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Low blood sugar in the morning symptoms. Low Blood Sugar in the Morning: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention Strategies

What are the symptoms of low blood sugar in the morning. How can you prevent waking up with hypoglycemia. What causes low blood glucose levels during sleep. How to manage morning hypoglycemia in diabetics and non-diabetics.

Understanding Morning Hypoglycemia: Causes and Risk Factors

Morning hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar upon waking, can affect both diabetics and non-diabetics. For individuals with diabetes mellitus, the primary cause is often an excess of long-acting insulin, also known as background or basal insulin. This type of insulin helps manage blood glucose levels by allowing cells to absorb and utilize glucose for energy. However, when too much insulin is present, it can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels.

For those without diabetes, morning hypoglycemia can still occur, typically due to lifestyle factors. These may include:

  • Excessive alcohol consumption the night before
  • Chronic starvation or prolonged fasting
  • Severe liver disease
  • Certain pancreatic disorders

It’s important to note that some medications used to treat type 2 diabetes can also cause hypoglycemia, even in the absence of insulin therapy. Understanding these risk factors is crucial for both prevention and management of morning low blood sugar episodes.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar in the Morning

Identifying the signs of morning hypoglycemia is essential for prompt treatment and prevention of more severe complications. Common symptoms of low blood sugar upon waking include:

  • Headaches
  • Excessive sweating
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Shaking or trembling
  • Intense hunger
  • Anxiety
  • Blurred vision
  • Rapid heartbeat

In more severe cases, when blood glucose levels drop below 54 mg/dL, individuals may experience:

  • Fainting
  • Seizures
  • Coma

If you experience any of these severe symptoms, seek immediate medical attention, as extremely low blood sugar can be life-threatening.

Measuring and Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels

Accurate measurement and consistent monitoring of blood glucose levels are crucial for managing and preventing morning hypoglycemia. But what constitutes low blood sugar, and how can you effectively track your glucose levels?

Low blood sugar is typically defined as a glucose reading below 70 mg/dL. However, readings below 54 mg/dL are considered more severe and may require immediate medical intervention. For individuals with diabetes, it’s essential to regularly check glucose levels, especially before bedtime. If you frequently experience low blood sugar while sleeping, consider using a continuous glucose monitoring device, which can alert you when your blood sugar goes too low or too high.

For optimal glucose management, aim for the following target ranges:

  • Before breakfast: 70–130 mg/dL
  • Before lunch, dinner, or a snack: 70–130 mg/dL
  • Two hours after meals: under 180 mg/dL
  • Bedtime: 90–150 mg/dL

Even if you don’t have diabetes but experience regular hypoglycemia, periodic glucose level checks can be beneficial. Try to maintain your glucose level above 100 mg/dL throughout the day and before bed to reduce the risk of morning hypoglycemia.

Preventing Low Blood Sugar in the Morning: Lifestyle Strategies

Preventing morning hypoglycemia involves a combination of dietary choices, exercise habits, and lifestyle adjustments. Here are some effective strategies to help maintain stable blood glucose levels overnight:

  1. Eat balanced meals throughout the day, incorporating healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
  2. Have a bedtime snack to provide a steady source of glucose during sleep.
  3. If you consume alcohol, avoid excessive intake and always have a snack alongside your drink.
  4. Limit intense exercise close to bedtime, as it can deplete glucose stores.
  5. For those with diabetes, work with your healthcare provider to adjust insulin dosages and medication regimens as needed.

When choosing a bedtime snack, opt for options that combine complex carbohydrates with protein or healthy fats. Some suitable choices include:

  • 1 apple with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
  • 1 ounce of cheese with a small handful of whole-grain crackers
  • One 8-ounce glass of milk
  • 1/2 avocado spread on whole-grain toast

These snacks can help provide a steady release of glucose throughout the night, reducing the risk of morning hypoglycemia.

Managing Diabetes-Related Morning Hypoglycemia

For individuals with diabetes, managing morning hypoglycemia often requires a more targeted approach. How can diabetics effectively prevent and treat low blood sugar upon waking?

