01/9Everyday things that can increase your blood sugar levels
Diabetes is one of the most concerning health problems that can affect your day to day life. Without proper treatment, it can cause serious complications and can also be life-threatening. By checking your blood sugar levels, you can understand your triggers - what foods, drinks, habits cause your insulin to shoot up. However, sometimes, your blood sugar can rise up due to the most insignificant, daily activities, things that you did not expect could have such a drastic effect. Let's look at some of these surprising causes.
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02/9Skipping breakfast
Breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day! According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), going without a morning meal can increase blood sugar after both lunch and dinner. That said, make sure to consult your doctor before making any changes to your daily diet.
03/9Sunburn
Surprisingly, basking too much in the sun can also cause your blood sugar levels to rise. The sunburn you develop can lead to pain that can further cause stress, which increases blood sugar levels, as per the CDC.
04/9Coffee
Coffee is one of the most favourite morning drinks for many. Some even have it throughout their busy day. However, is it healthy for people with diabetes? CDC says no, even without sweeteners. "Some people’s blood sugar is extra-sensitive to caffeine," the US health body explains. This is why caffeine must be avoided when you're at an increased risk of high blood sugar levels.
05/9Insufficient sleep
For a healthy body and mind, sufficient sleep is essential. That said, lack of sleep even for just one night can make your body use insulin ineffectively, say CDC.
06/9Dawn phenomenon
The dawn phenomenon is used to refer to abnormal early-morning increase in blood sugar (glucose), usually between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m., in people with diabetes, explains the Mayo Clinic. The phenomenon, also called the dawn effect, is when people have a surge in hormones early in the morning whether they have diabetes or not, according to the CDC. That said, people with diabetes can experience a sudden increase in their blood sugar levels during this time.
07/9Gum disease
According to an article by the journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), gum disease can raise one's blood sugar levels. Gum disease in its more severe form is called 'periodontitis', which, as per the report, can lead to a risk of higher long-term blood sugar levels (A1c) and make one more prone to type 2 diabetes.
08/9Dehydration
Insufficient water in the body can also cause high blood sugar. Dehydration can lead to hyperglycemia. The CDC explains, "less water in your body means your blood sugar is more concentrated." In addition, things can become worse because high blood sugar leads to frequent urination, which causes more severe dehydration.
09/9Artificial sweeteners
While artificial sweeteners are said to be better than refined sugar, they aren't the best for people with diabetes. While more research is needed to confirm its ill-effects, the CDC says that some studies have shown that they can raise blood sugar.
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