High Blood Sugar and Dizziness in the Morning

A high blood sugar level due to diabetes or other situations can cause a variety of symptoms such as dizziness, and it can even lead to blindness, nerve damage, heart disease and other chronic problems. Morning can be a common time for high blood sugar levels. Understanding what causes a spike in blood glucose and knowing what steps to take to lower it can help you to prevent complications. If your blood sugar level is high in the morning most of the time, it is important to speak with your physician.

Blood Sugar

Your blood sugar level naturally fluctuates throughout the day. The foods you eat, your level of physical activity, stress, illnesses and medications can make your blood sugar levels rise and fall. In general, a normal fasting blood glucose level is below 100 mg/dL, the National Diabetes Education Program says. Once your level reaches between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL, you may be diagnosed with prediabetes. If your level climbs over 125 mg/dL on more than one testing occasion, you may have diabetes.

Hyperglycemia

The medical term for a high level of blood sugar is hyperglycemia. Depending on the cause, it can take hours or days for your blood sugar levels to become so high that you develop symptoms. Symptoms of high blood sugar include not only dizziness but dry mouth, thirst, frequent urination, blurry vision, fatigue, confusion and increased appetite, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics reports. In general, the more severe your symptoms, the higher your blood sugar levels are. If you are having strong dizzy spells, seek medical attention.

Morning Hyperglycemia

Both those with and without diabetes can experience "dawn phenomenon," and those with diabetes can experience the "Somogyi effect." During the early evening, insulin -- whether produced by the body or taken as medication -- works to keep blood sugar levels under control. Toward morning as the body prepares to wake, blood sugar levels start to rise to provide you with energy, Cleveland Clinic notes. This is called the dawn phenomenon, and for some this process causes blood sugar levels to go too high. The Somogyi effect involves the same process but is usually due to taking too much insulin or not eating before bedtime. No matter what the cause, if your blood sugar levels are abnormally high, symptoms of hyperglycemia such as dizziness may occur.

Treatment

If you have high blood sugar levels or dizziness in the morning, speak to your doctor to rule out a serious underlying condition. Your doctor may recommend changing your eating habits, testing your blood sugar levels at home to see how treatment is working or adjusting the dosage of any medications you may be taking, according to MayoClinic.com. Getting regular exercise, keeping your stress levels under control and eating an overall healthy diet will also help.