Diabetes symptoms: What is the 3 am blood sugar phenomenon?

Most diabetic patients wake up almost every night at the same time, around 3 pm, not by some noise or anything else, but because of the sudden spike in the blood sugar level.

Here's why this happens:

​The dawn phenomenon

The body starts using stored glucose to prepare for the upcoming day. At the same time, the liver releases extra glucose in the bloodstream. While these events are happening, your diabetes medication doses taken a day before start to wear off. All these phenomena together lead to a rise in the blood sugar level in the morning.

The Somogyi effect

The second cause of high blood sugar in the morning is due to the Somogyi effect This happens when your blood sugar level drops too low in the middle of the night the liver releases some extra glucose to which leads to a high blood sugar level in the morning.

​How to tell the difference

One of the easiest ways to find out if the spike in the blood sugar level is due to the Somogyi effect is to check blood sugar levels at bedtime and after waking up. If the blood sugar level is low at night then it is due to the Somogyi effect. In case it is normal or high it can be due to the dawn phenomenon.

​How to control the blood sugar level in the morning

For dawn phenomenon:

• Changing the timing or type of your diabetes medications
• Eating a lighter breakfast
• Increasing your morning dose of medication

For Somogyi effect:

• Decreasing the dose of diabetes medications at night

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/diabetes-symptoms-what-is-the-3-am-blood-sugar-phenomenon/photostory/86010449.cms