Low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia in the medical literature and refers to a condition in which blood sugar falls below normal levels. Hypoglycemia usually occurs due to excessive physical activity, malnutrition, and excessive use of diabetes medications or insulin. Symptoms include tremors, sweating, dizziness, feeling hungry, rapid heartbeat, and concentration difficulties. In severe cases, loss of consciousness and neurological problems may also occur. Low blood sugar can be an emergency and must be treated. Blood sugar often needs to be raised quickly by consuming quickly absorbed carbohydrates (for example, fruit juice or candy). To prevent hypoglycemia, a balanced diet, regular meals and compliance with doctor’s recommendations are important.
What is hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia is a condition in which blood sugar levels fall below normal. When blood sugar levels fall below 70 mg/dL, it is considered hypoglycemia. The most common cause of hypoglycemia is overdose of insulin or oral antidiabetic medications in people with diabetes. Hypoglycemia can also occur in people without diabetes in situations such as fasting, excessive exercise or alcohol consumption. Symptoms of hypoglycemia, or in other words, sudden drop in blood sugar:
- Sweating
- Shake
- dizziness
- Headache
- Unrest
- difficulty concentrating
- Tiredness
- speech disorders
- Weakness
- Faint
Hypoglycemia is a serious health problem. If left untreated, it can cause loss of consciousness and even death. To avoid hypoglycemia, it is important for people with diabetes to take insulin or oral antidiabetic medications according to the doctor’s instructions. It is important for people without diabetes to avoid fasting, excessive exercise or alcohol consumption.
What causes low blood sugar?
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur for various reasons. Diabetics use insulin or antidiabetic drugs to regulate blood sugar. However, excessive use of these medications or combined with inadequate nutrition may cause blood sugar to drop. Prolonged fasting or a low-carb diet can limit the body’s glucose supply and lead to low blood sugar.
Excessive physical activity can cause the body to consume energy rapidly, which can lead to low blood sugar. Alcohol can inhibit the liver’s production of glucose and lead to low blood sugar. The liver and kidneys are organs that help regulate blood sugar. When there are problems in these organs, the risk of low blood sugar may increase.
Hormonal problems, endocrine disorders, and rare medical conditions can affect blood sugar and lead to hypoglycemia. Rarely, the pancreas producing abnormally high amounts of insulin (insulinoma) can cause low blood sugar.
What does low sugar do to the body?
Low blood sugar, that is, hypoglycemia, can cause various negative effects on the body. Some effects that low sugar can have on the body:
- Tremors and Sweating: Low blood sugar often causes shivering and excessive sweating. This is a result of the body trying to warm itself and produce energy.
- Dizziness and Headache: Low blood sugar can prevent enough glucose from reaching the brain. This can lead to dizziness and even headaches.
- Feeling of Hunger: When the body lowers blood sugar, a feeling of hunger may occur and the person may need to consume more food.
- Fast Heartbeat and Anxiety: Hypoglycemia can cause stress responses such as rapid heartbeat and anxiety (anxiety disorder).
- Loss of Concentration: When the brain experiences glucose deficiency, problems with concentration, focus and cognitive functions may occur.
- Loss of consciousness: If low blood sugar reaches a serious level, loss of consciousness or fainting may occur.
At what level does sugar become dangerous?
A drop in blood sugar (glucose) to a dangerous level, often called hypoglycemia, can lead to symptoms. There is no definitive value for a dangerous blood sugar level because each individual’s tolerance is different. But typically, blood sugar drops to 70 mg/dL or lower are considered dangerous. This low level can disrupt the normal functionality of brain and body cells and cause serious symptoms.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include shaking, sweating, dizziness, feeling hungry, rapid heartbeat, irritability, and even loss of consciousness. When experiencing hypoglycemia, it is important to take glucose quickly and consult a doctor, as severe hypoglycemia can lead to serious health problems.
How to fix low blood sugar?
Treatment for low blood sugar aims to raise blood sugar quickly. In cases of mild hypoglycemia, consuming fast-absorbing carbohydrates, such as fruit juice or candy, can rapidly increase blood sugar. In more severe cases of hypoglycemia, medical interventions such as intravenous glucose or glucagon may be required. People who are prone to hypoglycemia should plan their meals and snacks at regular intervals.
Diabetic patients should use insulin or antidiabetic medications appropriately and comply with the treatment plan given by their doctor. In case of low blood sugar, it is important to consult a doctor and determine the root cause because recurrent hypoglycemia can be a sign of underlying health problems. The following steps can be followed to treat low blood sugar:
- In cases of mild hypoglycemia, fast-absorbing carbohydrates can rapidly raise blood sugar. For example, simple carbohydrates such as fruit juice, glucose tablets, candy or white bread can be preferred. The effect of these foods is usually rapid.
- Monitoring the drop in blood sugar is important to track the recovery process. After the sugar drop, blood sugar levels should return to normal.
