What condition describes nocturnal hypoglycemia with a rebound elevated blood sugar in the morning?

The condition that describes nocturnal hypoglycemia followed by a rebound elevated blood sugar in the morning is the Somogyi effect. This phenomenon occurs when a person experiences low blood glucose levels during the night; as a compensatory mechanism, the body responds by releasing counter-regulatory hormones, which ultimately leads to an increase in blood glucose levels by morning.

The Somogyi effect particularly emphasizes the role of hypoglycemia triggering a compensatory hormonal response that results in hyperglycemia, distinguishing it from other similar phenomena. For example, the dawn phenomenon involves a natural increase in blood glucose levels due to hormonal changes that occur in the early morning hours, rather than as a response to prior hypoglycemia. Understanding this distinction helps in the management of blood glucose levels, especially in patients with diabetes.

Recognizing the Somogyi effect is important for clinicians in adjusting insulin dosages or nighttime snacks to prevent nighttime hypoglycemia and its consequent rebound effect on morning blood sugar levels.