What is a rebound (the Somogyi Effect)?
According to the National Institutes of Health, the Somogyi effect is defined as a fasting hyperglycemia that occurs after inducement of nocturnal hypoglycemia by regular insulin. However, many diabetics experience a blood sugar rebound after a moderate or severe hypoglycemic event, not just those that occur while sleeping. The blood sugar level at which a diabetic experiences a “rebound” varies. Both insulin dependent and some medication dependent diabetics are susceptible to low blood sugar and thus, are susceptible to a blood sugar “rebound.” Do you have dawn phenomenon? Insulin-dependent diabetics can determine whether they are experiencing dawn phenomenon by performing basal testing in order to rule out other potential culprits such as: · The Somogyi effect · Delayed food digestion · An improper basal setting or insulin waning A basal test is frequent glucose testing (e.g. every two hours) while eliminating other variables such as food, bolus insulin injections, stimulants such as
