This is normal. But if it goes below the healthy range and is not treated, it can get dangerous. Low blood sugar is when your blood sugar levels have fallen low enough that you need to take action to bring them back to your target range. However, talk to your diabetes care team about your own blood sugar targets, and what level is too low for you.
Low blood sugar may also be referred to as an insulin reaction, or insulin shock. Each person's reaction to low blood sugar is different. Learn your own signs and symptoms of when your blood sugar is low. Taking time to write these symptoms down may help you learn your own symptoms of when your blood sugar is low. From milder, more common indicators to most severe, signs and symptoms of low blood sugar include:.
The only sure way to know whether you are experiencing low blood sugar is to check your blood sugar, if possible.
If you are experiencing symptoms and you are unable to check your blood sugar for any reason, treat the hypoglycemia. Epinephrine is what can cause the symptoms of hypoglycemia such as thumping heart, sweating, tingling and anxiety. If the blood sugar level continues to drop, the brain does not get enough glucose and stops functioning as it should. This can lead to blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, confused thinking, slurred speech, numbness, and drowsiness.
If blood sugar stays low for too long, starving the brain of glucose, it may lead to seizures, coma and very rarely death. The rule—have 15 grams of carbohydrate to raise your blood sugar and check it after 15 minutes. This may be:.
Make a note about any episodes of low blood sugar and talk with your health care team about why it happened. They can suggest ways to avoid low blood sugar in the future. Many people tend to want to eat as much as they can until they feel better.
This can cause blood sugar levels to shoot way up. Using the step-wise approach of the " Rule" can help you avoid this, preventing high blood sugar levels. Glucagon is a hormone produced in the pancreas that stimulates your liver to release stored glucose into your bloodstream when your blood sugar levels are too low.
Glucagon is used to treat someone with diabetes when their blood sugar is too low to treat using the rule. Glucagon is available by prescription and is either injected or administered or puffed into the nostril. For those who are familiar with injectable glucagon, there are now two injectable glucagon products on the market—one that comes in a kit and one that is pre-mixed and ready to use. Speak with your doctor about whether you should buy a glucagon product, and how and when to use it.
International Hypoglycaemia Study Group. Minimizing hypoglycemia in diabetes. Diabetes Care. Drug-induced low blood sugar.
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I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Severe Hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemic Episode. Glucose Levels. When to See a Healthcare Provider.
Balancing Glucose Levels Glucose is the main source of energy for your body and brain. When to Check Your Blood Sugar The most important times to check your blood sugar are first thing in the morning and at night, although it is advised that you check multiple times a day if you are frequently hypoglycemic. Alcohol and Hypoglycemic Attacks Drinking alcohol has been shown to trigger hypoglycemic attacks even in individuals with diabetes who have taken their insulin hours before.
Share Information With Family and Friends Severe hypoglycemia can render you unconscious or too weak to seek help, so it is important to share information about your condition with a trusted friend or family member who is willing to help in the event of an emergency.
Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. It can also be dangerous when your blood sugar gets too low.
Low blood sugar is known as hypoglycemia. It occurs when the glucose level in your blood falls below normal. Low blood sugar can happen if you take medications for diabetes that increase insulin levels in your body.
This includes mental confusion, seizures, brain damage, coma, and even death in rare cases. The symptoms of hypoglycemia usually come on rapidly. Learning to recognize the symptoms is the first step to getting treatment. The faster you recognize and treat hypoglycemia, the better. The symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from person to person. In general, though, the symptoms of a mild episode include one or more of the following:.
You should keep carbohydrate-rich snacks nearby at all times just in case. The fastest way to combat an episode of hypoglycemia is by eating or drinking roughly 15 grams of carbohydrates right away.
Keep in mind that you may not have any hypoglycemia symptoms. Ask your doctor how often you should be checking your blood sugar with a blood glucose meter. Always check your blood glucose levels before driving or operating machinery. If you experience episodes of hypoglycemia regularly, ask your doctor about using a continuous glucose monitor CGM. This will help to keep blood glucose levels stable. If symptoms are severe, and the individual cannot treat themselves, somebody else will need to apply honey, treacle, jam, or Glucogel to the inside of the cheeks and then gently massage the outside of the cheeks.
If the person loses consciousness, someone should place them in the recovery position, and a qualified health professional should administer a glucagon injection. If this is not possible, someone should call for emergency services to take the person to the emergency department of a hospital. It is important not to place food or drink into the mouth of an unconscious person, as it could block the airways. Low-sugar diet : A low intake of simple sugars and a high intake of complex carbohydrates is helpful.
Complex carbs take longer to absorb, and this can help prevent glucose swings. Small, frequent meals : Eating small meals at least three times a day can help maintain blood sugar levels. Find out more about counting carbs in our dedicated article here. Some people have recommended a low-sugar, high-protein diet for people with hypoglycemia, but this may reduce glucose tolerance and add unwanted fat to the diet. Eating regular meals that include complex carbohydrates can prevent hypoglycemia for most people.
Checking blood glucose levels : Those at risk should check their blood sugar levels regularly and know how to recognize the symptoms. Alcohol : Follow the daily alcohol limits that a doctor recommends and avoid drinking alcohol without food. Exercise : Eat a carbohydrate-rich snack before exercising and be aware of how exercise can impact blood sugar levels.
Taking care when sick : Vomiting, for example, can prevent the body from absorbing enough energy. Being ready : Carry a container of sugary fruit juice or a candy bar in case symptoms appear. Letting people know : Those who are prone to low blood sugar should let friends, colleagues, and family members know. Medical ID : Carrying a form of ID or medical bracelet will enable healthcare providers, emergency services, and others to know what to do sooner.
Hypoglycemia can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, and, in severe cases, a loss of consciousness. People with a number of medical conditions, including diabetes, may have a higher risk of hypoglycemia. It is important to know how to recognize the symptoms and to be ready to take action if they occur. A hypoglycemic episode, or hypo, occurs when blood glucose falls to a potentially dangerous level.
Learn about the causes, warning signs, and…. Glucagon injections are used to treat severe hypoglycemia. Find out about cost, financial and insurance assistance, and more. Baqsimi is a prescription drug that treats severely low blood sugar.
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