Low blood sugar, also referred to as hypoglycemia, occurs when the level of sugar in your blood drops significantly low. When this happens, as sugar is the source of fuel for your body’s cells and functions, your body does not receive the energy that it needs to thrive and operate.
While you may associate this condition with diabetes, people who do not have diabetes can also experience it. If you are a diabetic, hypoglycemia can occur when either your body produces too much glucose on its own or you take in too much prescribed glucose. If you are not a diabetic and become hypoglycemic, it is likely a result of either your body having trouble regulating your blood sugar levels or your body producing too much glucose after eating a meal. Overall, low blood sugar is much more common in diabetics than in non-diabetics.
1. Excess Sweating
While is it considered to be a normal bodily function that occurs when the body overheats from exercise or high temperatures, sweating in excess can also be a sign of low blood sugar. When not associated with physical activity or high environmental temperatures, excess sweating is called hyperhidrosis. When hyperhidrosis occurs, a fight or flight response is activated as a result of decreased glucose levels in the bloodstream. In turn, the body produces an excess amount of adrenaline and/or norepinephrine, which causes the extreme sweating to occur.
Night sweats are also strongly associated with low blood glucose levels, but not necessarily tied to diabetes. You may experience night sweats as a result of a few factors, which include: exercising near bedtime, and drinking alcoholic beverages in the evening. This type of excess sweating is often the most easily regulated, simply by making diet, exercise, and/or glucose adjustments to your evening routine.
2. Excessive Hunger
Excessive hunger can occur for a variety of reasons, including not eating enough and exercising too intensely. However, if your body is able to maintain its blood sugar at healthy levels, then this condition is a fleeting one, only lasting as long as it takes to consume a meal or snack and get your glucose levels back to where they need to be. On the other hand, for those who experience low blood sugar, excessive hunger is not as easily controlled and should be taken very seriously, as it may be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition such as diabetes. In the short-term, having a quick, glucose rich and healthy snack, such as a piece of fruit or a granola bar, can help, but if the condition is recurring, consultation with your doctor is strongly advised to rule out any other potential health concerns.
3. Fainting
Also known as syncope, fainting occurs when you lose consciousness for a short period of time as a result of your brain not receiving enough oxygen. While it can be associated with many conditions and factors, fainting may also be a sign of low blood sugar. When associated with hypoglycemia, it is considered to be a very serious indication that your blood sugar levels have dropped to such a low level that your body is unable to continue functioning. If you are a diabetic and experience syncope, this is considered to be an emergency and a prescribed glucagon injection is necessary to bring blood sugar levels back up to normal.
4. Fatigue
Fatigue is a condition of extreme exhaustion, usually brought on by physical exertion or inadequate rest. However, it can also be a sign of low blood sugar. When your body is deprived of glucose and/or its blood sugar levels fall significantly, hypoglycemia ensues. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of this, as when your body does not have the fuel (sugar) it needs to function, your cells are not able to operate properly, and you end up feeling worn out and tired. Consuming a healthy snack, such as a fruit smoothie, can help to bring blood sugar back to a healthy level and resolve fatigue. However, if the condition is recurring and not remedied by having a bite to eat, then a physician’s consultation is strongly encouraged.
5. Lightheadedness
Lightheadedness is an unpleasant feeling of weightlessness in the head, coupled with feeling as though you may faint. While it is a relatively common condition to experience here and there, if it is a recurring one, it could be a sign of low blood sugar. If this is the case and glucose levels in the blood drop below what is needed for normal body functions to carry on, dizziness can ensue and be a precursor to passing out, a more serious and potentially life-threatening condition for those who suffer from hypogylcemia. If you experience consistent and ongoing lightheadedness that does not resolve by having a healthy snack and lying down to rest for a spell, then medical attention is advised to rule out any other potential health concerns.
6. Shakiness
Another one of the signs of low blood sugar levels is shakiness, which is often associated with trembling and weakness. When blood sugar levels drop and the body is unable to reverse the condition on its own, your body’s natural stress response is triggered and you end up feeling what is known as “the shakes” or shakiness. Shakiness can be a precursor to passing out, which can lead to unconsciousness and/or a state of coma, and so it should not be taken lightly. Any kind of shakiness that recurs on an ongoing basis, without remedy through fluid and food intake, should be addressed with your doctor right away.
7. Nausea
Often coupled with a feeling of lightheadedness is nausea, which is another one of the signs of low blood sugar. Nausea is a feeling of sickness and discomfort in the stomach, which sometimes results in vomiting. Even if you experience a mild state of low blood sugar, what happens is with inadequate glucose available to fuel your cells, your body’s metabolic processes become disrupted and confused. The result is a feeling of nauseousness that ensues. If you find that you experience this symptom consistently, keeping a journal or a log of each time it happens is recommended, as well as prompt follow-up with a physician to rule out any other potential health problems.
8. Vomiting
Similar to nausea, vomiting can also indicate that your blood sugar levels have dropped too low. When this happens and the brain does not receive the steady stream of glucose that it needs to function optimally, the metabolism becomes interrupted and your body undergoes an overall state of mass confusion. One result of this confusion can be vomiting. Consistent episodes of vomiting as a result of reduced blood sugar levels can be an indicator of much more serious health concerns, such as diabetes and pancreatitis, and so it is essential that this symptom not be left unchecked and unaddressed by an experienced medical professional and/or endocrinologist.
9. Tingling Lips
Tingling sensations felt anywhere in or on the body can be alarming, but when they occur in the lips, it can be a sign that you are experiencing low blood sugar levels. This symptom is sometimes coupled with a similar sensation in the tongue. Oftentimes, consuming a light, glucose rich snack or a couple pieces of hard candy does resolve the feeling of tingling lips. However, it is important that this symptom be addressed and remedied as soon as possible, as it can lead to potentially more serious implications such as fainting, unconsciousness, seizure, and even a state of coma. If you find that you regularly experience tingling lips, to rule out other possible health conditions, consultation with your physician is encouraged.
10. Anxiety
You may think of anxiety as a mental and/or a psychological condition, but feeling regular bouts of it can be an indicator of low blood sugar too. When the body’s glucose levels fall, the fight or flight response that is activated and subsequent adrenaline rush can trigger the brain to go into panic mode. The result is a feeling of anxiousness, as your body attempts to quickly correct its internal imbalance. Other symptoms that coincide with this are a racing heartbeat and sweating. While feelings of anxiety are a natural output of stress related to environmental and lifestyle factors that may cause occasional drops in blood sugar levels, if they occur on a regular basis, these episodes can potentially indicate more serious health concerns that should be addressed by a medical professional right away.
