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How does stress affect diabetes.

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sue1959

Well-Known Member
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I've type 2 diabetes and have found that my Sugar levels have risen slightly over the last few week. I'm not eating anything different but my Daughter is taking her Leaving Cert (A levels) and is stressing out. Could this be having an effect on me as I'm her sounding block and most likely stressed as well!!
What ever roll n the summer when it'll be all over!
 
My diagnosis of Type2 came after a considerable amount of stress so there must be something in it. Hospital Consultant told me that the stress had pushed my levels up and that coupled with a genetic predisposition, I did not really have anything that I could have done differently that would have altered the outcome. I find I can handle every day stress, it is the "biggies" that upset mine.
I only worry about the things I can change and don't waste time worrying about the rest.
 
Hi Sue, stress is known to elevate bs. I guess by how much is individual though. As a type 1, I sometimes use it to my advantage: I can skip adjusting for physical activity if it's done in a rush for fear of not making it on time - the two tend to even it out!
 
Yes stress effects mine quite considerably. BG's are worse on Mondays by about +1 on average and if I have a stressful conference call or say get stuck in traffic and then it looks like I'll be late for meetings my BG's will rocket. Apparently its your evolutionary flight response. In stressful situations your brain instructs your liver to dump to glucose so that you have energy if you need to run away. You then need to generate an insulin response to mop it up which of course as Type 2's is the problem. I use to not really think about it but nowadays I try and avoid stressful situations whenever I can.
 
Stress sends my levels up and I was surprised that even relatively low levels of stress has an effect. Stress because I hate flying was a contributory factor to my levels going spiking horribly causing a stroke during a flight between Sydney and Hong Kong. Since my stroke I've made conscious efforts to cut back on the stress in my life. One part-time job has gone and I no longer think I am Super Woman in my other job which I had been doing prior to my stroke. I also started relaxing with self-hypnosis again, having let that slip over the past couple of years and that works really well.
 
There are more than one type of stress but things like exams and problems at work will result in the fight or flight syndrome where your body naturally releases extra sugar and adrenalin which you would need if you are going to fight or run away. It may be a reason why exercise is often given as good for stress

For diabetics on insulin this is a problem as all of a sudden your blood sugar goes up and you have to cope with it Personally I have had enormous problems with high level stress I chose to talk to someone rather than taking anti stress medication.

I tend to define stress as either something I can do something about like a deadline - which tends to be manageable. But the things I can't do anything about have caused me great problems

Stress is part of life so we have to do what we can to manage it not easy but understanding the cause and effect helps to work out what to do. Today you can tell examiners as they recognise this problem and something like an interview the effects will soon pass but on going stress needs to be sorted out
 
Yes, mine goes up with stress. I didn't realize it did, even after all this time, but found out when my 20 yr old son was diagnosed T2 just before Xmas, and I went through alot of worry for a start. I didn't feel too well, so tested and my levels were higher. Gone back to normal though now.

Helena
 
Im type 2.and I know that stress controls your points. Im stressed out at the moment as my sons is dieing and some days my bloods are really high. and my nurse says its stress,
 
Was unfortunate enough to be mugged when living in Greece 5 years ago (2006) Back in U.K. for a few months and was diagnosed
with type 2. I strongly believe that this incident was the straw that broke the camels back, my stress levels went through the roof at the time, and I am convinced that this event definitely contributed to my diagnosis. :!: :?:
 
My father died and a few months later I was diagnosed as type2.

So I agree that major stress is a factor for the development of type2 diabetes.

Sadly it's almost impossible to guard against some life stresses.
 
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