[2] Although not yet completely understood, the dawn phenomenon is thought to be caused by an exaggeration of the normal physiologic hormonal processes that occur overnight.
However, studies have shown that diabetic patients fail to compensate for this transiently increased blood glucose release, resulting in hyperglycemia.
This resulting hyperglycemia is clinically relevant in diabetic patients as its lasting effects can lead to overall poor glycemic control.
Some treatment options include, but are not limited to, dietary modifications, increased exercise before breakfast and during the evening, and oral anti-hyperglycemic medications if a patient's HbA1c is > 7%.
[4][8][10] Insulin pumps can also be used to provide continuous subcutaneous infusions and are regarded as the gold standard for managing the dawn phenomenon in type 1 diabetics.