High blood sugar levels in the morning: Causes, testing, and treatment

Most people have slightly higher blood sugar levels in the morning, but these can be significantly higher in some people with diabetes. Hormonal fluctuations and waning insulin are possible reasons.

Diabetes is a condition that impairs the body’s ability to process blood glucose. Without careful management, blood sugar levels can become too high, which is known as hyperglycemia. Long periods of high blood sugar levels can result in health complications.

Even when a person carefully controls the condition, they may notice blood sugar spikes in the morning. There are three main causes of high blood sugar in the morning:

• the dawn phenomenon
• waning insulin levels
• the Somogyi effect

It is important to note that this article refers to effects experienced in the morning, but these effects may occur anytime a person sleeps for a long period. People who work at night and sleep during the day can also experience these effects.

In this article, we will explore these causes, including what they can mean for a person’s health and when to see a doctor.

The dawn phenomenon refers to periods of hyperglycemia that occur during the early morning hours. The shift in blood sugar levels happens as a result of hormonal changes in the body.

Hormones, such as cortisol, glucagon, epinephrine, and growth hormone are known as counter-regulatory hormones. They can cause blood sugar levels to rise. The activity of cortisol and growth hormone normally increases each day to stimulate the liver to produce glucose at dawn.

This is why everyone experiences a slight rise in their blood glucose levels to some extent in the morning. A person without diabetes will not experience adverse effects, as their body can produce insulin to adjust. However, a person with diabetes is unable to produce sufficient or effective insulin. As such, this can cause a spike in their blood sugar levels and may require treatment to adjust their levels.

When the dawn phenomenon occurs, it may coincide with when nighttime levels of insulin begin to taper off. Reasons for the drop in insulin can vary. However, it often occurs when a person administers too little basal insulin, or when they inject it too early, causing its effects to wear off earlier than desired.

Different types of insulin work at different speeds and durations. Most types reach a peak when they are most effective. After the peak, the insulin’s effect begins to wear off. If people notice their blood glucose increasing overnight, then they may need to adjust their basal insulin and increase the dosage.

Some scientists believe there is another cause of high blood sugar in the morning: the Somogyi effect, also called rebound hyperglycemia. Named after Dr. Michael Somogyi, this theory suggests that blood sugar levels rise in response to a bout of late night hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This could occur if a person administers too much insulin or does not eat enough food before bed.

Not all experts agree on the Somogyi effect, and the scientific community still debates the theory. However, a 2015 study shows that the Somogyi effect was the most common cause of fasting hyperglycemia in individuals with type 1 diabetes and poor glycemic control.

If a person begins to notice a frequent occurrence of morning hyperglycemia, then they should check their blood sugar levels at bedtime, in the middle of the night, and upon waking to better understand their glucose patterns and identify the cause.

A person can use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to help them track and monitor their blood glucose throughout the night and day. This wearable medical device can collect data on a person’s blood sugar levels while they sleep.

Treatment options will vary depending on the data the CGM or individual glucose checks provide. By tracking when the highs and lows occur, a doctor will be able to recommend suitable strategies.

If the data shows that a person has high blood sugar at bedtime, then it is likely that food and medication are responsible. If a person has hyperglycemia before they sleep, it can persist until morning. Either a large meal close to bedtime or using too little insulin may be the cause. A person can adjust this by changing what and when they eat and slightly increasing their insulin dosage.

If a person is within their target range at bedtime but wakes with high blood sugar, they may be using too little basal medication or using it too early. Changing the timing of the long-acting dose, switching to a twice-daily basal insulin, or using an ultra-long-acting basal insulin may be beneficial.

Data demonstrating that a person has high blood sugar between roughly 3–8 a.m. suggests the dawn phenomenon. In this case, a doctor may recommend that a person does not increase their long-acting insulin, as this could cause hypoglycemia during the night. It may be advisable to consider an insulin pump, as a person can program it to automatically deliver more insulin in the early morning hours.

Some research also indicates that the following lifestyle changes may help control morning glucose levels.

• exercising in the evening
• increasing the proportion of protein to carbohydrates in the evening meal
• eating breakfast every day

Anyone who experiences high blood sugar levels in the morning should speak with a healthcare provider, who will identify an effective way to manage these levels.

If a person does not receive appropriate treatment, regularly experiencing high morning glucose levels can increase their risk of:

• insulin resistance
• cardiovascular disease
• more rapid disease progression

It is important for a person with diabetes to be aware that their blood sugar levels may rise in the morning and to receive treatment if this occurs.