First and foremost, it’s crucial to work closely with your healthcare team to adjust your insulin regimen. This may involve:

  • Reducing the dosage of long-acting insulin
  • Changing the timing of insulin administration
  • Switching to a different type of insulin

Additionally, consider the following strategies:

  1. Use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to track nighttime blood sugar trends
  2. Set alarms to check blood sugar levels during the night if you’re prone to nocturnal hypoglycemia
  3. Keep fast-acting glucose sources (like glucose tablets or juice) by your bedside for quick treatment if needed
  4. Discuss with your doctor about using glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar, in case of severe hypoglycemia

Remember, consistent communication with your healthcare provider is key to fine-tuning your diabetes management plan and preventing morning hypoglycemia.

Non-Diabetic Hypoglycemia: Causes and Management

While less common, non-diabetic individuals can also experience morning hypoglycemia. What factors contribute to low blood sugar in people without diabetes, and how can it be managed?

Non-diabetic hypoglycemia can be classified into two main categories:

1. Reactive Hypoglycemia

This occurs within a few hours after eating and is often related to:

  • Excessive insulin production after meals
  • Sensitivity to the drop in blood sugar after eating
  • Prediabetes or early stages of insulin resistance

2. Fasting Hypoglycemia

This type occurs when you haven’t eaten for an extended period and can be caused by:

  • Certain medications
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Critical illnesses
  • Hormonal deficiencies

Managing non-diabetic hypoglycemia often involves dietary changes, such as:

  1. Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
  2. Including protein and healthy fats with each meal to slow glucose absorption
  3. Limiting simple carbohydrates and sugary foods
  4. Avoiding alcohol or consuming it only with food

If lifestyle changes don’t alleviate symptoms, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to rule out underlying medical conditions.

When to Seek Medical Help for Morning Hypoglycemia

While mild cases of morning hypoglycemia can often be managed at home, certain situations warrant immediate medical attention. When should you seek professional help for low blood sugar?

Contact your healthcare provider if:

  • You experience frequent episodes of morning hypoglycemia despite following preventive measures
  • Your blood sugar levels consistently fall below 70 mg/dL upon waking
  • You have difficulty raising your blood sugar levels with food or glucose tablets
  • You experience severe symptoms such as confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness

For individuals with diabetes, it’s crucial to work closely with your healthcare team to adjust your treatment plan if morning hypoglycemia becomes a recurring issue. They may need to modify your insulin dosage, change your medication regimen, or suggest alternative management strategies.

Non-diabetic individuals experiencing persistent morning hypoglycemia should also consult a healthcare provider. This could be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires further investigation and treatment.

Remember, severe hypoglycemia can be life-threatening. If you or someone you’re with experiences symptoms of severe low blood sugar and is unable to consume glucose orally, call emergency services immediately. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent serious complications.

Long-Term Health Implications of Recurrent Morning Hypoglycemia

While occasional episodes of morning hypoglycemia may not have lasting effects, frequent occurrences can lead to various health complications. What are the potential long-term consequences of recurrent low blood sugar upon waking?

Chronic morning hypoglycemia can result in:

  • Impaired cognitive function and memory issues
  • Increased risk of cardiovascular problems
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Weakened immune system
  • Reduced quality of life due to persistent symptoms

For individuals with diabetes, recurrent hypoglycemia can lead to:

  • Hypoglycemia unawareness, where the body stops producing warning symptoms of low blood sugar
  • Increased risk of severe hypoglycemic events
  • Complications in diabetes management

To mitigate these risks, it’s crucial to address the underlying causes of morning hypoglycemia and work with healthcare professionals to develop an effective management plan. This may involve:

  1. Regular blood glucose monitoring
  2. Adjusting medication or insulin regimens
  3. Implementing lifestyle changes
  4. Addressing any underlying health conditions

By taking proactive steps to prevent and manage morning hypoglycemia, you can reduce the risk of long-term health complications and improve your overall well-being.

