Stress affects everyone.
During stressful situations, epinephrine (adrenaline), glucagon, growth hormone and cortisol play a role in blood glucose levels. Stressful situations include infections, serious illness or significant emotion stress.
What happens to my blood glucose levels when I’m stressed?
When stressed, the body prepares itself by ensuring that enough sugar (glucose) or energy is readily available. Insulin levels fall, glucagon and epinephrine (adrenaline) levels rise and more glucose is released from the liver. At the same time, growth hormone and cortisol levels rise, which causes body tissues (muscle and fat) to be less sensitive to insulin. As a result, more glucose is available in the bloodstream.
Diabetes & stress
When you have Diabetes, hypoglycemia or low blood glucose are a common cause of stress.
The hormonal response to a low blood glucose includes a rapid release of epinephrine (and glucagon for a year or so after diagnosis), followed by a slower release of cortisol and growth hormone. These hormonal responses to the low blood glucose may last for 6-8 hours - during that time the blood glucose may be difficult to control. The phenomena of low blood glucose followed by high blood glucose is called a “rebound” or “Somogyi” effect.
When you have Diabetes, stress may make your blood glucose go up and become more difficult to manage–and you may need to take higher doses of insulin.