What is the dawn phenomenon for diabetics?

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The dawn phenomenon, also called the dawn effect, is the term used to describe an abnormal early-morning increase in blood sugar (glucose) — usually between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. — in people with diabetes.



Accordingly, how is dawn phenomenon treated in diabetes?

Some steps people with diabetes can take to manage the dawn phenomenon include:

  1. talking to a doctor about changing or adjusting their medication.
  2. eating regular meals.
  3. taking all their medication doses.
  4. avoiding carbohydrates around bedtime.
  5. taking medication closer to bedtime rather than at dinner time.

Also, what is dawn phenomenon in type 1 diabetes? The dawn phenomenon is the normal tendency of the blood glucose to rise in the early morning before breakfast. This rise, which may result from the nocturnal spikes in growth hormone that cause insulin resistance, is probably enhanced by increased hepatic gluconeogenesis secondary to the diurnal rise in serum cortisol.

Also to know, how do you get rid of dawn phenomenon?

How to manage dawn phenomenon

  1. Take medication or insulin at bedtime instead of at dinnertime.
  2. Eat dinner earlier in the evening.
  3. Get some exercise after dinner.
  4. Avoid snacks that contain carbohydrates at bedtime.

Is dawn phenomenon normal?

A physician needs to adjust the medications to properly control the flow of sugar out of the liver. The Dawn Phenomenon, or higher blood sugars during fasting does not mean you are doing anything wrong. It's a normal occurrence. The Dawn Phenomenon is simply moving sugar from body stores (liver) into the blood.

39 Related Question Answers Found

What is the dawn phenomenon for type 2 diabetes?

The dawn phenomenon refers to a spontaneous rise in blood glucose that occurs at the end of the night in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes; this does not occur in individuals without diabetes, because endogenously produced insulin prevents this.

What is a good blood sugar level in the morning?

What we call fasting blood sugar or blood glucose levels is usually done six to eight hours after the last meal. So it's most commonly done before breakfast in the morning; and the normal range there is 70 to 100 milligrams per deciliter.

What is the best thing for a diabetic to eat before bed?

Try one the following healthful snacks before bed to help manage blood sugar levels and satisfy nighttime hunger:
  • A handful of nuts.
  • A hard-boiled egg.
  • Low-fat cheese and whole-wheat crackers.
  • Baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, or cucumber slices.
  • Celery sticks with hummus.
  • Air-popped popcorn.
  • Roasted chickpeas.

Why is my blood sugar so high when I wake up?

High blood sugar in the morning may be caused by the Somogyi effect, a condition also called "rebound hyperglycemia." It also may be caused by dawn phenomenon, which is the end result of a combination of natural body changes.

How can I lower my blood sugar in the morning?


Treating High Morning Blood Sugar
  1. Adjust your pump. If you're testing high regularly and you use an insulin pump, you might be able to program it to help manage your morning highs.
  2. Check blood sugar before bed.
  3. Take basal insulin.
  4. Adjust medication.
  5. Have a healthy pre-bed snack.
  6. Increase physical activity.

What causes blood sugar to rise without eating?

Some forms of alcohol, like beer and hard cider, contain a lot of carbohydrates, which can cause your blood sugar to spike, Dr. Wallia says. Drinking heavily without eating can also block your liver from releasing stored glucose into your bloodstream and cause low blood sugar, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Does dawn phenomenon wake you up?

The dawn phenomenon refers to a rise in blood sugar released by the liver. The release happens as the person's body is preparing to wake for the day. The body normally uses insulin to cope with this rise in blood sugar. As a result, the person will feel the effects of having high sugar levels in the blood.

Is your blood sugar higher in the morning?

A person usually has slightly higher blood sugar — or glucoselevels in the morning. But, in some people with diabetes, these levels are significantly high. Diabetes can cause persistent symptoms that get worse over time, due to these blood sugar spikes.

What time does dawn phenomenon start?

The dawn phenomenon, also called the dawn effect, is the term used to describe an abnormal early-morning increase in blood sugar (glucose) — usually between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. — in people with diabetes.

What is a normal blood sugar 2 hours after eating?


What Are Normal Blood Sugar Levels? They're less than 100 mg/dL after not eating (fasting) for at least 8 hours. And they're less than 140 mg/dL 2 hours after eating. During the day, levels tend to be at their lowest just before meals.

What is a good blood sugar level for a type 2 diabetes?

The American Diabetes Association recommends aiming for a blood sugar level between 70 to 130 mg/dl before meals and less than 180 mg/dl one to two hours after a meal. To keep your blood sugar within this range, follow a healthy, well-rounded diet and eat meals and snacks on a consistent schedule.

How is dawn phenomenon treated?

How is dawn phenomenon treated? Typically dawn phenomenon is treated by avoiding intake of carbohydrates at bedtime, adjusting how much insulin or medication is administered, switching to other medications or using an insulin pump.

What should your a1c be if you are over 65?

"Avoid using medications to achieve hemoglobin A1c <7.5% in most adults age 65 and older; moderate control is generally better. There is no evidence that using medications to achieve tight glycemic control in older adults with type 2 diabetes is beneficial.

Can you use the same lancet twice?

Over time, you'll find the right pressure to apply. The lancet device offers the possibility of adjusting the depth of skin penetration. Never use the same lancet twice. Reusing lancets has many disadvantages, such as increasing the risk of pain and infection.

What is the highest blood sugar level that is safe?


Yes, there is a safe blood sugar level. It is the optimum range that safely provides the body with adequate amounts of energy. For the average person, it is 70 to 105 mg/dl in a fasting state. (Diabetes is diagnosed when the fasting blood glucose level is at or above 126 mg/dl.)

What is the normal sugar level?

Normal blood sugar levels are less than 100 mg/dL after not eating (fasting) for at least eight hours. And they're less than 140 mg/dL two hours after eating. During the day, levels tend to be at their lowest just before meals.

Does dawn phenomenon affect a1c?

The dawn phenomenon is not necessarily something that needs to be fixed. It's important to keep in mind that even though your fasting glucose may be elevated, you may have lower or normal glucose values throughout the rest of the day. Because HbA1c is a measure of your blood glucose over the last 3 months.