Low Blood Sugar in the Mornings: Causes and Prevention

Low Blood Sugar in the Mornings: Causes and Prevention

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Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. O. — By Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C — Updated on September 18, 2018

Your body uses blood sugar, called glucose, as a source of energy for cells and organs. Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, happens when your body doesn’t have enough glucose to use for energy.

People with diabetes mellitus may have low blood sugar in the morning due to too much long-acting insulin, also called background insulin and basal insulin. Insulin helps to manage blood sugar by allowing glucose to enter your cells, where it can be turned into energy. Too much insulin of any kind can cause low blood sugar. Some noninsulin medications to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus can cause hypoglycemia also.

People without diabetes can also have low blood sugar, known as non-diabetic hypoglycemia. This is usually caused by lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise habits.

Low blood sugar is usually defined as a glucose reading below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Readings below 54 mg/dL are more significant and signal that you may need immediate medical treatment.

If you have low blood sugar in the morning, you may wake up with some of these symptoms:

  • headache
  • sweating
  • dry mouth
  • nausea
  • lightheadedness
  • dizziness
  • shaking
  • hunger
  • anxiety
  • blurred vision
  • pounding heart beat

If your blood sugar dips below 54 mg/dL, you might have more severe symptoms, including:

  • fainting
  • seizures
  • coma

If you have any of these severe symptoms, get medical help as soon as possible. Extremely low blood sugar can be life-threatening.

The causes of low blood sugar in the morning vary. If you have diabetes, you likely need to adjust your background insulin levels. Make sure you’re aware of how any other medications you take can affect your blood sugar. Your doctor can help you make sure that your insulin dosage and any other medications you take are a good fit with your diet and exercise routines. Additionally, alcohol usage is a risk for hypoglycemia.

If you don’t have diabetes, hypoglycemia is less likely to occur. However, some non-diabetes-related causes of hypoglycemia include the following:

  • drinking too much alcohol the previous night, which makes it harder for your liver to release glucose into your blood, thus causing a low blood sugar
  • chronic starvation
  • severe liver disease
  • certain diseases involving the pancreas

If you have diabetes, make sure you regularly check your glucose levels, especially before bed. If your blood sugar regularly dips while you sleep, consider using a continuous glucose monitoring device, which alerts you when your blood sugar goes too low or too high. Try to follow these guidelines for healthy glucose levels:

  • before breakfast: 70–130 mg/dL
  • before lunch, dinner, or a snack: 70–130 mg/dL
  • two hours after meals: under 180 mg/dL
  • bedtime: 90–150 mg/dL

If you don’t have diabetes but experience regular hypoglycemia, you may also want to periodically check your glucose levels. Try to keep your glucose level from dropping below 100 mg/dL throughout the day and before bed.

Whether or not you have diabetes, follow these tips to avoid waking up with low blood sugar:

  • Eat balanced meals with healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats regularly throughout the day.
  • Have a bedtime snack.
  • If you drink alcohol, avoid excessive intake and have a snack with it.
  • Avoid exercising too much at night.

For a bedtime snack, try these suggestions:

  • 1 apple with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
  • 1 ounce of cheese and a small handful of whole-grain crackers
  • one 8-ounce glass of milk
  • 1/2 avocado spread on a piece of whole-grain toast
  • handful of berries with a small handful of nuts and seeds

Managing hypoglycemia is fairly simple for people with and without diabetes, but you might need to try a few things before you find what works for you. If you do have diabetes, make sure you work with your doctor to make any adjustments to your medications or insulin dosing. Your physician will be able to help you find and treat the underlying cause of a low blood glucose level if it’s something you need help managing.