If high glucose levels persist and get worse, complications can arise. For example, in people with type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance will increase, and the condition can progress more rapidly, which can increase the risk of potential health complications.

High Blood Sugar in the Morning: what to do

• February 10, 2021

The facts are clear: many with diabetes experience high blood sugar in the morning. Indeed, this occurs for more than half of people with diabetes, according to this study.

What’s less clear is why this happens: there are a couple of different theories. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t do something about it.

You can find out what steps to take right here! And – since it is a fascinating curiosity – you can use this blog post to build your knowledge on blood sugar, along with our related posts: Low Blood Sugar at Night and High Blood Sugar at Night.

Signs of high Blood Sugar in the Morning

High blood sugar is significant when it’s too high. That’s when it’s called hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is usually defined as above 126 mg/dL or 7.0 mmol/L in a period of fasting (before eating). This will be the clearest sign of high blood sugar in the morning.

Before breakfast, you usually would have had a period of at least eight hours without eating (because you’re sleeping). As such, hyperglycemia during a period of fasting is particularly important here: you’ll know that the high blood sugar wasn’t caused by any recent meals.

Other signs of high blood sugar in the morning will be the usual symptoms of hyperglycemia:

• Nausea
• Feeling faint or weak
• Thirst
• Tiredness
• Blurred vision
• Increased urination

Of course, it’s normal to feel somewhat groggy and thirsty when waking. It’s important to distinguish between hyperglycemia and the I-hate-Mondays morning tiredness. And the best way to do that is to test your blood sugar.

Why is my Blood Sugar high in the Morning?

High blood sugar in the morning is mysterious to the extent that it may be a “phenomenon”. Specifically: the dawn phenomenon.

This is where hormones (like adrenaline) are released in the early hours of the morning. In turn, the hormones make the liver release its store of glycogen (which becomes glucose), thus raising blood sugar levels.

It’s not exactly known why this happens, but these hormones are usually released to give extra energy. So, the theory is that the body releases extra glucose in order to give you extra energy to wake up and start the day.

Obviously, this extra glucose doesn’t help those with diabetes, but at least the body’s trying. It’s the thought that counts, right?

There may also be another potential reason for high blood sugar in the morning: the Somogyi phenomenon (it’s a Hungarian name, in case you were wondering). This can occur as a result of insulin use.

It’s theorised that taking insulin before bed can cause the body to have a rebound effect whilst sleeping. If insulin continues to lower blood sugar during sleep, and it’s not being treated, then the body responds in stress mode: it releases hormones (like adrenaline again) to trigger a rise in blood sugar levels.

But for those with diabetes, this doesn’t stabilise the blood sugar. That extra glucose can’t be used without diabetes medication, and so, the blood sugar gets too high instead.

There could be other reasons for high blood sugar in the morning, such as too many carbs before bed or requiring a different level of insulin. We can look at what to do about that in a moment.

How to Lower Blood Sugar in the Morning

As with any time of the day, lowering blood sugar will usually mean taking medication.

If you’re taking other medication for diabetes, just make sure you’re taking the right amount at the right time of day. With insulin, you might want to use insulin to lower your blood sugar back to a stable level.

To figure out how much insulin you might need, you can let Hedia assist you in your calculations. Tell Hedia what your blood sugar level is, and the insulin calculator will take your basal insulin into account.

If you’ll be having breakfast soon after waking, you’ll probably want to include that in your calculation. If you have a favourite breakfast that you eat most mornings, you can add that to your favourites in Hedia’s food database for a quick add. Find out more by getting Hedia from the App Store or from Google Play!

On the topic of breakfast, it may be worth considering a low-carb breakfast, so as not to push those blood sugar levels even higher.

Regardless of what you’re eating, Christel Oerum from Diabetes Strong points out the importance of eating any kind of breakfast. Having regular mealtimes that give you the energy that you need throughout the day ought to allow you more stable blood sugar without the adrenaline swings.

How to Prevent Morning Hyperglycemia

While morning hyperglycemia could be the body’s automatic response, you can certainly take steps to try to prevent it.

General steps

You could try some general steps that could help lower blood sugar in the night, such as eating your evening meals earlier in the day or having fewer carbs in your evening meal.

Alternatively, you could consider doing exercise in the evening, such as a brisk walk before bed. You might also consider changing your medication doses for the night or changing the type of insulin you use. As always, make such changes in consultation with your healthcare professional.

