It is a condition that occurs when the sugar levels (glucose) in the blood are too low. Diabetes treatment and other conditions can cause hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a very dangerous condition. It occurs when blood sugar levels drop below normal, usually below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) for people with diabetes and 55 mg/dL for people without diabetes.
Signs and symptoms of low blood glucose include:
- Feeling shaky
- Being nervous or anxious
- Sweating, chills and clamminess
- Irritability or impatience
- Confusion, Fast heartbeat, Feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
- Hunger, Nausea, Color draining from the skin (pallor).
- Feeling sleepy, Feeling weak or having no energy.
- Blurred/impaired vision, Tingling or numbness in the lips, tongue, or cheeks.
- Headaches , Coordination problems, clumsiness.
- Nightmares or crying out during sleep Seizures.
What causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in people with diabetes?
Hypoglycemia happens when your blood sugar drops below a healthy range. Several factors can contribute to this for people with diabetes. Hypoglycemia can develop if things like food, exercise and diabetes medications are out of balance.
Common situations that can lead to hypoglycemia for people with diabetes include:
- Taking too much insulin, the wrong insulin or injecting it into your muscle instead of in your fat tissue.
- Not timing insulin and carb intake correctly (for example, waiting too long to eat a meal after taking insulin for the meal).
- Taking too much or too high of a dose of oral diabetes medications.
- Being more active than usual.
- Drinking alcohol without eating.
- Eating meals later than usual or skipping meals.
- Not balancing meals by including fat, protein and fiber.
People who are pregnant and have Type 1 diabetes are also more likely to experience low blood sugar during the first trimester due to hormone changes.
Note : This post is solely for educational purpose.