We all have stress just getting up in the morning. In the past we’ve written about the importance of taking the edge off of yours. This month we’re going to tell you why and how because exercise and relaxation are an integral part of the program to relieve stress. Just meditating can help you to clear your mind for problem solving. In people with diabetes, the fight-flight reaction does not work well. Insulin is not always able to let extra energy into the cells, so glucose builds up in the blood.
In people with diabetes, stress can alter the blood glucose levels in two ways. First, people under stress may not take are of themselves. They may drink more and exercise less. They may forget or feel they do not have time to check blood glucose levels or plan for healthy meals. Second, stress can change blood glucose levels directly.
Scientists have studied the effects of stress on glucose levels in both animals and people. Diabetic mice have elevated glucose levels when under physical or mental stress. The effects in people with type 1 diabetes indicate that glucose levels may go up as they do in the majority of people, but they can also go down in some. In type 2 diabetes, stress often raises blood glucose levels.
More: Stress Reductions
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