Can anxiety cause a rise in blood sugar?

Hi. It’s Jenny at AnxietyBoss.com. Our question today is from Marjorie in Los Angeles. Can anxiety cause a rise in blood sugar?

Stress is the main culprit of many modern day ailments and one of these is its ability to cause a rise in blood sugar. Blood sugar is the glucose in the blood and when levels aren’t controlled, we’re at risk of a host of health complications. Not controlling high blood sugar leads to serious complications such as stroke, nerve damage, hormonal imbalance, skin lesions, kidney problems, heart attack, and eye problems.

But can anxiety cause a rise in blood sugar? Yes. It can. In fact, anything upsetting places physical stress on the body, and these stressors have a negative effect on our blood sugar levels. Repeated episodes of stress cause serious complications. And if blood glucose levels are allowed to go outside normal levels for extended periods of time, inflammation, circulatory problems, and heart disease can occur.

High blood sugar or hyperglycemia is serious for people with diabetes because damage to nerves as well as other body organs can occur. The body and brain both need sugar as energy, but the problem is over consumption. Treating high blood sugar levels requires tackling what caused the rise in blood sugar in the first place.

Health care professionals can offer sound advice on keeping your blood sugar levels healthy. Try to eat small meals regularly and don’t skip meals. If you are taking insulin, make sure it’s the right amount and check your blood sugar levels regularly. It’s a good idea to speak to a reputable dietician who can recommend an appropriate eating plan for you.

Make a plan to get some exercise like walking, swimming, or cycling. Anxiety takes the sparkle and quality out of life and causes a rise in blood sugar which leads to health issues. Fortunately, anxiety is treatable and there are medications, a change in diet and exercise, as well as other effective methods to manage stress and to avoid serious health risks linked to it.