Dawn phenomenon

If you think that the high blood sugar might be caused by the dawn phenomenon, then try to make sure that you are well-rested. If your body is getting enough rest, with a full eight hours of sleep, then it might not think that it needs to release that extra energy. More generally, stress and diabetes leads to higher blood sugar levels – so it is worth getting enough sleep. 

Somogyi phenomenon

With the Somogyi phenomenon, you’ll want to take the opposite steps because you want to prevent low blood sugar during the night. It may seem somewhat counterintuitive, but you might need to take less insulin, or eat more carbs, or do less exercise before bed.

It can be difficult to determine what caused your morning high blood sugar. And so, many of these steps will be trial-and-error until you find the right fit for you. Make sure to seek advice from your healthcare professional when going through this trial-and-error.

Last but not least, keep checking your blood sugar levels before bed: that’s the best way to get an idea of what your blood sugar is up to. If you want to be a real detective, you could try setting an alarm to wake you in the night in order to find out what your blood sugar level would be when you are sleeping.

No more high Blood Sugar in the Morning

It’s important to recognise that morning hyperglycemia is fairly normal: it’s usually your body trying to get you ready for the day (bless its cotton socks).

But you can help your body help itself by trying out some changes in your routine or medication. And Hedia wants to help you to help your body to help itself! Give yourself a good morning by visiting the App Store and Google Play ☀️

Type 1 diabetes

Blood sugar monitoring
Depending on whether you are on twice-daily injections, multiple daily injections, or an insulin pump, you may need to monitor your blood sugar and record your results at least four times a day. day, and usually more often. The American Diabetes Association recommends testing your blood sugar before meals, before bed, before exercising or driving, and if you suspect you have low blood sugar. Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure your blood sugar stays within your target range. Be sure to wash your hands before checking your blood sugar.
Even if you take insulin and follow a strict diet, your blood sugar levels can fluctuate unpredictably. With the help of your diabetes management team, you will learn how blood sugar changes in response to food intake, physical activity, disease, medications, stress, hormonal changes and alcohol.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring is the newest way to control your blood sugar levels. It may be especially helpful in preventing hypoglycemia. In addition, people over 25 have been shown to have lower levels of HbA1c when using a continuous glucose monitoring system.
A continuous glucose monitoring device is attached to the skin in the abdomen. Using a thin needle that is inserted under the skin, the device measures the level of glucose in the blood every few minutes. This method is not yet a standard way to control blood sugar levels, so it does not replace standard blood tests, but rather is an additional tool for some people.

Healthy eating and counting carbohydrate units in food
Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a diabetes diet. However, it is important that the diet consists mainly of low-fat, high-fiber foods such as:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grains

Nutritionists recommend eating fewer animal products and refined carbohydrates , such as white bread and sweets, to all people, even those who do not have diabetes.
You need to learn how to count the number of carbohydrate units in the foods you eat so that you can inject enough insulin to absorb those carbohydrates. A dietitian can help you create a meal plan that fits your goals, food preferences, and lifestyle.

Physical activity
Everyone needs regular aerobic exercise, and people with type 1 diabetes are no exception. First you need to get a doctor’s approval, then choose the types of physical activity that you enjoy, such as walking, swimming, and cycling. Make physical activity a part of your daily routine. Try to get at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week. Children should have at least an hour of physical activity per day. Flexibility exercises and strength training are also very important. If you haven’t been active for a while, start exercising slowly and gradually build up the intensity.
Remember that physical activity lowers your blood sugar levels, often long after you’ve finished your activity. If you are starting a new activity, check your blood sugar more often than usual until you understand how it affects your blood sugar activity. You may need to adjust your meal frequency or insulin dose to compensate for your increased activity. When using an insulin pump, you can set a temporary basal rate to help prevent low blood sugar levels. Ask your doctor to show you how.

Different situations
Certain life circumstances require different behavioral strategies.

