Low Blood Sugar
When your blood sugar falls below 70 mg/dL, you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). When this happens, many people experience unpleasant symptoms that can be both physical and emotional. These symptoms can come on quite suddenly. Hypoglycemia can be treated. However, if it is not dealt with quickly, these serious reactions may be life threatening and include passing out or having convulsions. Talk with your healthcare provider about what steps to take in case of a low blood sugar emergency, and most importantly, how to avoid one.
What causes hypoglycemia?
The most common causes of hypoglycemia are:
- skipping or not finishing meals or snacks
- getting more exercise than usual
- taking too much diabetes medication, including insulin
- eating at the wrong time for the medicine you take
- drinking alcoholic beverages
Many medications can affect your blood sugar levels and insulin needs. Before you drink alcoholic beverages, discuss with your healthcare provider whether some use of alcohol may be included in your meal plan.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia
The symptoms of low blood sugar can come on quite suddenly. In general, the warning signs are:
- feeling shaky
- sweatiness
- tiredness
- hunger
- a fast heartbeat
- an ill-temper or confusion
- blurred vision or a headache
- or...no symptoms at all!
Having no symptoms of hypoglycemia at all is a dangerous situation! If you have a blood sugar reading below 70 mg/dL and aren't experiencing any of the symptoms described above, you should immediately treat your low blood sugar level. Even if you are feeling fine, this situation still needs to be treated. Make sure to notify your healthcare provider of this event.
