Managing blood sugar is crucial for people diagnosed with diabetes. However, it’s important to note that both high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) pose significant risks.
Having type 2 diabetes itself doesn’t directly increase the risk of hypoglycemia, but people who take insulin or other insulin production medications may be more prone to low blood sugar.
What triggers hyperglycemia at these individuals are factors such as skipping meals, consuming fewer carbs that needed, or engaging in increased physical activity.
As per NHS, hypoglycemia happens when the blood sugar (glucose) is below 4mmol/L.
This condition is accompanied by certain symptoms. Below, we’ll discuss some of them.
Starting to Sweat
Sudden sweating that is not related to the weather conditions may be a sign of low blood sugar levels. At people with diabetes, these sweats can appear during the night.
Feeling Irritable
The University of Michigan states that symptoms of hypoglycemia can mirror certain mental issues such as irritability, anxiety, and worry. This shouldn’t come as a surprise as the brain runs primarily on glucose.
Feeling Hungry
The feeling of hunger appears when our blood sugar levels drop and the cells lack energy. While sugary drinks and starchy carbs can boost our sugar levels, this effect is short-lived. Instead, we should consume whole grains, healthy fats, high-protein foods, and non-starchy vegetables to stabilize our blood sugar levels.
Nightmares
One of the signs of nocturnal hypoglycemia, as reported by people diagnosed with diabetes, is having nightmares. It is of crucial importance to consult a doctor about the right prebedtime routine to avoid your sugar levels drop during the night.
Lack of Focus
Struggling to focus or concentrate may be due lack of energy that comes from glucose. This can be triggered by skipping meals in both children and adults.
Feeling Dizzy
Low blood sugar levels can affect the nervous system, causing dizziness, weakness, and lightheadedness. Also, people suffering from diabetes may also experience headaches if their blood sugar levels drop.
Feeling Shaky
Sometimes, in case of hypoglycemia, people can feel shaky because the body releases adrenalin to remind you to refuel it. Feeling shaky after a meal may indicate experiencing idiopathic postprandial syndrome (IPS), a condition that sometimes mimics the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Affected Vision
When blood sugar levels drop, people, especially those with diabetes, may experience blurred vision, double vision, or “black” spots.
Slurry Speach
If glucose levels drop below 40 mg/dL, a person can experience slurred speech, muscle twitching, difficulty walking steadily, and emotional changes.
Disturbed Sleep
Experiencing troubles falling asleep can be a sign of insomnia, but also of hypoglycemia.
Seizures and Coma
While moderate symptoms of hypoglycemia can be fixed with regular healthy eating, some of the more serious consequences are seizures, fainting, or even brain damage. As with extremely high blood sugar levels, people with diabetes can experience diabetic coma from hypoglycemia.
Heart Palpitations
Rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations, and fluttering can be a sign of hypoglycemia.
*Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or healthcare provider with any questions about your health or medications. Do not disregard professional advice based on this information. Please fact-check with your doctor before acting on anything provided.
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