• Driving. Hypoglycemia can occur at any time, even when you are driving. It is advisable to check your blood sugar every time you drive. If o is below 70 mg/dl (3.9 mmol/l), you should have a snack and then repeat the test again after 15 minutes to make sure that the sugar level has risen to a safe level. Low blood sugar makes it difficult to concentrate or react quickly to the situation on the road.
• At work. In the past, people with type 1 diabetes were often unable to engage in activities because they had diabetes. Fortunately, advances in diabetes management and anti-discrimination legislation have made such cases rarer. However, type 1 diabetes can present some challenges in the workplace. For example, if your job involves driving or operating heavy machinery, hypoglycemia can be a serious danger to you and those around you. You should be able to take a quick break during the day to check your blood sugar levels. In addition, you should always have food and drinks on hand to prevent low blood sugar levels. A number of federal and state laws govern the obligations of an employer in relation to a person with diabetes.
• Pregnancy. Since the risk of pregnancy complications is higher in women with type 1 diabetes, experts recommend that women plan pregnancy. The HbA1c level should be no higher than 7%. Some drugs, such as blood pressure and cholesterol lowering drugs, are contraindicated during pregnancy. The risk of fetal malformations increases in women with type 1 diabetes, especially when diabetes is poorly controlled during the first 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy, so pregnancy planning is critical. Careful disease management during pregnancy can reduce the risk of complications.
• Age. As long as you are still active and have normal cognitive abilities, your diabetes management goals are likely to be the same as they were when you were younger. But for those who are weak, ill, or have cognitive deficits, tight control of blood sugar is not an option. If you are caring for someone with type 1 diabetes, ask his or her doctor what the new blood sugar and HbA1c targets are.

Experimental treatments

• Pancreas transplantation. With a successful pancreas transplant, you will no longer need insulin, but these operations are always associated with a high risk. To prevent transplant rejection, you will have to take powerful immune-suppressing drugs for the rest of your life. They can have serious side effects, including a high risk of infection, and cause organ damage. Because the side effects can be more dangerous than the diabetes itself, pancreas transplantation is only done in exceptional cases where diabetes is very difficult to manage, or in people who also need a kidney transplant.
• Islet cell transplantation. Researchers are exploring the possibility of islet cell transplantation from a donor pancreas. Although this experimental technique has been plagued by problems in the past, new technologies and better drugs to prevent islet rejection may improve the chances of success.

Islet cell transplantation still requires the use of immunosuppressive drugs. And just like it did with its own islet cells, the body often destroys the transplanted cells, so you have to go back to insulin injections. In addition, difficulties in obtaining donor islet cells hinder the spread of the method.
Researchers are developing new ways to protect islet cells from the immune system, for which clinical trials may soon begin, such as encapsulating individual groups of islet cells, or covering them with a “shield” that will protect them from cells of the immune system, but allow blood and oxygen to enter.

• Stem cell transplantation. In a 2007 study, a small number of people who were first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes were able to stop using insulin for up to five years after being treated with stem cells derived from their own blood. Although stem cell transplantation may be associated with some risks, in the future this method may be more widely used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.

Signs of problems
Despite your best efforts, you will sometimes have trouble controlling your disease. Some complications of type 1 diabetes, such as hypoglycemia, require emergency care.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This condition occurs when your blood sugar drops below your target range. Ask your doctor what counts as low blood sugar for you. Blood sugar levels can drop for many reasons, including skipping meals, increasing physical activity, and injecting too much insulin.
Learn the symptoms of hypoglycemia, and check your blood sugar if you think you have hypoglycemia. When in doubt, it is always best to check your sugar levels. Early signs of hypoglycemia include:

• Excessive sweating
• Trembling
• Feeling of hunger
• Dizziness
• Rapid and irregular heartbeat
• Marked weakness
• Headache
• Visual impairment
• Irritability

If hypoglycemia persists, symptoms may appear that can sometimes be mistaken for alcohol intoxication in adolescents and adults:

• Lethargy
• Confusion
• incoordination
• Seizures

If hypoglycemia develops at night, you may wake up in sweaty pajamas or with a headache. Due to the so-called rebound effect (rebound effect), nocturnal hypoglycemia can lead to a significant increase in blood sugar levels in the morning.

If you have low blood sugar:

• Eat 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates (fruit juice, glucose tablets, candy, sugary drink, or other source of sugar). Foods with added fat, such as chocolate or ice cream, do not raise blood sugar levels as quickly because fat slows down the absorption of sugar.
• Check your blood sugar after about 15 minutes to make sure it’s normal.
• If it is still low, eat another 15-20 grams of carbohydrates in the form of juice, candy, glucose tablets, or another source of sugar and repeat the blood test in 15 minutes.
• Repeat these steps until your blood sugar levels are normal for you.

Eat carbohydrates with fats, such as peanut butter with crackers, to help stabilize your blood sugar.

