Can an increase in stress levels, due to a change in lifestyle or routine like a new job or new house, offed Diabetes management? Stress can affect your Diabetes control in two basic ways. People under stress may not take good care of themselves - they may exercise less, forget or do not have the time to check their glucose levels or plan meals. Stress hormones like adrenaline may also increase blood sugar levels..The body may respond to stress through what is called the fight-or-flight response which also causes levels of many hormones to shoot up. Their net effect is to make a lot of stored energy - glucose and fat - available to cells. In people who have Diabetes, the fight-or-flight response does not work well, leading to excess sugar levels in the blood. It's easy to find out whether mental stress affects your glucose control. Before checking your sugar levels, write down a number rating your mental stress level on a scale of 1 to 10. Then write down your sugar level next to it. You may find your blood sugar levels get somewhat erratic as the stress level goes up. If so, stress may be affecting your glucose control.One cannot always foresee or anticipate a stress-inducing situation but in certain cases like when you are making a major change to your lifestyle or routine, it is advised to stay prepared for the accompanying stress of the situation.Consult your Diabetes team and devise a strategy with their help to keep the transition smooth.If you expect to be busy for a few days or weeks, modify your meal plan and exercise routine to fit into the busy schedule. Trying to adhere to a rigorous exercise regime, for example, may not always work out. Failure to catch up on exercise may also add guilt and further stress for you. Keep a backup strategy, like exercising thrice a week instead of every day.Most importantly, check your blood sugar level more frequently and keep your doctor informed of the numbers. Depending on your level of control, your doctor may modify your medication or insulin dose.Dr Vedavati PurandareConsultant Physician
Can an increase in stress levels, due to a change in lifestyle or routine like a new job or new house, offed Diabetes management? Stress can affect your Diabetes control in two basic ways. People under stress may not take good care of themselves - they may exercise less, forget or do not have the time to check their glucose levels or plan meals. Stress hormones like adrenaline may also increase blood sugar levels..The body may respond to stress through what is called the fight-or-flight response which also causes levels of many hormones to shoot up. Their net effect is to make a lot of stored energy - glucose and fat - available to cells. In people who have Diabetes, the fight-or-flight response does not work well, leading to excess sugar levels in the blood. It's easy to find out whether mental stress affects your glucose control. Before checking your sugar levels, write down a number rating your mental stress level on a scale of 1 to 10. Then write down your sugar level next to it. You may find your blood sugar levels get somewhat erratic as the stress level goes up. If so, stress may be affecting your glucose control.One cannot always foresee or anticipate a stress-inducing situation but in certain cases like when you are making a major change to your lifestyle or routine, it is advised to stay prepared for the accompanying stress of the situation.Consult your Diabetes team and devise a strategy with their help to keep the transition smooth.If you expect to be busy for a few days or weeks, modify your meal plan and exercise routine to fit into the busy schedule. Trying to adhere to a rigorous exercise regime, for example, may not always work out. Failure to catch up on exercise may also add guilt and further stress for you. Keep a backup strategy, like exercising thrice a week instead of every day.Most importantly, check your blood sugar level more frequently and keep your doctor informed of the numbers. Depending on your level of control, your doctor may modify your medication or insulin dose.Dr Vedavati PurandareConsultant Physician
