What characterizes the Somogyi effect?

The Somogyi effect is characterized by a cycle of low blood sugar levels followed by a rebound increase in blood glucose. This phenomenon typically occurs during the night when a person with diabetes experiences hypoglycemia, often due to excess insulin administration or missed meals. In response to the hypoglycemia, the body activates counterregulatory hormones such as glucagon, epinephrine, and cortisol, which stimulate gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, leading to an increase in blood glucose levels by morning.

This pattern demonstrates the body's physiological response to protect against hypoglycemia but can ultimately result in elevated glucose levels upon awakening, reflecting the body's attempt to counteract the dip in glucose. Understanding this effect is crucial for managing diabetes, as it can lead to challenges in achieving stable glucose control.

The other options highlight other aspects that may not accurately reflect the Somogyi effect. For example, the early morning rise in blood glucose could also be associated with the dawn phenomenon rather than the rebound hyperglycemia seen in the Somogyi effect. Additionally, while some might consider the prevalence in type 2 diabetics or the elderly, the hallmark of the Somogyi effect is primarily focused on the cycle of hypoglycemia followed by rebound hyperglycemia,