Are you aware of the different symptoms of low blood sugar? It has been a few hours since your last meal, and you begin to feel shaky. Looking at your hands, you can see their shakiness. You have a feeling of being anxious or nervous and dizzy. You break out in a sweat, lose all energy, and feel like you will pass out. It almost feels as if your body wants to shut down.
Does any of this sound familiar? Unfortunately, it does for me, and that is how I discovered that I was experiencing low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia. Let’s discuss some signs that you need to check for low blood sugar.
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Understanding Low Blood Sugar
Your blood sugar refers to how much glucose is in your blood. Unless you are aware of the symptoms, you most likely are not thinking about or monitoring the sugar levels in your body. You get glucose from the foods that you eat. Glucose is the body’s main energy source. Too much insulin can cause the body to rapidly process and absorb glucose from the bloodstream, leaving insufficient sugar to fuel vital bodily functions.
When your blood sugar levels get too low, it causes hypoglycemia, leading to several common symptoms. Low blood sugar can sneak up on you, and it’s a good idea to recognize the signs of hypoglycemia and take appropriate action to avoid severe low blood sugar episodes. In some cases, low blood sugar can progress to severe hypoglycemia, leading to serious symptoms such as:
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness or fainting
- Inability to swallow
- Extreme confusion
Over time, some people may develop a condition called hypoglycemia unawareness, where they don’t experience the typical warning signs of low blood sugar.
Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar
People with diabetes are at a much higher risk of having low blood sugar, but it can also occur in people who do not have diabetes. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time for you to check for low blood sugar. Here are some symptoms of hypoglycemia to be aware of:
1. Feeling Shaky & Dizzy
Feeling shaky and dizzy are common symptoms of having your blood sugar drop and are often the first things you notice. It could be subtle, where you feel slightly dizzy when you stand up or a little shaky as you move around. These symptoms alone do not mean your blood sugar is dropping, but if you notice that it is starting to happen regularly and more frequently, it is time to pay more attention so you can report it to your health care provider.
2, Feeling Fatigued
Feeling fatigued can be caused by easily identifiable reasons such as lack of sleep, over-exertion, certain medications, and many more. However, the fatigue will go away with sufficient rest or if you are not taking the medicines. The fatigue associated with low blood sugar levels is more generalized and chronic, and attempts to increase your energy with caffeine or other methods are not working. Left untreated, it will start to interfere with your daily life.
3. Feeling Anxious & Anxiety
When you experience other symptoms of low blood sugar, you may also have heightened anxiety or anxiousness. These symptoms might be from low sugar levels. People often experience mental health issues when their blood sugar drops, such as increased anxiety symptoms or heightened stress signals. If you already suffer from anxiety, you are at a greater risk of experiencing anxiety due to sugar level changes.
4. Feeling Irritable & Moody
You might feel cranky or agitated for many reasons, but sudden dropping blood sugar levels could be a significant signal. Like anxiety, your sugar levels could affect your brain and how you feel. You might suddenly be very moody, where everything and everyone is bugging you. If you notice it happening around the same time every day or consistently, it could be from your blood sugar levels dropping.
5. Feeling Lightheaded or Faint
When your blood sugar is low, your body will try to conserve as much energy as possible. When your blood sugar levels are low, it can cause changes in blood flow to your brain, leading to feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness. In some cases, low blood sugar can also cause fainting.
6. Sweating & Increased Heart Rate
Sweating and increased heart rate alone are not symptoms of low blood sugar, but they become more relevant when combined with any other symptoms described above. Adrenaline increases as your blood sugar drops, resulting in sweating and increased heart rate. Your body detects the drop in levels and activates its “fight or flight” response, which signals your liver to make more glucose.
7. Trouble Concentrating or Focusing
Low glucose levels can affect your mental clarity. You might find it hard to think clearly or make decisions. If you’re having trouble concentrating or focusing, it could be a sign that your brain is not getting enough glucose (sugar) to function properly. This can lead to symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and mental fog. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, checking your blood glucose levels to see if they’re in the normal range is important.
8. Feeling Hungry or Nauseous
If you’re feeling hungry or nauseous, it could be a sign that your blood sugar levels are dropping. When your body doesn’t have enough glucose (sugar) to use as fuel, it can trigger feelings of hunger or nausea. Obviously, hunger is normal and natural, but when combined with other symptoms discussed here, if you’re at risk for low blood sugar or taking medications that can lower blood sugar levels, it may indicate that it is time to check for low blood sugar.
9. Symptoms Overnight
Nocturnal hypoglycemia, also known as nighttime low blood sugar, occurs when you experience a drop in your blood glucose levels during the night while you are asleep. You may wake up with symptoms like night sweats, nightmares, or a rapid heartbeat. Nocturnal hypoglycemia requires careful monitoring and a diabetes management plan to prevent potentially dangerous nighttime episodes.
10. Symptoms After Eating
Reactive hypoglycemia is a rapid drop in blood sugar levels after eating a meal, typically occurring within a few hours after consumption. Symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia can include shakiness, sweating, palpitations, extreme hunger, and irritability.
Managing this condition involves dietary adjustments, such as eating smaller, balanced meals throughout the day to prevent blood sugar spikes and subsequent crashes. In addition, following a diet that is known to maintain healthy energy levels, such as the Mediterranean Diet or Flexitarian Diet.
Low Blood Sugar Treatment
Your doctor will advise you on the best treatment, but generally, all these symptoms will subside when you consume something that increases your blood sugar. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends consuming 15 grams of carbohydrates, such as 4 ounces of fruit juice or hard candy, to treat the symptoms. Symptoms of low blood sugar can come on pretty quickly, so you want to be prepared.
- Check your blood glucose levels with a blood glucose meter or continuous glucose monitor.
- If your levels are below your target range or too low, consume a fast-acting carbohydrate source like glucose tablets or a sugary drink.
- Wait for 15 minutes and recheck your blood sugar levels.
- If they haven’t improved, consume another source of fast-acting carbohydrates.
- If your symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical help immediately.
Check for Prediabetes
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, the best thing to do is make an appointment with your doctor so they can properly diagnose your condition. Just because you have symptoms of low blood sugar does not automatically mean you have diabetes.
The CDC offers an online questionnaire to screen if you might be experiencing prediabetes. You can also visit the American Diabetes Association for another helpful online test. The results are useful to share with your doctor.
Summary: Check for Low Blood Sugar
If you are experiencing some of these warning signs with increasing frequency, it might be time to check if you are experiencing symptoms of low blood sugar. Remember that various factors can cause these symptoms; only a medical professional can diagnose low blood glucose or any other health condition. Speaking with a healthcare provider is important if you’re concerned about your symptoms. Especially if you have any risk factors for diabetes, such as family members with diabetes, are overweight, or are not physically active.
