What Can Cause Blood Glucose Levels to Increase in Type II Diabetes?

Type II diabetes, or adult onset diabetes, usually occurs in people over 40. However, because of poor diets and sedentary lifestyles, it is now present in children. The American Diabetes Association states that 90 to 95 percent of diabetes is type II and that diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in America. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, diabetics must monitor their blood sugar levels in order to stabilize their blood sugar. Rises in blood sugar can lead to circulatory problems, heart attacks, liver disease, kidney failure, loss of sight and neuropathy. A number of factors can cause blood glucose levels to increase.

Carbohydrates

• All of the carbohydrates that you ingest are turned into sugar for energy. When sugar or glucose enters the bloodstream, the pancreas produces insulin to move the sugar into the muscle cells. If you ingest too many carbohydrates your blood sugar rises, making it difficult for the insulin to work effectively. Dietitians suggest that diabetics limit their carbohydrate intake to 45 to 60 grams per meal.

Inactivity

• Inactivity can cause high blood sugar levels. Exercise uses sugar for energy and therefore helps lower sugar levels. Doctors recommend that diabetics exercise at least 150 minutes per week, or 30 minutes five times per week, to help stabilize blood sugar.

Stress

• Stress causes your body to take action. According to the American Diabetes Association, your body prepares for the "fight-or-flight response." In the fight-or-flight response, hormones are released to prepare your body for conflict. For a diabetic, the release of insulin is not effective in moving sugar into the cells. The result is too much sugar in the blood.

Illness

• Similar to stress, physical stress or illness can cause your blood sugar levels to increase. Even though you may not eat as much as you normally do, your blood sugar level will rise. The extra glucose in the bloodstream can affect the ability of insulin to help cells take in sugar. Cells break down fat for energy, instead. The breakdown process produces ketones that can poison your body. If the blood sugar rises to 240 and does not lower, diabetics need to contact their physicians.

Medications

• Some medications can increase blood sugar levels. Adrenalin or epinephrine used to restart the heart can increase blood sugar levels. Too much caffeine can increase blood sugar levels. If you take calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure, you may see an increase in your blood sugar level. Corticosteriods, diuretics, estrogen, progestin, lithium and phenobarbitol can increase blood sugar levels.