Somogyi effect is a controversial phenomenon proposed by Dr.Michael Somogyi in 1928. He was a Hungarian-born professor of biochemistry at the Washington University and Jewish Hospital of St. Louis. He is credited with developing the first insulin treatment for diabetes patient in the United States. Results of the findings were published in 1938. This article tries to gain further insight on this topic.
Basics of Diabetes: It is an auto-immune disorder. An ailment is called so when our body’s protection system turns hostile and starts disrupting the normal functioning of cells or pose threat to their existence.
Diabetes is of two types namely, type 1 and type 2. The former affects children below the age of 20 years and the latter affects adults and elderly mostly.
The food we eat gets converted to glucose, which is the source of energy for our body. When it enters blood, it is either supplied to the cells which require it or is stored for later use. A chemical called insulin carries out this task.
In type 2 diabetic patients, this hormone is not produced in sufficient amount. In type 2 diabetic people, the insulin produced is not recognized by the body. The cause of such a behavior is unknown yet. The consequence is rise in blood sugar level or diabetes which is an undesirable condition increasing the risk of several complications in the body.
What is Somogyi Effect?
Type 1 diabetic patients require supply to insulin manually into their body several times a day, to keep the blood sugar level in check. They induced insulin using injections. Dr. Somogyi found that excess intake of insulin can lead to rise of blood sugar level in the body.
This finding is against common sense as, presence of insulin should bring down the blood sugar level and excess presence of insulin should further bring the blood sugar level down. When the levels come down the normal, the condition is called hypoglycemia. Its counterpart is the condition hyperglycemia.
How Somogyi Effect Takes Place?
This effect is a result of normal bodily response to a crisis situation. Just like less insulin production is a threat to the body, its excess dosage can also lead to hypoglycemia.
When such excess intake of insulin dosage happens regularly, the body experiences hypoglycemia state often. As a response to this critical state, the body signals release of glucose from liver to raise the blood sugar level and two other hormones epinephrine and cortisol are also released.
These hormones inhibit the interference of the insulin to bring down the rise in blood sugar level for several hours.
This is how, an excess dose of insulin at night times, leads to higher blood sugar level in the morning at times, experienced by regular users of insulin injections or type 1 diabetic patients.
How to Prevent Somagyi Effect?
There are no scientific evidences to prove that this effect as of now. Though the effect is known to diabetic patients and doctors, it remains controversial owing to lack of proof. Latest research studies even suggest that the effect can even be a false one. However, for those who are aware of this phenomenon, there are certain ways to prevent Somagyi effect. They are:
- Blood sugar measuring devices can be used to measure the levels 6-8 times a day.
- Measuring the blood sugar at night times is very crucial and beneficial in keeping a track of this effect.
- Blood sugar reports should be preserved and monitored on weekly and monthly basis.
