Dawn phenomenon

[Guest guest]

When our ancestors swung from trees or lived in caves (bit before my time I

might add) they always roosted in a way that ensured that when they awoke

their bodies were in a tanked up state to immediately repel imminent danger

or run like 'ell to get out of the way. The so called 'fight or flight'

syndrome. Although humans have evolved some things still remain which is

the livers automatic response in releasing stored glucagon (a type of

glucose) to the muscles during deep sleep in the early hours so that when we

awake our muscles have sufficient fuel to either 'fight or run' There are

drugs which help diabetics to repress the release of glucagon because

there's no longer any need to fight or leg it as soon as we wake up. Well I

don't have too anyway. One way of checking this out is to get a BG reading

before you go to bed, take another one at 3 o'clock in the morning and then

compare it with the fasting reading you get after getting out of bed. But

the release of glucagon in the wee small hours has another and very

important function. If a diabetic suffers a hypoglycaemic (low) episode in

the middle of the night which doesn't wake them up in order that remedial

action can be taken, then glucagon is (or should be) automatically released

to ensure that the brain is protected. So that in layman terms is what's

called the 'dawn phenomenon Mind you there is another meaning which

afflicts or is enjoyed by the male of the species but it's not discussed in

polite company so I won't go into that further. <<grin>>

Take care. Barry UK

RE: FBS down to 156 this morning.

> So SORRY, but I am new to all of this, and it still seems so overwhelming

to

> me, BUT, what is Dawn phenomenon??

> JOYCE from Philly