DIABETES AND STRESS
DIABETES AND STRESS
Stress is not good for anyone! But, for someone living with diabetes, it can create further complications, health concerns and life-threatening issues. Being diagnosed with diabetes and learning to manage the disease is stressful enough, but it’s important for patients to understand what stress can do to the body and why stress needs to be controlled and taken seriously.
WHAT IS STRESS?
“Stress is defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain and is the body’s response to anything that requires attention or action. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. It’s the response that makes an impact to health and overall well-being.”1
THE BODY’S REACTION TO STRESS
The body is naturally wired to react to stress. When the body becomes stressed “the hypothalamus, a tiny region in the brain’s base sets off an alarm system. Through a combination of nerves and hormonal signals, it prompts the adrenal glands to release hormones called adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline increases the heart rate, elevates blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases glucose levels in the bloodstream.”2
The body naturally knows when the stress or danger is over and begins a calming process. The heart rate begins to slow, blood pressure decreases, hormone levels and blood glucose levels return to normal. For the average person, a spike in blood glucose due to a stress response is expected and normal. For someone living with diabetes, a sustained increase in blood sugar due to a stress response is serious.
COMPLICATIONS CAUSED BY STRESS
It’s not uncommon to be stressed these days. There are pressures created by family, work, school, society, a pandemic and living with diabetes through all of it. When the body is in a constant state of stress it can wreak havoc on the body and do serious damage. Increased stress levels puts everyone, diabetes patients included, at risk for many other health conditions.
? Anxiety
? Depression
? Digestive issues
? Migraines
? Cardiovascular disease
? Sleep loss
? Fluctuations in weight
? Memory and concentration issues
? Higher blood glucose levels
? Imbalanced insulin levels
? Compromised immune system
LEARNING HOW TO REDUCE STRESS
Learning how to recognize stress and finding techniques to reduce and cope with stress are the key to preventing long-lasting health effects. Here are suggestions on how to relieve stress and reduce anxiety naturally:
? Eat healthier
? Exercise regularly
? Practice yoga
? Meditate
? Listen to soothing music
? Call a friend
? Laugh more
? Walk away from the situation or person causing the stress
? Eliminate negative words from daily vocabulary
? Get to sleep earlier each day
? Aromatherapy
? Soak in a bubble bath
? Take a break from social media
? Start journaling
? Read more
? De-clutter and organize
? Distract and re-direct, find something new
? Learn to appreciate the small stuff
? Take a deep breath
? Find a support group
? Seek a professional
CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORS, STRESS AND BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGMs), like the FreeStyle Libre, have revolutionized how diabetes patients track and monitor blood glucose levels. CGMs help to avoid painful fingersticks and give patients the flexibility of monitoring levels 24/7. Continuous Glucose Monitors give patients the freedom to live a more active and less stressful way of life.
At the same time, CGMs are an invaluable tool in monitoring blood glucose levels during times of stress. When patients feel a stress reaction occurring, they can easily use their CGMs to check levels and monitor where those levels are headed to prevent more serious issues from occurring. Knowing how and when stress affects the body is an important step in learning how to manage stress and diabetes together.
FINDING STRESS RELIEF
Learning to live with diabetes and managing it each and every day can be extremely stressful. Finding a support system and educational resources are essential to reducing the stress caused by diabetes. If and when you need us, Quest Health Solutions will be here to provide continued educational resources, support, tools and supplies. Whether you’re a patient, healthcare provider, diabetic educator or a loved one looking for more information, we are here to support you on this journey and make it as stress free as possible. To learn more, contact us 1-877-888-7050 Option 3, Ext. 1011, email [email protected] or schedule an appointment today. In the meantime, please continue to check our blog for more information and let us know about any topics you would like to learn more about in the future.
1. (2020) VeryWell Mind. What is Stress? Available at https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-and-health-3145086 accessed on 27 March 2021.
2. (2019) Mayo Clinic. Stress Management. Available at https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037 accessed on 28 March 2021.