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Blood Sugar Spikes at Night

Posted by Jenaé Miles on
Blood Sugar Spikes at Night - Extend Nutrition

Diabetes is a disease...

that causes your blood sugar levels to fluctuate. One of the most common fluctuations is when you experience high glucose at night, called nocturnal hyperglycemia. Many things can cause nighttime insulin spikes, including certain medications and low physical activity during the day. It can even happen if you don't eat the right bedtime snack. As a person with diabetes, it's essential to know what these symptoms are to take action quickly before any serious complications occur. For example, one way to help regulate diabetic sugar levels is by eating a healthy snack at night that can reduce hunger but won't cause blood sugar to rise. Continue reading to learn more about blood sugar spikes and how to treat and prevent them, including the best snacks for diabetics.


What are the Symptoms of an Insulin Spike?

High blood sugar doesn't have the same sickly feeling you can get with hypoglycemia. Instead, the excess buildup of sugar can be tough to know if you're pre-diabetic or newly diagnosed. Below are some of the most common body responses to high diabetic sugar levels. 

Fatigue

High blood sugar can make you sleepy. Too many carbs, whether it's sugar-filled treats or a large bowl of pasta, often cause an insulin spike. If you weren't paying attention to your meal, packed it with too many carbohydrates, and felt overly tired, check your blood sugar levels. If it happens often, contact your doctor. 

Frequent Urination

High diabetic sugar levels put your kidneys on overdrive, trying to remove the glucose. As they pull out the sugar, your body's water comes with it. The glucose and water leave through urination. 

Increased Thirst

Unfortunately, the more water your body loses, your thurst will increase. If you stay in the cycle of consuming too much sugar and urinating to expel it, you can also experience dehydration.  

Headaches

Dehydration causes headaches. The less you hydrate, the more your head will hurt. Additionally, dehydration and headaches can increase fatigue

Nausea and Vomiting

A serious complication of regular insulin spikes is diabetic ketoacidosis. When the body can't produce enough insulin to push the sugar out, it breaks it down as ketones. Too many are toxic and can cause stomach pain, vomiting, and as it worsens, it leads to trouble breathing, confusion, and problems concentrating. Diabetic Ketoacidosis is rare but life-threatening. If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency medical care. 

Blurred Vision

Excess sugar can affect your vision. In this case, the glucose may get trapped in lenses and cause your vision to blur. Although this is temporary, long-term damage to the nerves may lead to permanent vision issues. 

Recurring Infections

If you notice you're getting infections more often, especially yeast if you're a woman, it might be a sign of high diabetic sugar levels. When your body's spending more time trying to expel sugar, 

Slow-Healing Cuts

Diabetes and high sugar levels in your body can reduce how well your circulatory system works. In return, you may see cuts, bruises, and burns take longer to heal. If you experience these symptoms, contact your doctor. 

Nerve Issues in the Hands and Feet

Long-term high diabetic sugar levels can cause tingling in your hands and feet due to reduced nerve function. If this symptom isn't resolved, it may lead to permanent nerve damage. 

Dental Problems

Excess sugar can stay in your saliva and cause dental conditions such as gum disease, cavities, decay, and bad breath. Individuals with swollen, tender, and bleeding gums should also consult their primary care doctor while working with their dentist to resolve the symptoms. 

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How to Avoid Blood Sugar Spikes at Night

Several options are available to keep your glucose at the right level in the evening and throughout the nighttime hours. 

Skip Large Snacks and Heavy Carbs Consumption Before Bed

These foods can cause your diabetic sugar levels to increase. Choose from one of the best snacks for diabetics listed in the section below or something similar. A light snack that's high in complex carbs and proteins but low in fat and sugar can keep your blood sugar at the right spot all night long. 

Don't Skip Meals

Instead, use meal replacements for a low-calorie, high-protein solution that reduces high glucose levels throughout the day. If none is available and you're not hungry, have a protein bar, salad with tuna, or something light to reduce fluxations in your blood sugar levels. 

Stay Hydrated

Too little water in your diet makes your sugar levels more concentrated. Hydrating dilutes the sugar and makes it easier for the body to process. 

Maintain Balance Throughout the Daytime

Managing your blood sugar all the time to keep it at a healthy level can reduce glucose spikes at night. Consider replacing a meal or snacks with one or more Extend Bars to help reduce cravings for sweets and prevent spikes or dips in blood sugar. 

Sleep Better

When you don't get the right amount of sleep, which experts believe is between seven and nine hours lightly, your body may have trouble functioning. If it can't manage blood sugar properly, you can experience an insulin spike. 

Avoid Artificial Sweeteners

Studies indicate even artificial sweeteners can cause your glucose levels to rise. If you need to use some to sweeten your tea or coffee, limit how much you add to each cup. 


Lifestyle Changes to Manage Blood Sugar

Even if you have the best snacks for diabetics, you need to do more to prevent reoccurring high glucose levels. Over time, these can cause permanent damage. Weight management through improved nutrition and exercise can go a long way in improving your overall wellness. Another way to get your weight down faster is with healthy meal replacement options. 

One Extend shake offers the right blend of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fiber to fill you up and keep hunger away for hours. 

Additionally, healthy carbs are ideal for keeping diabetic sugar levels low. Consider the meal replacement for dinner and follow up an hour or two before bed with an Extend Bar for a tasty treat that won't cause an insulin spike. 

What are the Best Snacks for Diabetics?

The best way to maintain healthy diabetic sugar levels is through healthy eating. However, it's a little more complicated. Salads with lots of vegetables are an excellent source of nutrients. But unless you add some complex carbohydrates, such as cashews or almonds, it might leave you hungry later on, leading to overeating sugar foods that break down quickly and cause insulin spikes. 

 The best snacks for diabetics, any time of day include,

  • Apple slices with almond butter
  • Whole-grain crackers with cheese
  • Hummus and vegetable sticks
  • Yogurt with a few fresh berries
  • Avocado on toast
  • Caprese salad kabobs

Choose Extend Bars and Shakes to Prevent Nighttime Insulin Spikes

An insulin spike can happen at any time. However, it's most common at night while you're sleeping. So, diabetics need to maintain healthy blood sugar levels throughout the day. Additionally, everything you do in the daytime has a profound effect on your nighttime glucose status.

The best snacks for diabetics are healthy and high in complex carbs to reduce excess hunger, leading to overeating. An excellent way to reduce nighttime munchies is with an Extend Bar or Shake at night. Our clinically proven formula can reduce appetite and food cravings for hours and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels for at least six hours, allowing you to sleep without worrying about an early morning insulin spike.


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