We’re all aware of the dangers of high blood sugar levels and there’s a lot of material available on how to deal with this problem. However, there’s another issue that many people with diabetes have to contend with – low blood sugar. If you have diabetes it’s important to understand what low blood sugar is and how to treat it because it’s a dangerous condition that requires immediate treatment.

What Is Low Blood Sugar Or Hypoglycemia?

If you have low blood sugar (or low blood glucose or hypoglycemia) then it means that the glucose level in your blood has dropped to an unhealthy level.

Typically, for people with diabetes this means that your blood glucose reading is below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

However, this number can vary from person to person. Your doctor will help you arrive at the figure that indicates a low blood sugar level for you.^[1][Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/low-blood-glucose-hypoglycemia “Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)”).National … Continue reading Severely low blood sugar can have serious consequences such as loss of consciousness, coma, and even death.

What Are The Causes Of Low Blood Sugar?

Many factors can lead to low blood sugar:

1. In People With Diabetes

In people with diabetes the following factors can cause low blood sugar:

• Diabetes medication: Low blood sugar levels can be a side effect of diabetes medication such as insulin, sulfonylurea, and meglitinides. Speak to your doctor to understand the side effects of any medication that you’re on.
• Fasting: Taking medicines which bring down your blood sugar while fasting can raise your risk for low blood sugar. Avoid any and all kinds of fasting.
• Not having enough carbs: When you consume foods or drinks containing carbs then your digestive system breaks it down into glucose. This glucose then enters your bloodstream and increases your blood glucose. If you don’t consume enough carbs or if you delay or skip meals then your blood sugar could fall to unhealthy levels.
• Drinking alcohol: Alcohol makes it more difficult for your body to maintain a steady blood glucose level. This is particularly so if you drink without having any food.
• Being sick: You may not be able to eat properly when you’re sick and this can lower blood sugar. As can vomiting. In either case, try to stay hydrated and have smaller meals throughout the day.
• Increasing your level of physical activity: Increasing your level of physical activity beyond what you normally do can reduce your blood sugar for up to 24 hours afterwards. This does not mean that you should not be physically active if you have diabetes. On the contrary, physical activity is good for diabetics. However, make sure that you exercise safely. Check in with your doctor before you start a new exercise plan. Your doctor may recommend reducing your diabetes medication or having a small snack (with carbs) before, after, or during exercise. Also make sure you stay hydrated while exercising.^[2][Diabetes Diet, Eating, & Physical Activity](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/diet-eating-physical-activity “Diabetes Diet, Eating, & Physical … Continue reading ^[3][Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/low-blood-glucose-hypoglycemia “Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)”).National … Continue reading

2. In People Without Diabetes

Low blood sugar is typically not common in people who don’t have diabetes. However, the following factors can cause low blood sugar in them:

• Postprandial hypoglycemia or reactive hypoglycemia, where your body releases excessive insulin after having food.
• Gastric bypass surgery (a kind of weight loss surgery)
• Complication due to pregnancy
• Fasting or malnutrition
• Medical conditions such as issues with your pancreas, adrenal glands, kidneys, heart, or hormone levels
• Certain medicines
• Check with your doctor if you experience symptoms of low blood sugar even if you don’t have diabetes. You doctor can test your blood sugar levels and figure out if and why you have low blood sugar.^[4][Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-blood-sugar-hypoglycaemia/ “Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)”).NHS.

What Are The Symptoms Of Low Blood Sugar?

Symptoms of low blood glucose can occur quickly and may also differ from person to person. Initial symptoms can include:

• Tiredness
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Hunger
• Trembling or feeling jittery
• A fast or unsteady heartbeat
• Tingling lips
• Irritability, anxiety, tearfulness, moodiness
• Turning pale

If low blood sugar is left untreated you may experience symptoms like:

• Blurred vision
• Weakness
• Trouble focusing
• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Slurred speech, clumsiness, or unusual behavior
• Fits or seizures
• Loss of consciousness

What Are The Symptoms Of Low Blood Sugar During Sleep?

