyi effect is a ‘man-made’ effect.
The Somogyi effect is an occurrence that can be prevented or even avoided if your diabetes is managed correctly.
What Causes The Somogyi Effect?
This effect may occur as a result of your blood glucose levels dropping too low during the night, thereby triggering the body to release hormones that help increase the levels of blood sugar – and this occurrence can be caused by taking too much insulin before you retire for bed.
It can also be caused by not having enough food ingested, as part of your evening snack. Another reason for the occurrence of the Somogyi effect to occur, is if the dosage administration of a long-acting insulin was taken just before bedtime, wasn’t the right dosage amount.
All these issues would cause the result of waking up with a high level of glucose in the blood.
How to Prevent and Manage the Somogyi Effect
When treating people who are experiencing the Somogyi effect, the health care professional’s main goal is to prevent hypoglycemia. Some ways to manage the Somogyi effect are the following:
- Make adjustments regarding the time of insulin administration.
- Make adjustments in the insulin dosage taken at bedtime.
- You may also ask your doctor if it is possible to change the type of insulin that you use.
- Remember to eat a snack when taking insulin in the evening.
- Make it a habit to exercise on a regular basis.
- Manage your stress levels and reduce as much as possible.
Some doctors recommend the use of a CGM – Continuous Glucose Monitoring System – in order to better manage the Somogyi effect. A CGM is a device that can alert the patient to changes in their blood glucose levels, such as if hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia occurs.
