Tame your morning blood sugar spikes and own your mornings!
The Dawn Phenomenon: Understanding Early Morning Hyperglycemia in Diabetes
Exploring the Causes, Symptoms, and Management of Dawn Phenomenon
The most perplexing challenge of having diabetes is why blood sugar suddenly rises when you sleep at night. In times of surges, people can be frustrated and confused, and in some cases surges happen without a discernible cause. It is not a fluke — this phenomenon is called the ‘dawn phenomenon.’ Individuals with diabetes or prediabetes need to understand the how and the how to manage this too effectively. We are seeing greater promise for patient engagement, continuity of care, and even gamification of diabetes management as part of a holistic approach to managing this condition.
What is the Dawn Phenomenon?
The dawn phenomenon refers to a natural rise in blood sugar levels that occurs in the early morning hours, typically between 3:00 and 8:00 AM. For people with diabetes or prediabetes, this increase can be particularly problematic because it can be difficult to keep blood sugar in a target range. Hormonal changes are what drive the dawn phenomenon. When cortisol, growth hormone, and glucagon are released as hormones…
