The “Dawn Phenomenon”, the connection to high blood glucose values in the morning. When it happens and how to intervene
The situation in which they are faced with high blood glucose values in the morning, although they have not consumed food the night before, puts many patients on the alert. Diabetologist Anca Roman explains what actually happens and what needs to be done.
The right foods eaten in the evening can regulate the situation FOTo: Shutterstock
The diabetologist doctor Anca Roman exposed a situation she encounters in the office. Many patients tell him that they wake up in the morning with high blood sugar values, even if they did not eat, the night before, any food to blame for this situation.
The doctor explained, in an intervention on his social media account, that the situations in which patients record blood glucose values between 130-150 in the morning, apparently without explanation, are explained by the “dawn phenomenon”.
“This phenomenon is called the dawn phenomenon. Physiologically, between 4.00 and 8.00 in the morning, cortisol, growth hormones, hormones that will lead to an increase in glycemic values are secreted. the doctor explained.
In non-diabetic patients, the pancreas manages to compensate for the rise in blood glucose by adequate insulin secretion. This no longer happens, however, in patients with diabetes.
“In people with diabetes, either the pancreas does not make enough insulin, or the action of insulin is dysregulated, and then patients will constantly wake up with slightly elevated blood sugars in the morning,” added the doctor.
Care at the dinner table
To prevent such situations, what can be done is adjusting the dinner, indicated Dr. Roman. Carbohydrate intake should be reduced, and the meal should be based more on quality protein and fiber (ie, vegetables should not be missing).
“Beware of apparently healthy dinners, rich in fruit, yogurt with fruit, yogurt with cereals, which will lead to an increase in glycemic values. We can do a short walk of 10-15 minutes, not a vigorous workout, and obviously you need to talk to your diabetes doctor to adjust your treatment.” the doctor Anca Roman also indicated.
