People with diabetes warned over 'phenomenon' symptoms between 2am and 8am

A phenomenon known as the "dawn effect" is causing concern for individuals with diabetes, as it leads to a spike in blood sugar levels early in the morning.

According to Diabetes.co.uk, the "dawn phenomenon" occurs between 2am and 8am. During this time, the release of certain hormones that increase insulin resistance can result in high blood glucose, or hyperglycemia.

These hormones, including cortisol, growth hormone, glucagon, and epinephrine, counteract insulin's effect and cause blood sugar levels to rise.

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Experts believe that high morning blood sugar can stem from various factors, including insufficient insulin, incorrect medication doses the previous night or even eating carbohydrate-rich snacks before bed.

According to the NHS, symptoms of high blood sugar, or hyperglycaemia, in people with diabetes include:

• Increased thirst and a dry mouth

• Needing to urinate frequently, especially at night

• Tiredness

• Blurred vision

• Unintentional weight loss

• Recurrent infections, such as thrush, bladder infections (cystitis), and skin infections

• Fruity-smelling breath

To help determine if the dawn phenomenon is responsible for a spike in blood sugar levels, the experts suggest that people with diabetes consult their healthcare providers, who may recommend monitoring blood sugar levels during early-morning hours or using continuous glucose monitoring.

What you can do to manage the ' dawn phenomenon'?

People with diabetes manage their condition by monitoring blood sugar, usually using a home blood glucose meter.

For anyone trying to prevent or correct high blood sugar in the morning, health care providers may suggest that you:

• Avoid carbohydrates at bedtime.

• Change the dose of diabetes medicine or insulin.

• Switch to a different diabetes medicine.

• Change the time when you take your medication or insulin from dinnertime to bedtime.

In some cases, an insulin pump may be used to deliver additional insulin during the early morning to counteract the rise in blood sugar.

Anyone concerned about diabetes should speak to their healthcare provider.