Living with diabetes can feel like a constant balancing act. One moment your blood sugar is steady, and the next it’s spiking or dropping without warning. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by unpredictable highs and lows, you’re not alone. Many people living with diabetes struggle to make sense of their numbers, even when they’re following medical advice to the letter.

November is American Diabetes Month, a time to raise awareness and empower individuals with the tools and education they need to manage their condition. At Piedmont Medical Solutions, we’re here to help you better understand the causes of blood sugar fluctuations and how tools like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can help you regain control and confidence.

Why Blood Sugar Fluctuations Can Be So Frustrating

Frequent blood sugar swings can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally. They affect:

  • Your energy levels
  • Mood and focus
  • Sleep quality
  • Overall sense of wellbeing

You might feel fine one moment and suddenly shaky, irritable, or foggy the next. These highs and lows can interfere with work, daily routines, and your quality of life. Even more frustrating, the causes aren’t always obvious. You might eat the same meal two days in a row and see completely different results.

Understanding the underlying factors behind your blood sugar changes is the first step toward better management.

6 Common Causes of Highs and Lows

Blood glucose levels are impacted by a range of variables. Some are easy to spot, while others are more subtle. Here are some of the most common causes:

1. Food Choices and Timing

  • Simple carbs (like white bread, rice, and candy) cause rapid spikes.
  • Complex carbs, fiber, and protein digest more slowly and help stabilize levels.
  • Skipping meals, eating late at night, or eating at inconsistent times can disrupt your body’s rhythm.

2. Stress

  • Emotional and physical stress can raise blood sugar through the release of cortisol and adrenaline.
  • This fight-or-flight response tells your liver to release glucose into the bloodstream—even if you haven’t eaten.

3. Illness and Infection

  • Even a mild cold or infection can trigger blood sugar spikes.
  • Some medications (like steroids or decongestants) can also impact glucose control.

4. Sleep Disruptions

  • Poor or inconsistent sleep affects insulin sensitivity.
  • Even one night of bad sleep can make it harder to keep blood sugar stable.

5. Dehydration

  • Less fluid in the bloodstream can cause glucose concentration to rise.
  • Drinking water consistently can help prevent unexpected highs.

6. Time of Day (Dawn Phenomenon)

  • Many people experience the “dawn phenomenon,” a surge in hormones early in the morning that causes blood sugar to rise.

Why Fingersticks Aren’t Always Enough

Traditional blood glucose monitoring with fingersticks provides a single reading in time, but it doesn’t show what your blood sugar is doing before or after that moment. That’s where continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) come in.

What Is a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)?

A CGM is a small wearable device that provides real-time insights into your glucose levels 24/7. It includes:

  • A sensor inserted just beneath the skin
  • A transmitter that sends glucose readings
  • A receiver or smartphone app that displays your data

Most CGMs measure interstitial glucose (the fluid between your cells), which closely mirrors blood glucose. Readings are typically updated every 5–15 minutes, offering a detailed view of your trends and patterns.

How CGMs Help You Understand Patterns

With a CGM, you can track how your blood sugar changes throughout the day, and how food, activity, stress, and sleep affect your levels. CGMs help you:

  • Understand which foods cause spikes or drops
  • See how exercise or stress affects your glucose
  • Get alerts before a dangerous high or low
  • Adjust your daily routine based on trends

Example: You might notice your blood sugar rises after a banana but stays level after a slice of whole grain toast with peanut butter. With that knowledge, you can make better breakfast choices.

The Power of Real-Time Alerts

Most CGMs allow you to set custom alerts when your blood sugar is rising too quickly, going too high, or dropping too low. These alerts can:

  • Help you take action early
  • Wake you up at night if your sugar drops dangerously low
  • Prevent severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia

What Is “Time in Range”?

Time in range (TIR) refers to the percentage of time your glucose stays within your target range (often 70–180 mg/dL). Increasing your TIR is associated with better health outcomes.

According to clinical studies, people using CGMs often experience:

  • Improved A1C levels
  • Fewer low blood sugar events
  • Better long-term control

Who Can Benefit From a CGM?

While CGMs are commonly associated with Type 1 diabetes, they’re incredibly helpful for many groups:

  • Individuals with Type 1 diabetes
  • People with Type 2 diabetes who use insulin
  • Anyone with frequent highs and lows
  • Newly diagnosed individuals trying to understand glucose response
  • Caregivers monitoring loved ones

Even if you aren’t on insulin, a CGM can help you understand how your body responds to daily habits.

Choosing the Right CGM for You

There are several CGMs on the market, some that pair with insulin pumps and others that work independently. Some require calibration with fingersticks, while newer models do not.

At Piedmont Medical Solutions, we help you:

  • Compare models and features
  • Understand insurance coverage
  • Get your CGM quickly and easily
  • Reorder your supplies with confidence

Contact Your Local Diabetes Supply Experts Today

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your CGM

To use your CGM effectively:

  • Share your reports with your doctor regularly
  • Set high and low glucose alerts that work for your lifestyle
  • Review weekly trends and adjust meals or activity accordingly
  • Stay consistent with sensor changes and maintenance
  • Track how lifestyle factors (like sleep or stress) impact your readings

Education + Support = Better Outcomes

A CGM is a powerful tool, but understanding your data is just as important as having access to it. At Piedmont Medical Solutions, we offer ongoing support to help you:

  • Interpret CGM readings
  • Navigate your insurance benefits
  • Reorder your supplies with ease
  • Stay on top of new technology and tools

Ready to Get Started? Request a CGM Today

You’re Not Alone

Managing diabetes isn’t easy, but tools like CGMs are making it more manageable every day. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by highs and lows, a CGM can help you take the guesswork out of your day and put the control back in your hands.

This American Diabetes Month, take charge of your health. Reach out to Piedmont Medical Solutions to learn more about CGMs, how they work, and how we can support your journey.

Talk to a Caring Piedmont Team Member Today