If you cannot measure your blood sugar quickly, correct the hypoglycemia first and then measure your blood sugar.

Always carry a source of fast carbohydrates with you. Left untreated, low blood sugar can lead to loss of consciousness. If this happens, you may need an emergency injection of glucagon, a hormone that stimulates the release of sugar into the blood. Make sure you always have a glucagon emergency kit on hand – at home, at work, when you’re away – and make sure it’s not expired yet.

No obvious clinical signs of hypoglycemia. Some people may lose the ability to sense that their blood sugar levels are getting low as the overt clinical signs of hypoglycemia disappear. The body stops responding to low blood sugar with symptoms such as dizziness or headaches. The more frequent your episodes of hypoglycemia, the more likely it is that its clinical episodes will gradually disappear. The good news is that if you can avoid a hypoglycemic episode for a few weeks, the clinical symptoms will start to reappear.

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Blood sugar levels can rise for many reasons, including following a dietary error, insufficient insulin, or illness.

Possible symptoms are:

• Frequent urination
• Extreme thirst
• Visual disturbances
• Weakness
• Irritability
• Hunger
• Attention disorders

If you suspect that you have hyperglycemia, it is worth checking your blood sugar levels. You may need to adjust your diet or treatment plan. If your blood sugar is higher than your target range, you may need to give a “correction dose” – more insulin through a syringe or insulin pump to bring your blood sugar back down to normal levels. The decline in sugar levels is slower than the rise. Ask your doctor how long it takes to recheck your blood sugar. When using an insulin pump, occasional high blood sugar readings may mean that you need to reposition the pump.

If your blood sugar is above 240 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L), use a urine ketone test strip. Do not exercise if your blood sugar is above 240 mg/dl or if ketones are present in your urine. If trace or small amounts of ketones are found in the urine, try to drink more fluids to help flush out the ketones.

If your blood sugar is consistently above 300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L) despite a corrective dose of insulin, call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention.

Increased urinary ketones (diabetic ketoacidosis). If your cells don’t get glucose, they need an energy source. In this case, the body begins to break down fats for energy, which is accompanied by the formation of toxic acids known as ketones. This condition is called diabetic ketoacidosis and is life-threatening. Its signs include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Sweet, fruity breath
• Weight loss

If you suspect you have ketoacidosis, use a urine ketone test strip. If you have large amounts of ketones in your urine, see your doctor right away. Also, see your doctor if you have vomited several times and have ketones in your urine.

If you have type 1 diabetes, you will need to follow a treatment plan around the clock. This can be very difficult. But understand that your efforts are worthwhile. Carefully managing type 1 diabetes reduces the risk of serious and even life-threatening complications. Pay attention to the following tips:

• Make a commitment to manage your condition. Take your medications as directed. Learn everything you can about type 1 diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity a part of your daily routine. Work with your doctor, attend a diabetes school, and ask your diabetes care team for help when you need it.
• Wear an identification bracelet or badge that says you have type 1 diabetes. Keep a glucagon injection kit nearby in case of severe hypoglycemia and make sure your friends and family know how to use it.
• Get your annual physical exam and regular eye exams. Your regular check-ups with an endocrinologist are not a substitute for regular general medical check-ups and visits to an ophthalmologist. During the exam, your doctor will look for signs of any diabetes-related complications and will also screen you for other medical problems. Your ophthalmologist will check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts, and glaucoma.
• Get vaccinated regularly. High blood sugar can weaken your immune system. Get vaccinated against the flu every year. Your doctor can probably recommend a pneumonia vaccination.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends hepatitis B vaccination if you have not previously been vaccinated and you are an adult 19 to 59 years of age with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. They recommend starting vaccination as soon as possible after diagnosis. If you are over 60, have diabetes, and have not previously been vaccinated, discuss this with your doctor.
• Monitor your feet. Wash your feet daily in warm water, then dry them gently, especially between the toes. Moisturize your skin with lotion. Check your feet every day for blisters, cuts, sores, redness, or swelling. See your doctor if you have pain or other foot problems.
• Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Eating well and exercising regularly can control high blood pressure and cholesterol, but medication may also be needed
• If you smoke or use other forms of tobacco, talk to your doctor to stop. Smoking increases the risk of complications of diabetes, including myocardial infarction, stroke, nerve damage, and chronic kidney disease. According to the American Diabetes Association, among people with type 1 diabetes, smokers are three times more likely to die prematurely. Talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking or stop using other types of tobacco.
• If you drink alcohol, there are some rules to follow. Alcohol can cause your blood sugar levels to rise or fall, depending on how much you drink and eat at the same time. Drink alcohol only in moderation and always with meals. And don’t forget to check your blood sugar before bed.
• Control your stress. The hormones that are released in response to prolonged stress can interfere with the action of insulin, making your condition worse.
• Relax, set some limits. Set your priorities. Learn relaxation techniques. Get enough sleep.

