Why Does My Blood Sugar Fluctuate So Much? Causes

Whether diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or have been living with it for some time, you are probably aware of how volatile blood sugar levels can be and how critical it is to keep them under control.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), proper blood sugar control is critical for avoiding potential diabetic complications such as kidney disease, nerve damage, eye issues, stroke, and heart disease. However, managing factors that affect blood sugar can be difficult.

Even if you watch what you eat and take prescribed medications, your blood sugar will fluctuate due to uncontrollable factors.

What can cause blood sugar fluctuations?

Factors that increase blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) include:

• Caffeine
• Dairy
• Junk food
• Artificial sweeteners
• Dry fruits
• Stress
• Dehydration
• Insufficient sleep (or sleep apnea)
• Cold medicines
• Steroids
• Dawn phenomenon (increase in blood sugar after prolonged fasting)

Factors that lower blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) include:

• Protein-rich foods
• Vegan diet
• Skipping meals
• Fasting
• Increasing physical activity without adjusting medications
• Taking too much insulin or diabetes medication
• Drinking alcohol

How can you stop the blood sugar rollercoaster?

If your blood sugar swings from too high to too low like a rollercoaster, you should monitor your glucose levels before and after meals and activities to determine the cause of fluctuations.

Factors that impact blood sugar levels include:

• What you eat
• How long ago you ate
• Initial blood glucose level
• Physical activity
• Stress
• Sickness
• Sleep habits

Using insulin to treat high blood sugar can lead to overcompensation and low blood sugar after 1-2 hours. Low blood sugar can cause overeating and a spike in blood sugar again. These fluctuations can make you feel sluggish and harm your long-term health.

A blood sugar rollercoaster can be caused by:

• Avoiding refined carbs: When diagnosed with diabetes, it may be difficult to make significant changes in your eating pattern. Additionally, you may not know the blood sugar spikes that refined carbs can cause. Limit eating and drinking foods with refined sugars and grains. Mixing fiber-rich foods like chia seeds may help control blood sugar.
• Monitoring physical activity: Different types of physical activity affect your body differently, especially at various times of the day. Exercise can cause rapid changes in blood sugar levels. Monitor your own reactions to exercise to determine how it affects your blood glucose levels.
• Managing stress: Stress triggers your body to release glucose-raising chemicals like adrenaline. Cortisol circulating in your bloodstream during times of anxiety or unhappiness makes your muscles more resistant to insulin. Finding ways to de-stress can prevent blood sugar fluctuations.

QUESTION

What is hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels fall below 4 mmol/L (72 mg/dL). However, some individuals may experience symptoms even at blood sugar levels of 75 mg/dL.

While many think of diabetes as high blood sugar levels, sometimes medication can cause blood sugar to drop too low, which can be deadly.

Understanding the early signs of hypoglycemia can help control blood glucose levels.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia

• Sweating
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Increased hunger
• Paleness
• Increased heart rate
• Blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Coma in severe cases

Causes of hypoglycemia

Medication is the most common cause of hypoglycemia in people with diabetes, but other factors can increase the risk:

• High pharmaceutical dosage (insulin or hypo causing tablets)
• Delayed meals
• Intermittent fasting
• Exercise
• Alcohol

Treatment of hypoglycemia

Minor cases of hypoglycemia can be treated with 15-20 g of fast-acting carbs, like glucose tablets, candy, or fruit juice.

A blood test should be performed after 15-20 minutes to determine if blood glucose levels have returned to normal. Severe hypoglycemia may require immediate medical attention, for example, if you lose consciousness or have a seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes.

What is hyperglycemia?

Hyperglycemia occurs when people with diabetes have abnormally high sugar levels. The World Health Organization defines it as:

• Levels of blood glucose more than 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) while fasting
• Levels of blood glucose more than 11.0 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) 2 hours after eating

Symptoms of hyperglycemia

• Increased hunger
• Frequent urination
• Frequent thirst
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Blurred vision

Causes of hyperglycemia

The underlying cause of hyperglycemia is typically the loss of insulin-producing cells or insulin resistance. Immediate causes of hyperglycemia include:

• Missing a diabetes medication dosage
• Consuming more carbs than your body and/or medicine can handle
• Mental or emotional stress
• Infection

Complications of hypoglycemia

Hyperglycemia can be dangerous and cause life-threatening complications:

• Diabetic ketoacidosis: Ketoacidosis affects patients with type 1 diabetes but can also affect certain persons with type 2 diabetes who are insulin dependent. If blood glucose levels climb beyond 15 mmol/L (270 mg/dL), the risk of ketoacidosis increases significantly.
• If an insulin dosage is missed or if you are sick, you are more likely to develop ketoacidosis.
• If blood glucose levels remain exceedingly high, above 33 mmol/L (600 mg/dL) for a lengthy period, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome can occur.
• Having high blood glucose levels for longer periods raises the risk of permanent damage to the eyes, nerves, kidneys, and blood vessels.
• Maintaining a HbA1c level of 48 mmol/mol (6.5 percent) or lower will reduce the chances of acquiring diabetic complications.

Treatment of hyperglycemia

If experiencing symptoms of hyperglycemia, follow recommendations given by your care team to lower blood sugar levels.

You may be instructed to:

• Avoid foods that raise blood sugar levels
• Increase fluid intake and switch to sugar-free drinks
• Exercise more frequently
• Adjust insulin dosage as required

You may also be recommended to keep a closer eye on your blood sugar levels or have your blood or urine tested for ketones.

Keep an eye out for any other symptoms that may indicate a more serious problem.

Keep an eye out for any other symptoms that may indicate a more serious problem.