What Does Low Blood Sugar Mean?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you don’t have diabetes, hypoglycemia can happen if your body can’t stabilize your blood sugar levels . It can also happen after meals if your body produces too much insulin. Hypoglycemia in people who don’t have diabetes is less common than hypoglycemia that occurs in people who have diabetes or related conditions.

What causes low blood sugar without diabetes?

If you don’t have diabetes, hypoglycemia can happen if your body can’t stabilize your blood sugar levels . It can also happen after meals if your body produces too much insulin. Hypoglycemia in people who don’t have diabetes is less common than hypoglycemia that occurs in people who have diabetes or related conditions.

What happens if your blood sugar is too low?

Most people will feel the effects and symptoms of low blood sugar when blood glucose levels are lower than 50 mg/dL. Symptoms and signs include nervousness, dizziness, trembling, sweating, hunger, weakness, and palpitations . Severe cases may lead to seizures and loss of consciousness.

What is the most common cause of low blood sugar?

Causes. The most common cause of hypoglycemia is medications used to treat diabetes mellitus such as insulin, sulfonylureas , and biguanides. Risk is greater in diabetics who have eaten less than usual, exercised more than usual, or drunk alcohol.

Is low blood sugar serious?

Untreated, severe low blood sugar can be very dangerous . It can result in seizures, loss of consciousness, or death. Check for diabetes from the privacy of your own home. LetsGetChecked offers at-home HbA1c tests to help identify prediabetes or monitor diabetes after diagnosis.

What causes blood sugar to drop?

Taking too much medication, skipping meals, eating less than normal, or exercising more than usual can lead to low blood sugar for these individuals. Blood sugar is also known as glucose. Glucose comes from food and serves as an important energy source for the body.

How do you feel when your sugar is low?

  1. sweating.
  2. feeling tired.
  3. dizziness.
  4. feeling hungry.
  5. tingling lips.
  6. feeling shaky or trembling.
  7. a fast or pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
  8. becoming easily irritated, tearful, anxious or moody.

Does low blood sugar make you sleepy?

Low blood sugar can also cause fatigue , especially in people who do not get enough warning that their blood sugars levels are dropping. A person can also feel fatigued after treatment of low blood sugar.

How do you keep your blood sugar from dropping?

  1. Eat all your meals and snacks on time and try not to skip any.
  2. Take the right amount of insulin.
  3. If you exercise longer or harder than usual, have an extra snack.
  4. Don’t take a hot bath or shower right after an insulin shot.
  5. Stick to your diabetes management plan.

What is the best food to eat when your blood sugar is low?

Good choices are a piece of fruit , a few whole wheat crackers, a glass of milk, or a carton of yogurt. In people with diabetes, hypoglycemia can come on suddenly and needs to be treated right away so it doesn’t get worse. Eat or drink a quickly digested carbohydrate food, such as: 1⁄2 cup fruit juice.

Can low blood sugar cause suicidal thoughts?

The observed association between plasma glucose levels, insulin resistance and suicidal behaviour suggests that disturbances in glucose metabolism are associated with suicidal ideation and attempts.

What illness causes low blood sugar?

Hypoglycemia is a condition caused by low blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. Glucose is the main way your body gets energy. The condition is most common in people with diabetes who have issues with medicine, food, or exercise. But sometimes people who don’t have diabetes can also get low blood glucose.

Does hypoglycemia go away?

Hypoglycemia caused by sulfonylurea or long-acting insulin may take longer to resolve, but usually goes away in one to two days .

What is average blood sugar by age?

Chart of Normal Blood Sugar Levels in Children Age Wise Age Blood Sugar levels after Fasting Blood Sugar Levels After 1 to 2 Hours of Eating 6 to 12 years >80 to 180 mg/dL Up to 140 mg/dL 13 to 19 years >70 to 150 mg/dL Up to 140 mg/dL

Is 3.2 a low blood sugar level?

Blood sugar levels below 3.3 mmol/l (60 mg/dl) are considered to be too low. But, as you can see in the illustration below, there are no clear-cut borders between normal blood sugar levels and too high or too low blood sugar levels.

Can dehydration cause low blood sugar?

If left untreated, everyday dehydration can take a pretty serious toll on your blood glucose levels. When your body is lacking fluids, it creates a hormone called vasopressin, which causes your kidneys to retain as much fluid as possible. By keeping in those liquids, your kidneys are also hoarding unwanted glucose.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.