Too much insulin is a definite cause of low blood sugar. Insulin pumps may also reduce the risk for low blood sugar. Accidentally injecting the wrong insulin type, too much insulin, or injecting directly into the muscle instead of just under the skin , can cause low blood sugar. What you eat can cause low blood sugar, including:.
Exercise has many benefits. The tricky thing for people with type 1 diabetes is that it can lower blood sugar in both the short and long-term. Nearly half of children in a type 1 diabetes study who exercised an hour during the day experienced a low blood sugar reaction overnight. The intensity, duration and timing of exercise can all affect the risk for going low. Many people with diabetes, particularly those who use insulin, should have a medical ID with them at all times.
In the event of a severe hypoglycemic episode, a car accident or other emergency, the medical ID can provide critical information about the person's health status, such as the fact that they have diabetes, whether or not they use insulin, whether they have any allergies, etc. Emergency medical personnel are trained to look for a medical ID when they are caring for someone who can't speak for themselves.
Medical IDs are usually worn as a bracelet or a necklace. Traditional IDs are etched with basic, key health information about the person, and some IDs now include compact USB drives that can carry a person's full medical record for use in an emergency. As unpleasant as they may be, the symptoms of low blood sugar are useful. These symptoms tell you that you your blood sugar is low and you need to take action to bring it back into a safe range.
But, many people have blood sugar readings below this level and feel no symptoms. This is called hypoglycemia unawareness. Hypoglycemia unawareness puts the person at increased risk for severe low blood sugar reactions when they need someone to help them recover.
People with hypoglycemia unawareness are also less likely to be awakened from sleep when hypoglycemia occurs at night. People with hypoglycemia unawareness need to take extra care to check blood sugar frequently. This is especially important prior to and during critical tasks such as driving. A continuous glucose monitor CGM can sound an alarm when blood sugar levels are low or start to fall.
This can be a big help for people with hypoglycemia unawareness. Hypoglycemia unawareness occurs more frequently in those who:. If you think you have hypoglycemia unawareness, speak with your health care provider. This helps your body re-learn how to react to low blood sugar levels. This may mean increasing your target blood sugar level a new target that needs to be worked out with your diabetes care team.
It may even result in a higher A1C level, but regaining the ability to feel symptoms of lows is worth the temporary rise in blood sugar levels. This can happen when your blood sugar levels are very high and start to go down quickly.
If this is happening, discuss treatment with your diabetes care team. Your best bet is to practice good diabetes management and learn to detect hypoglycemia so you can treat it early—before it gets worse. Monitoring blood sugar, with either a meter or a CGM, is the tried and true method for preventing hypoglycemia. Studies consistently show that the more a person checks blood sugar, the lower his or her risk of hypoglycemia. This is because you can see when blood sugar levels are dropping and can treat it before it gets too low.
If you can, check often! Together, you can review all your data to figure out the cause of the lows. Diabetes happens when healthy sugar levels are not maintained. Blood glucose levels drop during the night, which means that people with diabetes may experience low blood sugar in the mornings.
This is called…. Insulin and glucagon are hormones that help to regulate blood sugar levels. In imbalance of either of these important chemical messengers can play a…. Can you have hypoglycemia without diabetes? Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. What is hypoglycemia? Causes without diabetes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Non-diabetic hypoglycemia diet Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels fall dangerously low.
Share on Pinterest Hypoglycemia is when blood sugar levels are very low. Causes of hypoglycemia without diabetes. Share on Pinterest Dizziness and confusion can be symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Share on Pinterest Glucose tablets can help to raise blood sugar levels. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia diet. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. All about hypoglycemia low blood sugar. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. What to know about hypoglycemia and pregnancy. What should my blood glucose level be?
What to know about low blood sugar in the morning. Medically reviewed by Maria S. In both cases, eating can help stabilize your blood sugar. On the other hand, ongoing problems with nondiabetic hypoglycemia not related to food intake might indicate a decrease in insulin production. This may be related to issues with your:. Everyone reacts differently to fluctuations in their blood sugar levels. Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include :. Reactive hypoglycemia occurs within a few hours after a meal.
An overproduction of insulin causes reactive hypoglycemia. Causes of nonreactive, or fasting, hypoglycemia include:. Although rare, a tumor of the pancreas can cause the body to make too much insulin or an insulin-like substance, resulting in hypoglycemia. Hormone deficiencies can also cause hypoglycemia because hormones control blood sugar levels.
Dumping syndrome also occurs in patients who have had gastric bypass surgery. In late dumping syndrome, the body releases excess insulin in response to carbohydrate-rich meals. That can result in hypoglycemia and related symptoms. If you have diabetes, there are several reasons you may experience hypoglycemia. Causes of hypoglycemia include:. Causes of hypoglycemia without diabetes include:.
Hypoglycemia without diabetes can occur in both children and adults. Your doctor will need to identify the cause of your hypoglycemia to determine the right long-term therapy for you.
Glucose will help boost your blood sugar levels in the short term. One way to get additional glucose is to consume 15 grams of carbohydrates. Drinking fruit juice is an easy way to get extra glucose into your bloodstream. These sources of glucose often briefly correct hypoglycemia, but then another drop in blood sugar often follows. Eating foods that are high in complex carbohydrates , such as pasta and whole grains, will sustain blood sugar levels after a period of hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia can become so severe that they interfere with daily routines and activities. If you have severe hypoglycemia, you might need to carry glucose tablets or injectable glucose glucagon. Your doctor may ask you to take a fasting test. This test can last as long as 72 hours. Another test is a mixed-meal tolerance test. This test is for people who experience hypoglycemia after eating.
The results are usually available within a day or two. Keep track of your symptoms with a symptom diary.
This information will help your doctor make a diagnosis. Your body needs glucose to function. Without the right level of glucose, your body will struggle to perform its normal functions.
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