You can also experience low blood sugar while you’re sleeping. This can cause symptoms like:

• Having a nightmare or crying out in your sleep
• Sweating heavily (enough to make your night clothes or bed sheets damp)
• Feeling irritable, tired or confused when you wake up
• Headaches^[5][Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-blood-sugar-hypoglycaemia/ “Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)”).NHS. ^[6][Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/low-blood-glucose-hypoglycemia “Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)”).National … Continue reading

How To Tackle Sudden Dip In Blood Sugar

A low blood sugar level can be quite dangerous and needs immediate treatment. But you can usually handle it yourself. If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar or your blood sugar level is below 70 mg/dL or your target, here are the steps you need to follow:

• Step 1: Consume 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrates or glucose immediately.
• Step 2: Wait for 15 minutes and check your blood sugar level. If your blood sugar level is still low, have another 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrates or glucose. Repeat this step till your blood sugar comes back within its target range.
• Step 3: If you’re not going to have your next meal for more than an hour then have a snack to keep your blood sugar within a healthy range. You can try something with a carb that releases energy more slowly such as a slice of bread, a glass of cow’s milk, or a couple of biscuits.

Precaution

While you can usually treat low blood sugar by yourself you need to inform your doctor if you experience low blood sugar levels frequently or stop getting symptoms when you have low blood sugar. Your doctor may modify your treatment or diet plan accordingly.^[7][Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-blood-sugar-hypoglycaemia/ “Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)”).NHS.

What To Eat To Deal With Low Blood Sugar

Here are a few examples of foods that contain approximately 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrates and will raise your blood sugar level quickly. Do keep in mind that foods that contain fat or protein (for example, ice cream, cookies, bread, cake frosting etc.) won’t increase your blood sugar quickly even though they contain carbs.

• Glucose: Have 1 tube of glucose gel or 4 glucose tablets.
• Fruit juice: Have half a cup (4 ounces) of fruit juice such as grape juice, apple juice, or cranberry juice. But make sure you’re not getting a reduced sugar or diet variety. Avoid orange juice if you have kidney disease since it’s high in potassium.
• Soda or soft drink: Have half a can or 4-6 ounces of a soft drink. Again, make sure you’re not getting the diet variety.
• Corn syrup, sugar, or honey: 1 tablespoon of honey, corn syrup, or sugar should do the drink. You can dissolve the sugar in a little water if you like.

Precaution

Certain diabetes medications slow down carbohydrate digestion to prevent sugar spikes after you eat. If you take such medicines then you’ll need to use glucose gel or glucose tablets to treat low blood sugar. Other carb sources might not increase your blood sugar levels quickly enough.^[8][Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/low-blood-glucose-hypoglycemia “Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)”).National … Continue reading ^[9][Quick-Sugar Foods](https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa20698 “Quick-Sugar Foods”).University of Michigan Health.

How To Treat Severe Low Blood Sugar

When your blood sugar goes extremely low you may lose consciousness or have a seizure. This is extremely dangerous and needs immediate treatment.

Very low blood sugar levels are treated with a hormone known as glucagon which increases blood sugar levels. This is available as an injection or a nasal spray.

Since you won’t be able to treat yourself it’s important to teach your friends, family, and colleagues how to administer glucagon. Speak to your doctor about how to use a glucagon kit.^[10][Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/low-blood-glucose-hypoglycemia “Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)”).National … Continue reading

Tips To Prevent Low Blood Sugar If You Have Diabetes

If you use medicines to treat diabetes the following tips can be helpful in warding off low blood sugar.

• Eat right. Your meal plan should include enough carbs to keep your blood sugar level within your target range. And if you consume alcohol make sure you also have some food with it.
• Make sure you always carry quick acting carbs such as a juice box or glucose tablets with you so that you can take action if you feel symptoms of low blood sugar come on.
• Monitor your blood sugar when you exercise. Physical activity can bring down blood sugar while you’re exercising as well as for hours later. It’s a good idea to monitor your blood sugar before, during, and after exercise and adjust your medication and carb intake to prevent low blood sugar.
• Speak with your doctor to understand if any medication you’re on can cause low blood sugar. Also figure out how to monitor your blood sugar levels. Your doctor will also give you inputs on how to treat and prevent low blood sugar.^[11][Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/low-blood-glucose-hypoglycemia “Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)”).National … Continue reading