Blood sugar levels are fickle in nature; one moment, they are low and then suddenly, it spikes.
While these fluctuations are not healthy for any individual, it should concern a diabetic patient more, as sudden changes in the blood pressure could result in severe health consequences such as stroke, heart disease, kidney damage, and vision problems. It is essential to keep track of these fluctuations, especially for diabetic patients. Getting regular blood tests such as the fasting FBS plasma test also goes a long way in ensuring that you keep your blood pressure under control.
So, let’s see if it is normal for blood sugar levels to fluctuate.
Is it Normal for Blood Sugar Levels to Fluctuate?
Though common, fluctuating blood sugar levels are not healthy in the long run and must be kept under control. Many factors cause a change in blood pressure, whether it is increasing it or lowering the pressure. So it is natural for blood sugar levels to change often. This is even more common for those who have diabetes. Food, illness, medications, stress, and physical activities are just some of the factors that could result in changes in blood pressure. Even though it is normal for such fluctuations to occur, it is better to keep it under control, especially if you have diabetes.
As you have already read, many reasons could cause drastic changes in blood pressure; let’s take a look at some of the reasons that cause these changes.
The Reasons for Blood Sugar Level Fluctuations
Many reasons can cause blood sugar level fluctuations. Lifestyle factors, food, drink and medications can all contribute to changes in blood pressure.
These are 10 of the factors that contribute to blood sugar level fluctuations:
- Caffeine
Can’t start the day without that cup of coffee or tea? Well, think again! Your favourite hot beverages, such as coffee or even tea, could cause a rise in blood sugar levels. Even energy drinks have the same effect on sugar levels. It is the caffeine in them that causes such an abrupt rise.
- Stress
Stress, the bane of modern society, plays a role in several health problems, including high blood pressure. When your body is under stress, it releases hormones that can cause a spike in blood sugar levels. Stress can be caused due to many factors; it can result from an unsatisfactory job, health reasons, over-thinking, and other personal issues. Try to counter it through various exercises and avoid the situation that causes the problem.
- Sleep
For some people, blood sugar can dip at night while they sleep, while others might experience a rise in sugar levels upon waking up in the morning. The increase in blood sugar levels could be either due to a drop in insulin or a change in hormones.
- Dehydration
Dehydration is a common health issue, especially during the summers. Dehydration is known to cause a spike in blood sugar levels, and diabetic patients must be more vigilant and keep themselves hydrated.
- Sickness
Being sick can result in a lot of changes in the body. One of the changes that the body experiences is a fluctuation in blood pressure levels. The stress hormones released by the body when you are sick results in your liver, increasing the amount of glucose in your blood. Some sickness can even result in the sugar levels going low, sometimes even dangerously low, in which case you must consult your doctor.
- Medications
The medicines that you take to treat myriad health conditions could mess up your blood pressure levels. Steroids can also result in an increase in blood sugar levels. Antipsychotics and antidepressants can also cause a spike in blood sugar levels, while certain medicines can lower blood pressure.
- Exercise
Exercise has many advantages; it keeps you healthy, prevents illnesses and can be a lot of fun for fitness enthusiasts. A workout session leads to an increase in heartbeat rate, increasing the blood pressure, which drops again after a while. An extreme workout can result in a drop in blood sugar levels for several hours after the exercise. Take your time and ease into your weight loss routine Sometimes, weight loss accelerates through help of supplements such as steroids for sale.
- Alcohol
It is often advised that you consume moderate amounts of alcohol. Drinking alcohol increases your blood pressure, as it is high in carbs. The blood sugar levels may drop again after some time. Hence, it is better if you consume alcohol, along with food.
- Travelling
Travelling can be fun and stressful simultaneously; either way, it can result in your body experiencing many changes. The sudden change in your eating and drinking habits, sleeping pattern and medications could lead to blood pressure fluctuations. If you have diabetes, it is necessary to take extra precaution when travelling.
- Birth control pills
Although birth control pills are safe for women with diabetes, they can have an impact on how your body deals with insulin. It is considered to be safe by experts even though it can cause changes in blood pressure.
If you are consistently troubled by fluctuating blood sugar levels, you must get a blood test done before it results in more complications. A simple act of getting a blood test done can help your doctor diagnose any underlying condition that could have severe consequences if left untreated. For those from Hyderabad, look for the best diagnostic labs in Hyderabad and get a test done! So how can you control blood sugar levels? Read on to find out!
How to Control Fluctuating Blood Sugar Levels?
If you are a diabetic patient, you must have asked yourself, ‘how do I stop my blood sugar from fluctuating?’. It is imperative to control fluctuating blood sugar levels for diabetic patients as it could lead to severe health issues if not reigned in on time. These are some of the ways through which you can control your blood sugar levels:
- Controlling your carb intake
- Reducing sugar consumption
- Increasing physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Drinking a lot of water
- Getting adequate sleep
- Moderate consumption of alcohol
If these measures do not show any result, consult your doctor.
Many clinics offer blood testing services across India, so if you have any concerns regarding your blood pressure, get a blood test done immediately. With multiple clinics providing these services, the health packages also differ, and you can choose from the one that suits your requirements. Diabetes patients from Hyderabad can look up the best diabetic health checkup packages in Hyderabad and get the test done. Because precaution indeed is better than cure.
Conclusion
A rise or fall in blood pressure levels is common, but it can have dangerous consequences if not controlled. Keeping your blood pressure under control becomes more critical if you have diabetes. It is crucial to find out the causes of these fluctuations and then find a way to control blood sugar levels. If you cannot manage the rise and fall of blood pressure, you must visit your doctor and get their assistance. Controlling blood sugar can have a positive impact on your overall health.