When “sugar jumped” – Regional newspaper OGIRK.RU

More than 80 thousand residents of the Irkutsk region are diagnosed with diabetes. Although in 1976 less than 5 thousand people were ill with it. The disease is fraught with the most serious consequences, but with due attention to health, this is not a sentence. From 2023, schools for people with diabetes will operate on a permanent basis in the country, including in our region. Their main task is to improve the quality of life of patients and prevent complications.

Three chair disease

Experts call the situation with the spread of diabetes dramatic. There are more and more patients every year in all countries, and Russia is no exception. We now officially have this diagnosis confirmed in about 5 million people.

But doctors believe that the real figure is about 12-13 million. Recently, they conducted research in different cities, including. in Irkutsk. The people who participated in them did not even suspect that they had such a disease. These are those who suffer from the second type of diabetes. It has chronic hyperglycemia – high blood glucose levels.

– Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes – overweight, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, which include cholesterol. Genetics play a big role. If there are grandparents with diabetes in the family, the younger generations should think about and lead the right way of life. It is necessary to reduce the amount of easily digestible carbohydrates in the diet. Our daily life has changed. First, it’s stress. Secondly, physical activity has decreased. Diabetes mellitus is a disease of “three chairs”. We sit at work, in front of the TV and in the car0215 – states the chief freelance endocrinologist (adult) of the Ministry of Health of the Irkutsk region Tatyana Bardymova .

The incidence of diabetes in children is also on the rise. And, as a rule, the first type, when the patient needs insulin injections. In 2020, the disease was detected in 104 children, in 2021 – in 154, this year – in 124. In total, the diagnosis was confirmed in 869 minors in the region.

– Unfortunately, the incidence of morbidity in young children is now noted. This year, 20 kids under the age of four fell ill. The mechanism of development of type 1 diabetes is significantly different. This is where genetics comes into play. A child is born with a certain sequence of genes that are predisposed to developing the disease. And environmental factors act as triggers. Parents need to pay attention to the first signs of diabetes, when the child begins to weaken, lose weight, drink often and a lot, go to the toilet often. In this case, you need to take a blood test for sugar, consult a doctor. In type 1 diabetes, all children receive two types of insulin, – explained the chief freelance specialist endocrinologist (children’s) of the Ministry of Health of the Irkutsk region Lyudmila Kholmogorova .

Less candy, more movement

Diabetes is often diagnosed late. After all, high blood sugar “does not hurt.” Complaining is a complication. Diabetes is a medical and social disease. People with diabetes become disabled at a young, working age. The disease has a detrimental effect on the cardiovascular system: the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and vascular lesions of the lower extremities increases. Blindness may occur.

– For prevention, in addition to the normalization of nutrition, the use of less easily digestible fatty acids, you need to move more. And it is important to participate in medical examinations, and after 40 years – annually. It is carried out in polyclinics at the place of residence and usually does not take much time. Even at the stage of questioning a doctor, risk factors can be identified. Since the beginning of the year, during medical examinations in the region, about 25 thousand people were diagnosed with obesity, about 15 thousand with diabetes, – said the deputy chief physician of the Irkutsk Regional Center for Medical Prevention Sergey Belykh .

Experts agree that this diagnosis in itself is not a sentence. Now medicine has advanced in the methods of treating the disease, although it is chronic. The same insulin of domestic production is not inferior in quality to foreign analogues. Test strips for glucometers are produced in Irkutsk, and now they have begun to produce hypoglycemic tablets.

Doctors consider the education of patients to be the most important direction. The State Duma of the Russian Federation in the second reading is considering a draft federal program to combat diabetes, where our region will participate. The Governor of the Irkutsk region Igor Kobzev met with the director of the State National Medical Research Center of Endocrinology Natalya Mokrysheva this year. At the meeting, it was decided to create a regional endocrinological center in the Baikal region.

– From next year, the draft program provides for the training of patients with diabetes mellitus and their relatives on an ongoing basis.