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Somogyi rebound effect: Why does your morning blood sugar rise abnormally?
For many diabetics, abnormally high blood sugar levels in the morning are an unavoidable problem. The reason behind this phenomenon is called the Somogyi rebound effect. Simply put, this is a physiological response caused by low blood sugar at night, which ultimately leads to high blood sugar in the morning. While this time-honored theory has gained some acceptance, the science behind it remains widely debated.
The Somogyi rebound effect, which is an abnormal rise in blood sugar after hypoglycemia, is quite challenging for diabetics who are taking insulin.
Why does the Somogyi effect occur?
In 1938, Hungarian professor Michael Somogyi first proposed this concept, mainly targeting the hypoglycemic reaction caused by excessive insulin injection. When the body's blood sugar level is too low, the body automatically releases a variety of hormones, such as glucagon, epinephrine, and cortisol. These hormones prompt the liver to release glucose, causing blood sugar levels to rise quickly. However, this process may lead to abnormally high blood sugar the next morning.
Somogyi effect and dawn phenomenon
It is important to note that the Somogyi effect and the dawn phenomenon are related to each other. The dawn phenomenon refers to the phenomenon in which blood sugar rises in the morning due to reduced secretion of growth hormone and insulin. This means that patients' morning hyperglycemia may have multiple causes, not just the Somogyi effect.
Patients should understand the importance of adjusting insulin doses to respond to dynamically changing blood glucose levels.
How to detect the Somogyi rebound effect?
The best way to detect the effects of Somogyi is with continuous blood glucose monitoring. Although this technology is not yet commonly used, traditional blood glucose testing can also identify fluctuations in blood sugar by measuring 8 to 10 times a day. Especially measuring at night will give you a better idea of whether you're experiencing low blood sugar during the night.
By having a high-protein, low-carbohydrate snack at night, patients can change blood glucose circulation patterns before bed, thereby reducing the likelihood of Somogyi rebound.
How to avoid the Somogyi effect
The key to avoiding the Somogyi effect is proper control of insulin use. This includes measuring blood sugar frequently, gradually increasing insulin doses, recognizing signs of hypoglycemia promptly, and more. The most important thing for patients is to learn to recognize their own body signals and flexibly adjust treatment plans based on these signals.
The controversy over the Somogyi effect
Although the Somogyi rebound effect is well known in academic circles, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support its universality. Studies have shown that morning high blood sugar is more likely to be caused by the insulin administered the night before not acting long enough. In view of this, the understanding of the Somogyi effect and its universality remain a focus of debate in the medical community.
Many patients who experience nocturnal hypoglycemia do not wake up in the morning, making identification of the Somogyi effect more difficult.
In summary, the Somogyi rebound effect is a thought-provoking issue, especially in diabetes management. Whether they are sufficiently aware of this phenomenon and can respond flexibly to their condition will be a question that every patient should consider.