- Consuming regular and balanced meals can prevent blood sugar fluctuations. A diet especially containing complex carbohydrates, fiber, protein and healthy fats can keep blood sugar more balanced.
- Regular physical activity can help regulate blood sugar, but proper planning must be done to prevent blood sugar drops during exercise.
- Diabetics should carry a hypo-kit for emergencies. This kit should include important information such as fast-acting carbohydrates, glucagon (an injectable medication), and emergency contact information.
If you experience frequent hypoglycemia due to diabetes or another health problem, it is important to see a doctor. Your doctor may adjust medication doses or treatment plan.
What to eat when blood sugar drops?
When blood sugar drops, it is important to consume fast-absorbing carbohydrates to quickly raise blood sugar. “What to eat when blood sugar drops?” Foods that can be examples of the question:
- Fruit juice: Natural fruit juices, such as freshly squeezed orange juice or apple juice, can quickly raise blood sugar.
- Glucose Tablets: Specially designed glucose tablets are an effective option to raise blood sugar quickly and are easy to carry.
- Sugary Candies: Simple carbohydrates, such as sugar or candy, can also raise blood sugar quickly.
- Honey: Honey is a natural sweetener and can quickly raise blood sugar.
- Biscuits or Crackers: Cookies or crackers containing sugar can also be used to increase blood sugar.
Consuming these foods when blood sugar drops can quickly relieve symptoms. However, consuming too much can cause blood sugar to rise too high and then drop again. Therefore, moderation is important when using fast-absorbing carbohydrates.
What are the symptoms of low postprandial blood sugar?
Low postprandial blood sugar refers to the condition in which blood sugar levels are lower than normal after a meal. This can be especially seen in people with certain health problems or problems with post-meal insulin release. Symptoms of low postprandial blood sugar may include:
- Weakness and Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shake
- Sweating
- Palpitation
- Nausea
- Headache
- Concentration Problems
Low postprandial blood sugar may indicate that a person is unable to maintain postprandial blood sugar levels within the normal range, and this may be associated with metabolic problems, especially insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. If you are experiencing such symptoms, you should be evaluated by a healthcare professional or endocrinologist. It is important to determine the underlying cause and create a treatment plan.
What are the symptoms of low blood sugar during sleep?
Low blood sugar during sleep (nocturnal hypoglycemia) refers to a condition in which a person’s blood sugar falls below normal levels during sleep. This condition is especially common in diabetic patients, especially individuals with type 1 diabetes. Symptoms of low blood sugar during sleep may include:
- Sudden episodes of sweating are a distinct symptom of low blood sugar during sleep.
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) may be felt during sleep when blood sugar drops.
- The body may feel cold and shivering.
- You may experience dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Headaches may occur during sleep when blood sugar drops.
- Some people may wake up from a nightmare or a feeling of fear during sleep when their blood sugar drops.
- People who experience low blood sugar during sleep may feel sluggish in the morning.
What does psychological blood sugar drop mean?
Psychological hypoglycemia is the occurrence of hypoglycemia-like symptoms in people without diabetes, which occur due to psychological factors such as stress, anxiety or depression. Although the cause of psychological low blood sugar is not fully known, the following factors are thought to play a role:
- Stress: Stress can cause the release of hormones that raise blood sugar levels. These hormones can cause blood sugar to drop faster.
- Anxiety: Anxiety is an emotion that has similar effects to stress on the body. Therefore, anxiety can also lower blood sugar levels.
- Depression: Depression can lower the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine in the brain. These neurotransmitters play a role in regulating blood sugar levels. Therefore, depression can also lower blood sugar levels.
Psychological low blood sugar can also be seen in people with diabetes. However, in people with diabetes, symptoms of hypoglycemia are often more severe and last longer. To prevent psychological lows, it is important to take measures to help manage psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and depression. These measures are:
- Learning stress management
- Developing methods to reduce anxiety
- getting treatment for depression
Does low blood sugar mean diabetes?
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and diabetes (diabetes) are different health problems. Low blood sugar and diabetes are different health conditions. While low blood sugar means low blood sugar, diabetes refers to a chronic condition in which blood sugar is high. Hypoglycaemia refers to a condition in which blood sugar falls below normal levels and usually leads to symptoms quickly. This may occur during treatment of diabetic patients, when they are using insulin or antidiabetic medications, or when they are malnourished. Hypoglycemia can manifest itself with symptoms such as tremors, sweating, dizziness, feeling of hunger, rapid heartbeat and loss of consciousness.
Diabetes mellitus or diabetes is a chronic health condition in which the body has difficulty regulating blood sugar. There are basically two main types: Type 1 Diabetes (insulin dependent) and Type 2 Diabetes (insulin independent). Diabetes refers to a condition in which blood sugar is high and usually requires ongoing treatment and management. People with diabetes use insulin or antidiabetic medications to regulate their blood sugar and require special diet and lifestyle management.