The dawn phenomenon, also known as the mid-day phenomenon, is an observed rise in blood glucose levels which occurs during the early morning, usually in between two and eight a.m., often in response to food intake or activity. Although the phenomenon may appear more commonly in people of European descent, it is actually present in several cultures all over the world.
Dawn phenomenon is a phenomenon in which blood glucose levels are increased during the day. This may occur on an individual basis, or it may take place throughout the course of a day. It may also be related to other conditions such as pregnancy, diabetics and people suffering from hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).
There are several ways in which the phenomenon can take place. Some of these are:
- Insulin Resistance – The mechanism through which the rising blood glucose is possible is because the cells are not able to utilize insulin properly. If insulin resistance is not controlled, blood glucose will remain elevated during the day, thus causing the phenomenon. The mechanism by which insulin resistance occurs is that the pancreatic hormone insulin does not produce enough insulin when carbohydrates are consumed.
- Insulin Resistance and Hormones – The hormone insulin has its own set of receptor sites which are responsible for controlling the amount of blood glucose. When glucose is produced by the pancreas, the body uses insulin to control how much glucose is produced and transported to different tissues such as the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles.
- Carbohydrate Intolerance – When people do not feel any effects from carbohydrate consumption, there may be some degree of carbohydrate intolerance which is responsible. When the body is unable to respond properly to carbohydrate intake, the body's system does not respond properly to glucose, thus the phenomena taking place.
Blood glucose. Some people find it very difficult to maintain a stable level of glucose in their body all the time. This is because the human body tends to store excess glucose as glycogen (a form of stored energy) instead of using it. When the body uses excess energy, glucose is released from glycogen to replenish the body's energy stores.
In addition to the factors mentioned above, the dawn phenomenon can also occur if a person's blood glucose level is not in equilibrium with the glucose level in his or her bloodstream. These are the reasons why glucose monitoring is necessary if this phenomenon is to be avoided.
A good way to deal with the sunrise phenomenon is to control your diet and exercise regimen. A proper diet rich in protein and other important nutrients is a very good way to deal with this phenomenon.
When you eat a balanced diet the body will be able to use glucose efficiently in your body to produce the energy it needs for all vital functions. Then you can feel refreshed day and night and have the energy to go about your daily activities without feeling tired or sluggish.
The body will also be able to better regulate its energy supply by getting energy from food and using it in the right way and in the right places. Once your body can do this, the need for this phenomenon will decrease.
As an exercise routine, exercising on a regular basis can also be helpful to deal with the phenomenon. It is very important to ensure that you always increase the amount of exercise you do in order to ensure that you are not over-stretching or over-exercising so that your body does not end up being depleted.
However, just as with all causes of the dawn phenomenon, it is important to be aware of how to avoid it and what to do if it takes place. Keeping a diary of your eating habits is also important to keep track of the phenomenon.