The Sneaky Blood Sugar Level Saboteur: Inflammation
If you’ve ever stared at your child’s CGM graph wondering, “ Why on earth are they running high- we’ve done everything right!”- you’re not alone. Managing Type 1 Diabetes already feels like a full time job, but sometimes blood sugars misbehave for reasons that aren’t obvious.
One sneaky culprit that often flies under the radar? Inflammation. From sniffles and stress to teething and lack of sleep, inflammation can quietly mess with insulin sensitivity and send glucose levels soaring. Let’s take a closer look at how it works- and what you can do to keep it in check.
What Exactly is Inflammation?
Inflammation is your body’s ways of dealing with injury, infection or stress- a sort of biological “call to arms”. It’s a good thing in small doses (like when fighting off a cold), but when it sticks around or flares up unexpectedly, it can throw a real spanner in the works for blood glucose management.
For those with Type 1 Diabetes, inflammation can raise insulin resistance, making it harder to keep glucose levels steady- even if you haven’t changed a thing in your routine.
What It Looks Like in Glucose Levels
You might spot inflammation at play when:
Blood sugars are persistently high for no obvious reason
Correction doses don’t bring levels down as expected
Your child suddenly needs more insulin than usual
BGs spike overnight or early morning, out of the blue
And often- there’s no fever or visible symptoms to give you a heads up.
Common Inflammation Triggers (That Might Surprise You)
Here’s a list of things that can fire up the body’s inflammatory response- and potentially throw blood sugars into chaos:
Colds, viruses or other infections- Anything from a runny nose to a tummy bug can send BGs soaring.
Teething or new teeth erupting- Especially in younger children, this can trigger inflammation and raised sugars, even if they seem otherwise well.
Minor injuries- A sprained wrist or scraped knee can kick start the immune system
Lack of sleep- Yes, especially in teens. Sleep deprivation fuels inflammation and insulin resistance.
Stress- Emotional stress, school exams, friendship issues…cortisol levels rise and so do BGs.
Poor diet- Diets high in ultra-processed foods, refined carbs and trans fats can increase systemic inflammation
Allergies or environmental triggers- Think hay fever, pollution or even gut health issues.
Signs Your Child Might Be Dealing With Inflammation
Even if they say they feel “fine”, these clues might suggest inflammation’s involved:
A sudden change in insulin needs
Unusually high glucose levels for several days
Moodiness, fatigue or general “off-ness”
Night-time spikes despite usual routine
What Can You Do About It?
While we can’t bubble wrap our children, there are things you can do to reduce inflammation and help manage those tricky blood sugar swings:
1. Get Anti-Inflammatory on the Plate
Add omega-3 rich foods: oily fish (like salmon or mackerel), flaxseeds, walnuts
Colourful veg and fruit: the more variety, the better
Spices like tumeric and ginger are great natural anti-inflammatories
2. Prioritise Good Sleep
Aim for 8-10 hours (even if it means a bit of tech-free time before bed- easier said than done, we know).
3. Keep Moving
Regular activity helps reduce inflammation and improves insulin sensitivity- a walk around the block or a dance-off in the kitchen counts!
4. Nurture the Gut
Fermented foods (like live yoghurt or kefir), fibre and plenty of water support gut health- which is closely linked to inflammation levels.
5. Track & Tweak
If BGs go haywire for more than a day or two, don’t be afraid to adjust insulin with your diabetes team’s guidance. Temporary increases to basal rates or correction factors can make a big difference.
6. Help Manage Stress
Mindfulness apps, journaling, deep breathing or just some quiet time after school can help calm both the mind and the immune system.
Final Word: You’re Already Doing Brilliantly
Inflammation may be invisible, but once you learn to spot its fingerprints, you’re better equipped to respond. You’re not imaging those unexplained highs, and it’s not your fault (or your child’s).
Whether it’s teething, stress or just life being life, you’ve got the tools and the instincts to navigate it.
Keep going- you’re doing an incredible job.
