What are the complications of the Somogyi effect?
Regardless of whether the Somogyi effect is actually a cause of high blood sugar in the morning, it highlights two complications that people with diabetes should try to avoid:
- Consistently high blood sugar levels.
- Episodes of low blood sugar during the night.
Consistently high blood sugar levels
Persistently high blood sugar levels lead to a rise in blood sugar levelsA1Clevels and your time in range (TIR). An A1C test measures the average amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood over the past three months. Your TIR is the average percentage of time per day when your glucose level is within the target range.
The higher your A1C and TIR levels, the greater your risk of developing complications, especially if they are consistently high for several years. Diabetes complications include:
Studies show that people with diabetes can reduce their risk of diabetes complications by consistently keeping their A1C levels below 7%.
Because high blood sugar levels in the morning can be an ongoing problem, not treating or managing it can lead to persistently high blood sugar levels for at least a few hours each day. This can increase your risk of diabetes complications over time.
Episodes of low blood sugar during the night
For most people with diabetes, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) occurs when your blood sugar level is less than 70 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter).
Most people experience symptoms of low blood sugar, such as:
- Trembling or shivering.
- Intense hunger (polyphagia).
- Sweating and chills.
- Dizzinessor dizziness.
- Fasterheartbeat.
However, if you experience low blood sugar while you sleep, it may take longer for you to feel symptoms and wake up. This can be dangerous and severe hypoglycemia can be life-threatening. Symptoms of nighttime slumps can vary slightly and include:
- Restless, irritable sleep.
- Feeling tired or confused after waking up.
- Having nightmares.
- Sweating through your pajamas or sheets.
When you have symptoms of low blood sugar, it is important to monitor your blood sugar levels to see if your blood sugar levels are low (and how low). This will help you treat low blood sugar. You should consume fast-acting carbohydrates (sugars), such as banana or apple juice, to treat hypoglycemia.
If you regularly experience low blood sugar levels at night, contact your doctor. Together you will adjust your diabetes treatment plan to prevent future episodes.
