Factors That Affect Blood Glucose - Part 2: Biological Factors, Sleep, Stress, and More

In part 1, we explored how food, medication, and exercise can influence blood glucose levels. Now, let's dive into some of the biological factors and lifestyle elements that affect your glucose control. Understanding these can help you anticipate changes in your blood sugar and make informed decisions.

Biological Factors

1. Stress
   Stress is a known contributor to elevated blood sugar levels. When you're stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that can cause blood sugar spikes. This is part of the body's "fight or flight" response, which can leave you feeling like you're fighting an uphill battle with your glucose.

While short-term stress can cause spikes, chronic stress can have longer-lasting effects on insulin sensitivity. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and exercise can go a long way in stabilizing your blood sugar levels.

2. Illness and Infection
   When your body is fighting an infection or dealing with an illness, it can cause blood sugar to rise. Illness puts your body under stress, which triggers hormonal responses that raise glucose levels. You may need to adjust your insulin regimen or be extra vigilant about monitoring your blood sugar during this time.
3. Sleep
   Sleep plays a crucial role in blood sugar regulation. Poor or insufficient sleep can make your body more insulin-resistant, leading to higher blood glucose levels. Additionally, sleep disturbances can trigger hormonal changes that impact your glucose control.

If you’re struggling with sleep, try to establish a consistent sleep schedule, create a calming bedtime routine, and limit screen time before bed.

4. Hormonal Changes
   Hormonal fluctuations, especially in women, can affect insulin sensitivity. For example, during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, changes in hormones can lead to either insulin resistance or increased sensitivity. Tracking your blood glucose during these times can help you better understand how your body responds to these changes.

Infusion Set Issues and Skin Care

5. Infusion Set and Site Issues
   If you're using an insulin pump, you may encounter problems with infusion sets. Blockages, poor absorption, or issues with the insertion site can lead to blood sugar fluctuations. It’s essential to rotate infusion sites and monitor for any issues that could affect insulin delivery. Scar tissue or lipodystrophy (fatty tissue buildup at injection sites) can also cause problems.

Regularly check your infusion sites and avoid using areas that have developed scar tissue. Proper skin care is vital to ensure consistent insulin absorption.

By understanding and managing these biological factors and lifestyle elements, you'll be better equipped to navigate the complexities of blood glucose control. Keep tracking your trends and work with your healthcare team to adjust strategies as needed.

In conclusion, the key takeaway here is that blood glucose levels are influenced by a wide array of factors. Don’t let the complexity overwhelm you—knowledge, preparation, and careful management can help you take control of your diabetes and make the best choices for your health.

You’ve got this.

Stay fun,

Madi Cheever, MPH, RD, LDN, CHES
Type One Type Fun

‼️DISCLAIMER: although I am a healthcare professional, this post is not intended to be medical advice. This is simply me sharing some of what I know, but your body may not respond in this way so please make sure you are chatting with your diabetes educator and/or doctor first ‼️ or bring me onto your care team 😘