Last medically reviewed on October 2, 2017

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

  • Alcohol and hypoglycemia. (n.d.).
    diabetes.co.uk/alcohol-and-hypoglycemia.html
  • Avoiding nighttime lows. (n.d.).
    joslin.org/info/avoiding_nighttime_lows.html
  • How to treat a low blood glucose. (2017)
    joslin.org/info/how_to_treat_a_low_blood_glucose.html
  • Low blood glucose levels before breakfast. (n.d.).
    diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose/low-blood-glucose-levels-before-breakfast.html
  • Goals for blood glucose control. (n.d.).
    joslin.org/info/goals_for_blood_glucose_control.html

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — By Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C — Updated on September 18, 2018

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Low Blood Sugar in the Mornings: Causes and Prevention

Low Blood Sugar in the Mornings: Causes and Prevention

  • Health Conditions
    • Featured
      • Breast Cancer
      • IBD
      • Migraine
      • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
      • Rheumatoid Arthritis
      • Type 2 Diabetes
    • Articles
      • Acid Reflux
      • ADHD
      • Allergies
      • Alzheimer’s & Dementia
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Cancer
      • Crohn’s Disease
      • Chronic Pain
      • Cold & Flu
      • COPD
      • Depression
      • Fibromyalgia
      • Heart Disease
      • High Cholesterol
      • HIV
      • Hypertension
      • IPF
      • Osteoarthritis
      • Psoriasis
      • Skin Disorders and Care
      • STDs
  • Discover
    • Wellness Topics
      • Nutrition
      • Fitness
      • Skin Care
      • Sexual Health
      • Women’s Health
      • Mental Well-Being
      • Sleep
    • Product Reviews
      • Vitamins & Supplements
      • Sleep
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      • CBD
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      • Diagnosis Diaries
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      • No More Silence
      • Future of Health
  • Plan
    • Health Challenges
      • Mindful Eating
      • Sugar Savvy
      • Move Your Body
      • Gut Health
      • Mood Foods
      • Align Your Spine
    • Find Care
      • Primary Care
      • Mental Health
      • OB-GYN
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    • Lifestyle Quizzes
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      • Breast Cancer
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      • Psoriatic Arthritis
      • Migraine
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      • Psoriasis

Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. O. — By Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C — Updated on September 18, 2018

Your body uses blood sugar, called glucose, as a source of energy for cells and organs. Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, happens when your body doesn’t have enough glucose to use for energy.

People with diabetes mellitus may have low blood sugar in the morning due to too much long-acting insulin, also called background insulin and basal insulin. Insulin helps to manage blood sugar by allowing glucose to enter your cells, where it can be turned into energy. Too much insulin of any kind can cause low blood sugar. Some noninsulin medications to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus can cause hypoglycemia also.

People without diabetes can also have low blood sugar, known as non-diabetic hypoglycemia. This is usually caused by lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise habits.

Low blood sugar is usually defined as a glucose reading below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Readings below 54 mg/dL are more significant and signal that you may need immediate medical treatment.

If you have low blood sugar in the morning, you may wake up with some of these symptoms:

  • headache
  • sweating
  • dry mouth
  • nausea
  • lightheadedness
  • dizziness
  • shaking
  • hunger
  • anxiety
  • blurred vision
  • pounding heart beat

If your blood sugar dips below 54 mg/dL, you might have more severe symptoms, including:

  • fainting
  • seizures
  • coma

If you have any of these severe symptoms, get medical help as soon as possible. Extremely low blood sugar can be life-threatening.

The causes of low blood sugar in the morning vary. If you have diabetes, you likely need to adjust your background insulin levels. Make sure you’re aware of how any other medications you take can affect your blood sugar. Your doctor can help you make sure that your insulin dosage and any other medications you take are a good fit with your diet and exercise routines. Additionally, alcohol usage is a risk for hypoglycemia.

If you don’t have diabetes, hypoglycemia is less likely to occur. However, some non-diabetes-related causes of hypoglycemia include the following:

  • drinking too much alcohol the previous night, which makes it harder for your liver to release glucose into your blood, thus causing a low blood sugar
  • chronic starvation
  • severe liver disease
  • certain diseases involving the pancreas

If you have diabetes, make sure you regularly check your glucose levels, especially before bed. If your blood sugar regularly dips while you sleep, consider using a continuous glucose monitoring device, which alerts you when your blood sugar goes too low or too high. Try to follow these guidelines for healthy glucose levels:

  • before breakfast: 70–130 mg/dL
  • before lunch, dinner, or a snack: 70–130 mg/dL
  • two hours after meals: under 180 mg/dL
  • bedtime: 90–150 mg/dL

If you don’t have diabetes but experience regular hypoglycemia, you may also want to periodically check your glucose levels. Try to keep your glucose level from dropping below 100 mg/dL throughout the day and before bed.

