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Have low blood sugar without symptoms? You may need to check your blood sugar more often. Blood sugar levels change often during the day. When they drop below 70 mg/dL, this is called having low blood sugar. At this level, you need to take action to bring it back up. Low blood sugar is especially common in people with type 1 diabetes. Knowing how to identify low blood sugar is important because it can be dangerous if left untreated. Read more about what causes low blood sugar and common symptoms. Causes of Low Blood SugarThere are many reasons why you may have low blood sugar, including:
Symptoms of Low Blood SugarHow you react to low blood sugar may not be the same as how someone else with low blood sugar reacts. It’s important to know your signs. Common symptoms may include:
If you’ve had low blood sugar without feeling or noticing symptoms (hypoglycemia unawareness), you may need to check your blood sugar more often to see if it’s low and treat it. Driving with low blood sugar can be dangerous, so be sure to check your blood sugar before you get behind the wheel. You may not have any symptoms when your blood sugar is low (hypoglycemia unawareness). If you don’t have symptoms, it will be harder to treat your low blood sugar early. This increases your risk of having severe lows and can be dangerous. This is more likely to happen if you:
If you meet one or more of the above and you have hypoglycemia unawareness, you may need to check your blood sugar more often to see if it’s low. This is very important to do before driving or being physically active. Types of Low Blood SugarNighttime low blood sugarWhile low blood sugar can happen at any time during the day, some people may experience low blood sugar while they sleep. Reasons this may happen include:
Eating regular meals and not skipping them can help you avoid nighttime low blood sugar. Eating when you drink alcohol can also help. If you think you’re at risk for low blood sugar overnight, have a snack before bed. You may wake up when you have low blood sugar, but you shouldn’t rely on that. A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can alert you with an alarm if your blood sugar gets low while you’re sleeping. Severe low blood sugarAs your low blood sugar gets worse, you may experience more serious symptoms, including:
Severe low blood sugar is below 54 mg/dL. Blood sugar this low may make you faint (pass out). Often, you’ll need someone to help you treat severe low blood sugar. People with diabetes may experience low blood sugar as often as once or twice a week, even when managing their blood sugar closely. Knowing how to identify and treat it is important for your health. Learn how to treat low blood sugar. OverviewWhat is hypoglycemia?Hypoglycemia is when the level of sugar in the blood drops below a healthy range. It’s also called low blood sugar or low blood glucose. Everyone has different levels of blood sugar at different times. But for most people, low blood sugar is defined as below 70 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter). Severe hypoglycemia usually happens at lower levels and is generally defined as a low blood sugar event that requires the assistance of someone else in order to correct the low blood sugar. Severe hypoglycemia is dangerous and needs treatment right away. What causes hypoglycemia?Hypoglycemia comes from too much insulin in the body. Insulin is a hormone that controls certain functions in your body. It helps your body use glucose for energy. What’s the link between diabetes and hypoglycemia?Hypoglycemia is most common, by far, in people with diabetes. Treatment for the diseaseoften involves taking medication to increase insulin. Hypoglycemia can develop if things like food, exercise and diabetes medications are out of balance. Common pitfalls for people with diabetes include:
Also, if someone with diabetes uses the wrong insulin, takes too much or injects it incorrectly, that can cause hypoglycemia. Can someone have hypoglycemia without diabetes?Very rarely, someone has hypoglycemia without diabetes. Scientists are still trying to understand the cause. What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?Symptoms of hypoglycemia can start quickly, with people experiencing them in different ways. The signs of hypoglycemia are unpleasant. But they provide good warnings that you should take action before blood sugar drops more. The signs include:
You may also experience symptoms while sleeping:
When a hypoglycemic episode gets worse, the brain doesn’t get enough sugar, so you may experience:
During a severe hypoglycemic event, a person may:
Does everyone have symptoms from hypoglycemia?Some people don’t have symptoms or don’t notice them. Healthcare providers call that situation hypoglycemia unawareness. People with such a challenge aren’t aware when they need to do something about their blood sugar. They’re then more likely to have severe episodes and need medical help. People with hypoglycemia unawareness should check their blood sugar more often. Diagnosis and TestsHow is hypoglycemia diagnosed?The only way to know if you have hypoglycemia is to check your blood sugar with a blood glucose meter. It’s a small machine that measures blood sugar. Most of these devices use a tiny prick of the finger to take a small amount of blood. People with hypoglycemia unawareness may need a continuous glucose monitor. These wearable devices measure glucose every few minutes, day and night. An alarm sounds if blood sugar drops too low. Management and TreatmentHow do I treat an episode of hypoglycemia?The American Diabetes Association recommends the “15-15 rule” for an episode of hypoglycemia:
If you have symptoms of hypoglycemia but can’t test your blood sugar, use the 15-15 rule until you feel better. Note: Children need fewer grams of carbs. Check with your healthcare provider. How do I measure carbs?To know how many carbs you’re having, read food labels. Some examples of about 15 grams:
What if the 15-15 rule doesn’t work?If you don’t feel better after three tries, or if your symptoms get worse, call your healthcare provider or 911. Healthcare providers can use a medication called glucagon. They inject it with a needle or squirt it up your nose. Glucagon is also available for home use. Your healthcare provider can prescribe it and teach a family member or friend how to use it in the event of severe hypoglycemia. PreventionHow can I prevent hypoglycemic episodes?The key to preventing hypoglycemic events is managing diabetes:
Outlook / PrognosisWhat is the outlook for people with hypoglycemia?Hypoglycemia can be managed when you and your healthcare provider understand what causes your blood sugar to go down. Give your healthcare provider as much information as possible about any hypoglycemic episodes. Fixing the problem may be as simple as changing the times you take medication, eat and exercise. Minor changes to the types of food you eat may also help. Living WithHow can I be better prepared for hypoglycemia?You can take some steps to be ready for hypoglycemia:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Hypoglycemia is quite common in people with diabetes. If not treated, it can cause troubling symptoms, and even serious health problems. Fortunately, you can avoid hypoglycemic episodes by monitoring your blood sugar. You can also make small adjustments to eating and exercising routines. How do doctors test for low blood sugar?The only way to know if you have hypoglycemia is to check your blood sugar with a blood glucose meter. It's a small machine that measures blood sugar. Most of these devices use a tiny prick of the finger to take a small amount of blood. People with hypoglycemia unawareness may need a continuous glucose monitor.
What are 3 signs of low blood sugar?Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar. Fast heartbeat.. Shaking.. Sweating.. Nervousness or anxiety.. Irritability or confusion.. Dizziness.. Hunger.. How do you feel when blood sugar is low?Signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia can include:. feeling hungry.. sweating.. dizziness.. tiredness (fatigue). blurred vision.. trembling or shakiness.. going pale.. fast pulse or palpitations.. How can you tell if you have low blood sugar without a machine?You should check your blood sugar regularly, even if you aren't experiencing symptoms of a high or low glucose level.. dizziness.. confusion.. weakness.. difficulty speaking.. shaking.. |