On a direct level, stress raises the blood sugar. In a healthy person, the reaction may be useful for the energy and alertness needed to deal with difficult situations. In a diabetic, the additional glycogen input cannot be utilized and results in elevation of the blood sugar. Such elevations can be extreme and may result from everything from bumping into an ex-spouse, to getting called by a doctor with the results of a blood test, to having to testify in court. Frequent and timely self-testing may help to mitigate this problem.
Stress also robs the body of necessary nutrient levels.
All of the basic requirements of an individual are increased by stress. When a diabetic's sugar levels become elevated, the body attempts to transport the excess sugar out through the kidneys by increasing urination. In the process of excreting fluids, water-soluble nutrients are lost, and must be replaced by regular supplementation. Exercise plays a direct role in the control of diabetes by increasing the efficiency of available insulin. Combined with diet, exercise may return some Type II diabetics to normal metabolic levels.