New Delhi: Generally people think that blood sugar increases only by eating excessive sweets, hence many people avoid consuming sweets, but despite this the blood sugar level increases.
Sometimes, even after restricting sugar or sweets, blood sugar levels still rise. According to diabetes specialists, hormonal changes, stress, lack of sleep, and certain medications can also cause blood sugar to rise. Therefore, simply avoiding sugar or sweets isn’t enough; you also need to change some of your daily habits.
Stress
When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones signal the liver to make more glucose, which can cause blood sugar to rise.
Lack of sleep:
Consistently lacking sleep can affect the body’s insulin production. This can make cells less sensitive to insulin and lead to increased blood glucose levels.
Infection or illness:
During a fever, cold, flu, or other infection, the body produces extra hormones to fight the illness. This can also cause blood sugar to rise, regardless of whether you directly consumed the sweetener or not.
Certain medications, including
steroids, some hormonal medications, and others, can affect blood sugar levels. If you’re taking these medications, it’s important to get your blood sugar checked regularly as directed by your doctor.
Lack of physical activity:
Sitting for long periods of time and not getting regular exercise can make the body unable to use glucose efficiently. This can increase the risk of high blood sugar.
Dehydration:
Drinking too little water can increase glucose concentrations in the body, leading to higher blood sugar levels. Therefore, it’s important to drink adequate amounts of water throughout the day.
Hormonal changes in the morning
Before waking up, the body releases certain hormones that produce glucose for energy. In people with diabetes or insulin resistance, this can cause higher than normal blood sugar levels in the morning.
Methods for controlling blood sugar:
Eat a balanced and fiber-rich diet.
Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily.
Get adequate sleep of 7-8 hours.
Do yoga and meditation to reduce stress.
Drink 2.5-3 liters of water throughout the day.
Get your blood sugar checked regularly as per doctor’s advice.