Everybody experiences stress, and a certain amount of stress IS normal - even good for you When properly handled, stress can add more interest and excitement to your Ilfel
But stress not only affects you mentally and emotionally, it also causes physical changes that prepares your body for 'fight" or "flight.' This built-in survival response happens whether you're involved in a real fight or just
struggling mentally with a problem at home, work or school.
These rapid changes in your body chemistry trigger the release of hormones that raise your blood pressure, heart rate and, in turn,increase your blood sugar levels ThiS IS especially risky for people with diabetes.
What causes stress?
In today's fast-paced world,change is probably one of the leading causes of stress. Remember how you felt when you first found out you had diabetes and learned of the need to make changes in your life style- including your diet,exercise and activities? You continue to experience stress in your everyday life. For example:Litlle things like traffic jams or a busy signal on the phone;problems in your family,your job, personal relationships or finances. Relocations that break up friendships and force adjustment to new e·nvironments.
You may not even be aware of how much stress you suffer. Remember ,no two people in the same family, react in the same way to changes in their lives.
But no matter waht causes stress,learning how to handle it can reduce the risk to your good health-physically,emotionally and mentally.
Why Stress can be dangerous
The body's normal response to stress is to release hormones that raise blood sugar leaves to provide a quick source of energy for coping with stress.These increases in blood sugar levels may upset the balance you are trying to achieve with the management of your diet, exercise and medication. To restore the balance , the stress must be reduced or your diet,exercise or medication must be adjusted to compansatefor the increase in the blood sugar levels, Remember, good diabetes management includes keeping your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.
Symptoms to watch for
Elevated blood sugar levels caused by stress are frequently accompanied by physical warning signs. These include increased thirst,more frequent urination,weakness,blurred thirst,more frequent urination,weakness,blurred vision,stomach pain ,nausea and vomiting. if thease symptoms persist, call your doctor immediately
Importance of monitoring blood sugar levels
Since the response to stress is individual and can vary from person to person,there are no specific rules you can follow.That's why it's so important, when you are under stress,to monitor your blood sugar levels more frequently (every four hours) by doing blood glucose tests. If you are relying on urine testing to monitor your blood sugar levels,you should also test more frequently.
Urine testing for ketones
In addition to more frequent monitoring of blood sugar levels, your doctor may suggest that you also do a urine test during times of stress to detect the presence of ketones. Normally,Ketones are not present in the urine But if your blood sugar is seriously elevated as shown by a blood sugar greater than 240 mg/1 00 mi. or a urine glucose test result greater than 2% (4+),there is a greater likelihood that urine ketones will be present. If you detect ketones,you should call your doctor, since you may have a greater than usual requirement for insulin.
Maintaining your schedule
try to keep your daily meal and exercise schedule as normal as Possible. Never Omit Your Insulin Injections During Times Of
Stress. Your body needs energy which is provided by the Properly controlled balance of food and insulin in order to Cope with stress. Exercise helps alleviate stress and can also reduce blood sugar levels. However, you should not exercise if your blood sugar is very high (greater than 250mg) or if there are ketones present in your urine. How to use exercise for stress management is something that your doctor or nurse should help you with.
How to handle stress
The best way to handle stress is to prevent it! Of Course that may not always be Possible,but there are ways you can learn to reduce stressPhysically,emotionally and mentally.
Attention to your physical health is vital in learning how to handle stress.But equally important is your mot;vation and your
ommitment to builCJing a good emotional
Ititude and POsitive mental outlook on life.
positive approach to reducing stress is ealthy for everyone- not just people with iabetes.The fOllowing are some ways :
- Eat wisely
- Consult your physiCian for professional advice.
- Exercise regularly
- Take time to rest,relax
- Set goals in your life
- Adapt to change
- Communicate your feelings
- Think positively
The more you know about stress and its effect
on your body, the better you can control your diabetes and protect. your health.