Diabetic Hypoglycemia – Symptoms and Causes
Understanding Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in people with diabetes happens when blood glucose levels drop too low, typically below 70 mg/dL. This condition can be dangerous because glucose is the main fuel for your body and brain.
Each person may have different target ranges for blood sugar. It’s important to ask your healthcare provider what numbers are right for you.
Recognizing early warning signs of low blood sugar is crucial. When levels drop, you can quickly raise your blood sugar by consuming simple sugars.
Here are some common options:
- Glucose tablets
- Hard candy
- Fruit juice
- Regular soda
- Honey
- Table sugar
These fast-acting carbohydrates help restore blood sugar levels quickly. Keep these items easily accessible at home, work, and while traveling.
It’s also important to inform family members and friends about your condition. Make sure they know what symptoms to watch for and how to help if you can’t treat yourself.
Some people might need emergency glucagon kits for severe episodes when they can’t eat or drink.
Signs and Warning Signs
When blood sugar drops too low, your body shows several early warning signs. These include:
- Pale skin
- Shaking
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Excessive sweating
- Sudden hunger or feeling sick
- Rapid or uneven heartbeat
- Trouble focusing
- Weakness and low energy
- Being easily annoyed or anxious
- Headaches
- Tingling or numbness around the mouth
Sleep-Related Signals
Low blood sugar during sleep can cause:
- Waking up with damp pajamas or sheets from sweat
- Bad dreams or nightmares
- Waking up feeling tired, irritable, or confused
Dangerous Signals
If not treated quickly, low blood sugar can lead to more serious symptoms:
- Confusion or strange behavior, including trouble completing simple tasks
- Poor coordination
- Trouble speaking clearly
- Vision problems
- Being unable to eat or drink
- Muscle weakness
- Extreme sleepiness
In very severe cases, a person might experience:
- Seizures
- Passing out
- In rare cases, death
Symptoms vary from person to person and may change with each episode. Some people might not notice any symptoms at all.
When to Get Medical Help for Low Blood Sugar
It’s important to know when low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) requires medical attention. Your health and safety depend on recognizing these situations.
Seek emergency care immediately if someone with diabetes becomes unconscious or can’t swallow due to low blood sugar. These are signs of severe hypoglycemia that needs urgent treatment.
For serious low blood sugar emergencies:
- DON’T give insulin – this makes blood sugar drop even more
- DON’T give food or drinks – the person might choke
- DO administer glucagon if available (injection or nasal spray)
- DO call 911 if glucagon isn’t available or you don’t know how to use it
Tell your family, friends, and coworkers about your condition. Show them where you keep your glucagon and teach them how to use it. This preparation can save critical time during an emergency.
Contact your doctor if you experience hypoglycemia symptoms multiple times per week. Frequent episodes suggest your treatment plan may need adjustment. Your medication dosage or timing might require changes to better manage your blood sugar.
Remember that people close to you can help spot early symptoms you might miss. This early detection can prevent a mild episode from becoming dangerous.
Why Blood Sugar Gets Low
Blood sugar levels change based on what we eat and our body’s use of insulin. When someone has diabetes, this balance can get thrown off. Several factors can cause blood sugar to drop too low:
- Taking more insulin or diabetes medicine than needed
- Not eating enough food
- Skipping meals
- Exercising more than usual without eating extra food
- Drinking alcoholic beverages
Most glucose comes from the food we eat. Insulin is a hormone that helps lower blood sugar when levels get too high. For people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who need insulin, taking too much can make blood sugar drop too low.
Blood sugar can also fall if someone takes their diabetes medicine but eats less than normal. Exercise uses up glucose too, so being more active than usual without adjusting food or medicine can cause problems.
Risk Factors
Some people face higher chances of having low blood sugar due to diabetes. These include:
- People who use insulin
- Those taking sulfonylurea medications (glipizide, glimepiride, glyburide)
- Very young children and the elderly
- Individuals with poor liver or kidney function
- Those who have had diabetes for many years
People who can’t feel symptoms of low blood sugar are also at higher risk. Taking multiple medications increases the danger too.
Anyone with disabilities that prevent quick action when blood sugar drops faces greater risk. Drinking alcohol can also lead to dangerous drops in blood sugar levels for people with diabetes.
Complications
Ignoring the signs of hypoglycemia can have serious consequences. When blood sugar drops too low for too long, you may lose consciousness because your brain depends on glucose to work properly.
If left untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to:
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
- Death in severe cases
It’s important to take early warning signs seriously. People with diabetes who experience hypoglycemia face increased risks of dangerous accidents that could be life-threatening.
Prevention
Preventing low blood sugar is a key part of diabetes care. People with diabetes can take several steps to avoid dangerous drops in blood sugar levels.
Blood sugar monitoring is essential. Check your levels as often as your doctor suggests. This might be a few times weekly or several times daily.
Regular testing is the only way to know if your blood sugar stays in your target range.
Eat meals and snacks on schedule. Don’t skip or delay eating, especially if you take insulin or diabetes pills. Stay consistent with both the timing and amount of food you eat.
Take medications correctly. Measure your insulin or other diabetes medications carefully and take them at the right times.
When exercising, you may need to adjust your medication or eat extra snacks. These changes should be based on your blood sugar readings, the type of activity, and how long you’ll be active. You should also consider the medications you take.
If you drink alcohol, always have food with it. Drinking on an empty stomach can cause low blood sugar. Be aware that alcohol can also lower blood sugar hours after drinking, making monitoring extra important.
Keep a record of any low blood sugar episodes. This helps identify patterns and triggers so you can prevent future problems.
Wear medical ID. A bracelet, necklace, or wallet card telling others you have diabetes can be lifesaving in emergencies when you can’t speak for yourself.
