EFFECTS OF STRESS ON DIABETES
Diabetes and stress would be the cases of the chicken and the egg, if the chicken definitely came first. But after that, it could become a cycle—chicken lays eggs, eggs become chicken.
Chronic illnesses like diabetes can cause stress. And stress increases your blood sugar.
But first, what is stress?
Stress is your response to challenges that affect you physically, emotionally, financially, etc. It is usually accompanied by a feeling of tiredness.
Symptoms of stress
Here are things to watch out for to know whether you're stressed.
Body aches
Headache
Muscle pain
Sleeping problems
Jaw clenching
Feelings of irritability, fatigue, restlessness, etc.
Stress can be acute or chronic. Acute stress can help you act immediately, inspire you to do something about the situation stressing you out, and also help you think up wonderful ideas.
But once that stress becomes prolonged (chronic), it can harm you.
How can stress worsen diabetes?
Stress causes the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones increase blood glucose levels.
Adrenaline
It is the hormone responsible for the fight or flight response. It causes an increase in blood sugar, which is beneficial for a short period, but once that increase is sustained, it can cause insulin resistance and lead to hyperglycemia.
Cortisol
It is a glucocorticoid hormone that increases the production of glucose from noncarbohydrate sources (gluconeogenesis) and impairs insulin secretion, which leads to increased blood glucose.
Can stress cause diabetes?
Stress doesn't cause diabetes, but it is a risk factor for it.
How to cope with stress:
Find out the stressor.
Eliminate the stressor if you can, and if you can't, find out how to manage it better.
Once you know your stressors, you can take steps to manage them better. For instance, if there's a presentation you do every Wednesday that causes you to be jittery and overwhelmed, you can take steps to manage that reaction.
Exercise regularly and practice mindful meditation.
Do things that can take your mind off the stress. Hobbies and games may help, as may spending time with people who make you feel relaxed and happy.
How to Manage Diabetes-Related Stress
If your diabetes is causing you stress, you can do the following:
Talk to your healthcare team. They may be able to change your drugs and also help you plan your diet and exercises.
Join online support groups; they'll help you feel less alone, and they may share management tips. Remember to check with your healthcare team before using the tips recommended.
Don't beat yourself up so much over slip-ups in your management. Instead, take steps to prevent further slip-ups.
Though stress is inevitable, it can be managed. However, be mindful not to practice negative coping mechanisms to manage stress, such as drinking alcohol, binge eating, smoking, etc., as they are counterproductive.
