13 Warning Signs Of Low Blood Sugar & How to Fix It.
Extreme changes in blood sugar levels are more common than you might think, and can
lead on to serious problems if left unchecked.
A 2015 review found that, among those with type 2 diabetes, mild episodes of low blood
sugar occur an average of 19 times a year, with almost one severe episode on average
annually.
This was particularly common among those taking insulin.
Thankfully, there are several warning signs that all is not well.
Learn to identify when you hit a blood sugar dip and take action to stabilize glucose levels
for the good of your health.
If blood sugar levels dip below 70 mg/dL, they are considered too low – a condition
known as hypoglycemia – and can cause a variety of symptoms, including the following
13:
13 Warning Signs of Low Blood Sugar.
1.
Shakiness, Lightheadedness or Dizziness.
Feeling shaky, lightheaded or dizzy are very common symptoms of low blood sugar as brain
cells tend to malfunction when blood glucose drops below a certain level.
In fact, these signs are often one of the first things you will notice – especially
immediately upon waking in the morning, after your body has been fasting all night long.
If you experience these symptoms, make sure to sit down to avoid fainting or injuring
yourself.
2.
Disturbed Sleep.
A poor nights’ sleep is another common symptom of hypoglycemia, especially if it occurs around
2am or 3am, when blood sugar levels fall and the body has insufficient short chain fatty
acids to maintain proper blood sugar levels.
Because glucose is important to the function of the brain, the body often has an adrenalin
reaction at this time to bring the blood sugar back up to normal levels – which only serves
to wake you up.
Of course, there are many other reasons why you may not be sleeping well – see some
common sleep-destroying habits here.
3.
Changes in Mood.
If you feel the sudden onset of nervousness, anxiety, irritability, impatience, anger,
sadness or any other changes in mood, your blood sugar levels may have just dropped.
Studies have found that, even in healthy people without diabetes, episodes of hypoglycemia
are known to cause feelings of increased stress.
And other research shows that, in those with Type 1 diabetes, acute hypoglycemia causes
increased anxiety.
Again, these effects come down to glucose’s role in brain function, making it all the
more important that you carefully monitor your blood sugar levels.
4.
Sudden, Intense Hunger.
Are you regularly hit by a wave of ravenous hunger seemingly out of nowhere?
It’s probably a sign that your body needs more glucose.
This can happen if you haven’t eaten in a while, but can also happen soon after a
meal, especially if the meal didn’t contain complex carbs (such as bananas, beans, brown
rice, quinoa, sweet potato etc.) which help provide slow, sustained glucose energy.
5.
Weakness or Fatigue.
Tiredness and low energy are signs that your blood sugar levels have dropped and occur
because your body doesn’t have enough energy, in the form of glucose, to meet all its needs.
Even once blood sugar levels are restored after a hypoglycemic episode in healthy, non-diabetic
patients, studies have found that a state called ‘tense tiredness’ has been seen
to persist for at least 30 minutes afterwards.
6.
A Change in Heart Rate.
Low blood sugar can cause your heart to beat rapidly and will usually be accompanied by
shaking, dizziness or lightheadedness.
These are some of the first signs to look out for following a drop in blood sugar levels.
But, if left untreated, hypoglycemia may affect the heart in other ways too.
A 2008 government-funded clinical trial found that hypoglycemia can lead to prolonged, slow
heart rates that disturb blood flow to the heart and can result in a lethal cardiovascular
event.
7.
Sweating, Chills and Clamminess.
Sweating is almost always present in cases of hypoglycemia.
Controlled by the autonomic nervous system, this excessive perspiration will usually happen
suddenly and without warning, regardless of how warm or cold the temperature around you
may be.
If your hands or face don’t feel clammy, check for sweating on the back of your neck
around your hairline.
8.
Headaches.
A pounding headache can indicate that you had a hypoglycemic event earlier in the day
or have had it for some time.
If this happens, eat something with carbohydrates – like a banana or some raisins.
You’ll also need to monitor your condition throughout the day because, if the hypoglycemia
has lasted for some time, your glucose stores may be used up, and you’re more likely to
suffer repeat episodes of low blood sugar later in the day.
9.
Blurred or Impaired Vision.
Seeing double, or blurred vision, is another common symptom of a drop in blood glucose
levels.
According to Diabetes Self-Management, this happens because, while the brain routinely
takes pictures from both eyes and formulates them into a single image, without enough glucose
the brain loses the ability to coordinate vision.
It’s also a sign that you have been hypoglycemic for some time that day and you need to be
vigilant about repeat episodes.
While it may cause you concern, Diabetes UK advises your vision should return once your
blood sugar levels have been restored to the normal range.
10.
Slurred Speech.
You may have difficulty getting the words out if your blood sugar drops too low – it
can often sound like you’ve had a few too many!
You may not even notice the change, so pay heed if others around you point it out.
11.
Tingling or Numbness.
Numbness or tingling in the face or hands are other symptoms to be aware of.
You may initially notice that the tingling or feeling of numbness is confined to one
spot, but it later spreads to other areas.
12.
Paleness.
If you are looking paler than normal, or those around you advise you could do with some sun,
it could be down to your blood glucose levels!
13.
Confusion & Cognitive Problems.
Hypoglycemia is generally thought to affect cognition in a number of ways.
Moderate episodes of low blood sugar have been shown to cause short term cognitive deficits
(and increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents).
In a vehicle driving study on people with diabetes, cognition was shown to return to
baseline once blood sugar levels returned to normal.
The length of time it takes to recover cognitively may be related to the severity of the hypoglycemia
– those with severe cases can take several days!
You may also have trouble finding the exact words you are looking for, and may struggle
to absorb new information.
How to Balance Blood Sugar Levels.
As you can see, blood sugar lows have far-reaching consequences for your overall health and sense
of wellbeing.
That’s why it is so important to treat low blood sugar immediately to avoid long term
serious effects.
While certain hypoglycemic incidents rarely produce serious symptoms (such as those resulting
from exercise several hours after a meal), those with other causes – including from
underlying diseases – are more serious and must be treated by a doctor.
If you’re suffering from low blood sugar, in addition to consulting your doctor, you
should learn how to maintain balanced blood sugar as it’s one of the most important
things you can do for your mind and body.