My Diabetes Information Blogs
Immediate Adrenaline Stress vs Chronic Cortisol Stress in Diabetes
04/03/07
Living Well, Treatment Options, General
Immediate stress activates a few different hormones in your body, but chief among them is adrenaline. These chemicals pour into your blood system if you find yourself in instances such as car accidents or other threatening situations. In addition to the hormones, part of your glucose stores from your muscles and liver pour into your blood stream, and your blood sugar measures jump.
So, if you ask anyone living with diabetes about the stress sources in their life, they are likely to list diabetes at or near the top of the list. The day-to-day routines of managing diabetes are challenging. Worrying about consequences down the road can also add to the chronic stress of having diabetes. What is the natural result? Your blood sugar rises because you worry about this darn disease that makes blood sugar rise.
So, if you are having a number of stressful incidents in a day or a week, like a police officer, emergency room physician, or an overtaxed administrative assistant, you are probably elevating your blood sugar. If you consistently worry about living with diabetes, meeting financial obligations, or a close family member who is struggling with an aspect of life, your blood sugar is probably not as controlled as you would wish.
Ways to lower stress:
- Exercise
- Lose weight
- Eat more fiber so your digestive system is not overtaxed and stressed.
- Sit down with a social worker or psychologist and ask them to help you work through reducing stress in your life
A good resource about stress comes from the Mayo Clinic's website.