The Link Between Stress and Diabetes
Stress is a strong force, and although we typically associate it with mood swings, it can also significantly impact our physical health, including blood sugar regulation. Our insulin levels decrease when stress hormones are released, which may increase blood sugar. Those who have diabetes or pre-diabetes may find this to be especially dangerous.
The Relationship Between Blood Sugar and Stress
Most of us link food like consuming excessive sugar or carbohydrates to blood sugar spikes. However, various factors, such as heat and sun exposure, malnutrition, and dehydration, can impact how our bodies control blood sugar. Stress—which includes bad life circumstances, sickness, and sleep deprivation—also plays a role in blood sugar regulation.
When you are under stress, your body goes into “stress response” mode. This triggers the release of several hormones, including cortisol. Cortisol significantly impacts our bodies, particularly our immune systems, metabolism, and inflammatory response.
Stress can have the following effects:
- Raise cortisol levels, which affect how our bodies metabolise sugar
- Raise glucose (blood sugar) levels
- Inhibit insulin release, which controls blood sugar
- Modify our body’s sensitivity to insulin release
- increase our body’s resistance to insulin.
In addition, eating poorly, skipping meals, and sleeping poorly are all more likely to occur during stressful times and can aggravate problems with uncontrolled blood sugar.
Risk Factors
Risk factors include a history of depression, ongoing work-related stress, early life trauma, and a tendency to respond to stress with poor dietary choices, decreased physical activity, and missed medication intake for diabetes, which may raise your chance of developing a blood sugar problem linked to stress.
Blood Sugar and Stress Complications
Stress and blood sugar fluctuations can both harm a person’s health and well-being.
Stress can:
- Make it harder for you to control your blood pressure and raise your risk of heart problems if you have diabetes.
- Make it harder for you to carry out your regular activities related to blood sugar regulation and wear down your body.
- Cause a spike in blood sugar, an increase in heart rate, and blood pressure. You may experience symptoms like depression or exhaustion if you have a spike in blood pressure due to stress. Your blood pressure can drop too low, making you agitated, nervous, and jittery.
Blood sugar fluctuations are not only uncomfortable but can be harmful. If any of the following symptoms apply to you and you have diabetes, be sure to get in touch with your doctor immediately:
- Rapid breathing and racing heart
- Dry lips and skin
- Increased frequency of urination or thirst over days;
- Fruity-smelling breath
- Flushed skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach discomfort
- Headache
- Tense, achy muscles
- isolation raises high blood pressure risk, particularly in women.
Diagnosing Stress
People are not typically diagnosed with stress. Many of us occasionally find ourselves in this fairly common emotional and mood state. Stress is a common reaction to challenging life situations, such as relationships, the workplace, or responses to global events.
On the other hand, chronic stress can occasionally occur, and in such instances, a stress disorder diagnosis may be made. Acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are two prevalent types of stress disorders. Both of these conditions are stress reactions brought on by traumatic events; however, PTSD is diagnosed when the stress lasts longer than a month, whereas acute stress disorder is diagnosed within roughly a month of the event.
Diagnosing Diabetes
To receive a diagnosis of diabetes or pre-diabetes, see an endocrinologist or a physician. Blood Many tests are available to diagnose diabetes, including:
- The A1c test (a blood test)
- Random plasma glucose test
- Fasting plasma glucose test
Managing Blood Sugar and Stress
The good news is that blood sugar problems and stress are both treatable. Typically, psychotherapy and stress-reduction methods are used to treat stress.
Medication for diabetes is used in conjunction with dietary, lifestyle, and exercise modifications.
Treatment for Diabetes
If you have been given a diabetes diagnosis, you must take insulin, a drug that helps your body control blood sugar. Additionally, you must monitor your blood sugar levels at home.
You must also maintain a diet high in fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and protein and low in sugar and carbs. You’ll probably be told to lose weight if you’re overweight. You’ll need to monitor your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. If you have diabetes, you should give up smoking.
Treatment for Stress
A variety of therapeutic approaches can help you manage your emotions and respond to stress more balanced and healthfully if you are going through stressful times.
The most effective forms of therapy for stress include:
- Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy
- Eye movement desensitisation resolution (EMDR)
Coping with Blood Sugar and Stress
Yes, stress is stressful! Additionally, having low blood sugar makes stress worse. The good news is that you can control your blood sugar with minor lifestyle adjustments and seek help when necessary.
Lifestyle
The following lifestyle modifications can help you reduce blood sugar and stress:
- Try mindfulness and meditation
- Make it a point to get enough sleep every night
- Stay hydrated
- Eat regular meals containing whole foods rather than processed foods
- Set aside some time each day to relax your mind
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
- Exercise regularly
- Take mental health days off when you can
- Learn to say no to obligations when you feel overwhelmed.
Discovering that your blood sugar fluctuates in response to stress can be upsetting. Please remember that this is common, and there are simple and effective solutions. Most importantly, you should contact your doctor if you notice changes in your blood sugar readings. If you are having difficulty managing your stress levels, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a therapist or counsellor.
Click www.hopetrustindia.com for an online appointment with a therapist.