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Night Hyperglycemia Treatment

Hyperglycemia is a type of condition that occurs when a high blood sugar levels are found in the body. Hyperglycemia affects patients with diabetes and can prove serious and even fatal if left untreated. When a person has night hyperglycemia, it can be from several different causes and can be treated depending on the reason for the spike in blood sugar.

  1. Pinpointing the Reason for Night Hyperglycemia

    • There are three reasons that night hyperglycemia will occur in a diabetic patient: high fat meal before bedtime, the Dawn Effect and the Somogyi Effect.

      High-fat meals that affect the blood sugar during the night normally consist of eating an unhealthy snack or dinner too close to your bedtime. At first, blood glucose levels may be normal, but gradually increase as you digest the meal. Fat can keep blood sugar levels high for as long as several hours.

      The Dawn Effect involves an increase of insulin resistance that takes place a couple of hours before you wake in the morning. This burst of blood glucose is meant to help those without diabetes have energy for the day. However, for diabetic patients, it can lead to hyperglycemia.

      The Somogyi Effect occurs in response to the body having a rapid drop in blood sugar levels during sleep. To combat this drop, the muscles and the liver will release stored glucose. When too much is released into the body, it is known as the Somogyi Effect.

    Treatments

    • One of the main treatment methods of night hyperglycemia is changing your nighttime eating habits. You should avoid any foods high in fat or sugar at your last meal of the day or after-dinner treats. If you need to snack, eat a light low-fat meal to curb hunger.

      To monitor your insulin levels and prevent night hyperglycemia, you may need to test your glucose for several days around 3 o'clock in the morning. Based on your blood sugar readings, your doctor may make changes to your medications or the amount of insulin you use.

      If you suspect you may be suffering from night hyperglycemia, you need to contact your doctor right away in order to allow him to review your glucose levels and test your urine for ketones. Symptoms of hyperglycemia include extreme thirst, increased urination, lethargy, headache and general aches and pains.

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