Dawn effect
Encyclopedia
Dawn phenomenon is defined as an increase in the blood sugar in the morning and is typically invoked in the context of diabetes. It is different from Chronic Somogyi rebound
in that dawn effect is not associated with nocturnal hypoglycemia
.
It is possible that dawn effect is caused by the release of counterregulatory hormone
s such as cortisol
, glucagon
, or epinephrine
, all of which can signal the liver
to release glucose
. In most of the cases, there is no need to change insulin dosing of patients who encounter dawn effect.
The "dawn effect," also called the "dawn phenomenon," is the term used to describe an abnormal early-morning increase in blood sugar (glucose) — usually between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. — in people with diabetes.
Some researchers believe it's due to the natural overnight release of hormones — including growth hormones, cortisol, glucagon, and epinephrine — that increase insulin resistance. Other causes may include insufficient insulin administration the night before, incorrect medication dosages, or eating carbohydrate snacks at bedtime.
Dawn phenomenon can be treated by avoiding carbohydrate intake at bedtime, adjusting the dosage of medication or insulin, switching to a different medication, or by using an insulin pump to administer extra insulin during early-morning hours.
Chronic Somogyi rebound
Chronic Somogyi rebound, also called the Somogyi effect and posthypoglycemic hyperglycemia, is a rebounding high blood sugar that is a response to low blood sugar...
in that dawn effect is not associated with nocturnal hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia or hypoglycæmia is the medical term for a state produced by a lower than normal level of blood glucose. The term literally means "under-sweet blood"...
.
It is possible that dawn effect is caused by the release of counterregulatory hormone
Counterregulatory hormone
A counterregulatory hormone is a hormone that opposes the action of another.The action of insulin is counterregulated by glucagon, adrenaline , noradrenaline , cortisol, and growth hormone...
s such as cortisol
Cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone, more specifically a glucocorticoid, produced by the adrenal gland. It is released in response to stress and a low level of blood glucocorticoids. Its primary functions are to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis; suppress the immune system; and aid in fat,...
, glucagon
Glucagon
Glucagon, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, raises blood glucose levels. Its effect is opposite that of insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels. The pancreas releases glucagon when blood sugar levels fall too low. Glucagon causes the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose, which is...
, or epinephrine
Epinephrine
Epinephrine is a hormone and a neurotransmitter. It increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels, dilates air passages and participates in the fight-or-flight response of the sympathetic nervous system. In chemical terms, adrenaline is one of a group of monoamines called the catecholamines...
, all of which can signal the liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
to release glucose
Glucose
Glucose is a simple sugar and an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as the primary source of energy and a metabolic intermediate...
. In most of the cases, there is no need to change insulin dosing of patients who encounter dawn effect.
The "dawn effect," also called the "dawn phenomenon," is the term used to describe an abnormal early-morning increase in blood sugar (glucose) — usually between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. — in people with diabetes.
Some researchers believe it's due to the natural overnight release of hormones — including growth hormones, cortisol, glucagon, and epinephrine — that increase insulin resistance. Other causes may include insufficient insulin administration the night before, incorrect medication dosages, or eating carbohydrate snacks at bedtime.
Dawn phenomenon can be treated by avoiding carbohydrate intake at bedtime, adjusting the dosage of medication or insulin, switching to a different medication, or by using an insulin pump to administer extra insulin during early-morning hours.