Khaberni - A British doctor revealed five unexpected factors that can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels, noting that some of these increases are not necessarily harmful to health.
Dr. Amir Khan, in a video on his Instagram account, explained that blood sugar, or glucose, is the main source of energy in the body and is regulated by insulin.
Blood sugar levels often rise after eating foods rich in carbohydrates or sugar, or after large meals, but there are other surprising reasons as well.
Stress and psychological pressure
Dr. Khan pointed out that psychological stress raises blood sugar levels, saying, "When you are stressed, your body secretes the hormone cortisol which stimulates the liver to release stored glucose to provide the body with energy."
He added, "This is useful in emergencies, but it can lead to chronic glucose elevation when exposed to continuous stress, which negatively affects health in the long term."
Lack of sleep
Khan said that poor sleep or a single night of insomnia makes the body more resistant to insulin, which results in glucose staying in the blood for a longer period.
He explained that continuous lack of sleep could increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Intense exercise
Regarding physical activity, Khan mentioned that some types of exercises, especially intense or resistance exercises, can temporarily raise blood sugar levels.
He added, "The body releases glucose as fuel, but in the long term, exercising improves insulin sensitivity and generally decreases blood sugar levels, so this increase is not bad."
Infection or illness
Khan explained that the body raises blood sugar levels while fighting an infection or illness, saying, "This is part of the immune response; the body needs extra energy to fight off germs."
People with diabetes often notice an increase in sugar levels during illness and may sometimes need to adjust their medication accordingly."
Hormonal changes
The last piece of advice was directed at women, as menstrual cycles or menopause can affect sugar levels.
Khan explained that the rise of the hormone progesterone in the luteal phase of the cycle makes cells more resistant to insulin, and that the decrease in estrogen hormone before and after menopause increases insulin resistance, which is reflected in increased blood sugar and symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, or mental confusion.
