A regular day for you. You’re in the middle of something – maybe working, walking, or just going about your day – when suddenly, you feel a little dizzy, shaky, or sweaty for no reason. You grab a snack, and within minutes, you feel better. Have you experienced something like this?
Well, that could be low blood sugar, or as called by medical professionals, hypoglycemia, which happens when your body runs low on fuel or energy. While it’s more common in people with Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes or those on oral medications and insulin, the fact is that absolutely anyone can experience it.
So, how low is too low?
- 70 – 55 mg/dL → Mild to moderate symptoms ⚠️
- Below 55 mg/dL → Severe symptoms 🚨
- Below 40 mg/dL → Critical! Needs urgent attention ❗
Now that we are clear with the basic numbers, let’s understand what are the signs your body gives you when your sugar levels drop!
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| What exactly are ‘Symptoms’? 🤔
Symptoms are your body’s way of telling you that something is going wrong in your body and you need to take care of yourself! 👉 Example:
|
What are the Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar?
The symptoms of low blood sugar can vary from person to person, depending on how long they have had diabetes and how low their blood sugar drops.
Typically symptoms can be seen in two ways:
One is through your Body’s Response:
- Feeling anxious or nervous
- Shaking or trembling
- Fast heartbeat
- Sweating a lot
- Feeling very hungry
Another way is through your Brain’s Response:
- Trouble focusing
- Headache
- Blurry vision
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Feeling confused
- Trouble speaking/slurring speech
- Feeling restless or irritated
- Seizures/fits
- Fainting or passing out
Now before we move into more details, just a quick info for you, if you or someone in your family has been experiencing these symptoms, then they can have a 1-on-1 online consultation with our in-house diabetologist Dr. Vidya Walinjkar. She will do a detailed analysis and breakdown the situation for you and guide you on what to do.
What is Hypoglycemia Unawareness?
Hypoglycemia unawareness happens when a person does not feel the initial usual warning symptoms of low blood sugar, like shaking, sweating, or hunger. So, you need to be more aware of this condition because you may not realize your blood sugar is dropping.
Why Does It Happen?
- Frequent Low Blood Sugar Episodes: If blood sugar drops too often, the brain gets used to it and stops responding with symptoms.
- Tight Blood Sugar Control: Keeping blood sugar too low for long periods can reduce the body’s ability to detect drops.
- Nerve Damage (Neuropathy): Long-term diabetes can damage the nerves that detect low blood sugar.
Who Is at Risk?
- People with long-term diabetes (especially Type 1)
- Those who experience frequent low blood sugar episodes
- People with nerve damage (autonomic neuropathy)
- People using insulin or strict diabetes management plans
Why Is It serious?
Without warning, symptoms, such as blood sugar, can drop too low without the person realizing it. This can lead to serious complications if not treated quickly.
When to Seek Medical Help for Low Blood Sugar?
Most mild cases of low blood sugar can be treated by eating or drinking something sugary (following the rule of 15). However, in some situations, medical help is needed immediately.
Immediate Medical Attention Requires When
- Blood sugar stays low (below 70 mg/dL) despite treating hypoglycemia
- Severe confusion, slurred speech, or trouble moving – If they seem very disoriented and can’t help themselves.
- The person faints or is unresponsive
- They have a seizure (convulsions)
- Sugar or glucagon doesn’t work.
You Should See a Doctor Frequently If
✅ Low blood sugar happens frequently – Repeated episodes can lead to hypoglycemia unawareness, making future lows more dangerous.
✅ You don’t know why it’s happening – If it keeps happening despite eating well and taking medicine properly, a doctor can help adjust treatment.
✅ Symptoms are getting worse or changing – If you’re experiencing new or stronger low blood sugar symptoms.
How to Recognize Low Blood Sugar?
Your doctor diagnoses low blood sugar by reviewing symptoms, blood sugar levels, and your medical history. Your doctor may ask:
- How often do you feel shaky, weak, confused, or sweaty?
- Do symptoms improve after eating sugar?
- Does low blood sugar happen after meals or when fasting?
Checking Blood Sugar Levels
- Blood Sugar Test (Finger Prick Test) – A blood glucose meter checks if your sugar is below 70 mg/dL when symptoms of low blood sugar appear.
- Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) – Tracks sugar levels throughout the day and alerts you to drops (up to 14 days). If you get an alert, cross-check with a glucometer reading. If the CGM shows a red mark, it triggers an alert to recheck your sugar levels for accuracy.
Additional Tests
If low blood sugar happens frequently, your doctor may recommend further tests to determine the cause:
- Fasting Blood Sugar Test – Measures your sugar levels after fasting for several hours.
- Mixed Meal Tolerance Test (MMTT) – Checks sugar levels after eating to see if your body is making too much insulin.
Other tests may include:
- Insulin and C-Peptide Tests – To check if the body is producing too much insulin.
- Liver, Kidney, and Hormone Tests – To rule out other diseases affecting blood sugar levels.
What to Do in Severe Hypoglycemia?
If blood sugar drops below 54 mg/dL or the person cannot eat, seek emergency medical help immediately, call your doctor or call a hospital’s emergency helpline number.
Even after giving glucagon, contact a doctor or emergency services right away to prevent complications. Don’t wait for symptoms to get better on their own.
How to Prevent Low Blood Sugar?
Preventing low blood sugar requires awareness, good habits, and proper management. Here’s how you can stay ahead:
1. Educate Yourself
Recognise early signs of low blood sugar (like shakiness, dizziness, confusion, sweating).
- Avoid triggers like missed meals, intense workouts, or alcohol.
- Carry glucose tablets or carb-rich snacks for emergencies.
2. Eat Smart
Balance carbohydrates to manage blood sugar.
- Consult with your doctor, dietician or a nutritionist to create a meal plan.
- Keep glucose or carb-rich snacks handy.
- Consider a bedtime snack to prevent nighttime lows, especially for type 1 diabetes.
3. Exercise Carefully
Monitor blood sugar before and after exercise.
- Have a small meal or snack before working out.
- Carry fast-acting carbs during physical activity.
- Adjust insulin doses based on exercise intensity.
4. Glucose Monitoring
Regularly check your blood sugar levels.
- Test before meals, after meals, and before sleep.
- Use a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) for real-time tracking.
5. Manage Medications
Consult your doctor for proper medication adjustments.
- Never adjust insulin or dosage without medical advice.
- Evaluate alternative insulin options that reduce hypoglycemia risk.
How We At Fitterfly Can Help You?
We understand the challenges of managing blood sugar levels, especially hypoglycemia. You can effectively manage low blood sugar episodes by recognizing the symptoms, taking preventive measures, and following the Rule of 15. It’s essential to manage your diabetes well to maintain normal blood sugar levels (70 mg/dL – 126 mg/dL).
At Fitterfly, we believe that if you manage your diabetes well, which is the root cause, complications like hypoglycemia can be managed effectively. We help our members achieve this through comprehensive and personalized support.
Our Diabetes Prime Program provides you with personalized support tailored to your needs. Our expert nutrition coaches create customized meal plans to stabilize your blood sugar levels. With continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), you get real-time insights to catch drops early.
Our physiotherapy coaches guide you in safe exercise routines to prevent hypoglycemia during physical activity. Plus, our success coaches provide support and education to help you stay informed and confident in managing your condition.
For more information, you can talk to one of our program advisors by just giving a missed call at 08069450746.
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