Whether or not you have diabetes, follow these tips to avoid waking up with low blood sugar:

  • Eat balanced meals with healthy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats regularly throughout the day.
  • Have a bedtime snack.
  • If you drink alcohol, avoid excessive intake and have a snack with it.
  • Avoid exercising too much at night.

For a bedtime snack, try these suggestions:

  • 1 apple with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
  • 1 ounce of cheese and a small handful of whole-grain crackers
  • one 8-ounce glass of milk
  • 1/2 avocado spread on a piece of whole-grain toast
  • handful of berries with a small handful of nuts and seeds

Managing hypoglycemia is fairly simple for people with and without diabetes, but you might need to try a few things before you find what works for you. If you do have diabetes, make sure you work with your doctor to make any adjustments to your medications or insulin dosing. Your physician will be able to help you find and treat the underlying cause of a low blood glucose level if it’s something you need help managing.

Last medically reviewed on October 2, 2017

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

  • Alcohol and hypoglycemia. (n.d.).
    diabetes.co.uk/alcohol-and-hypoglycemia.html
  • Avoiding nighttime lows. (n.d.).
    joslin.org/info/avoiding_nighttime_lows.html
  • How to treat a low blood glucose. (2017)
    joslin.org/info/how_to_treat_a_low_blood_glucose.html
  • Low blood glucose levels before breakfast. (n.d.).
    diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose/low-blood-glucose-levels-before-breakfast.html
  • Goals for blood glucose control. (n.d.).
    joslin.org/info/goals_for_blood_glucose_control.html

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — By Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C — Updated on September 18, 2018

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  • The Effects of Low Blood Sugar on Your Body

    Medically reviewed by Suzanne Falck, MD

    Shaking, mood changes, headaches, clammy skin, and more — low blood sugar affects your body, even if you don’t have diabetes. Learn more about the…

    READ MORE

  • Diet Plans for Hypoglycemia

    Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C

    Have hypoglycemia? Try these diet tips to help keep your blood sugar level stable.

    READ MORE

  • Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: What’s the Difference?

    Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH

    Curious about type 1 vs. type 2 diabetes? We’ll give you the facts on differences, similarities, causes, risk factors, treatment, and more.

    READ MORE

  • What Causes Early Morning Headaches?

    Medically reviewed by Deena Kuruvilla, MD

    Find out what’s causing your early morning headaches.

    READ MORE

  • Is Diabetes to Blame for Your Headache?

    Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD

    A headache can occur due to high or low blood glucose. Learn the differences, signs to look out for, and how to treat them.

    READ MORE

  • 1 in 4 People With Diabetes Have Eye Damage, Study Finds

    A new study found that one in four people with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy, which an result in vision loss or blindness.

    READ MORE

  • Eating 80% of Daily Calories Before 1pm Can Help You Control Your Blood Sugar

    A new study found that early time-restricted feeding (eTRF) positively affected blood sugar for people with prediabetes.

    READ MORE

  • Can People with Diabetes Eat Dates?

    By Lisa Wartenberg, MFA, RD, LD

    Due to their natural sweetness, dates’ effect on blood sugar may be a concern for those with diabetes. This article explores whether people with…

    READ MORE

  • Too Much or Too Little Sleep May Raise Your Risk of Diabetes

    The quality and amount of sleep you’re getting can greatly affect your risk of developing diabetes. Here’s how to hit the sweet spot for a good…

    READ MORE

  • Type 1 Diabetes Diet

    Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, R.D., CDE

    Looking to start a type 1 diabetes diet? We’ll show you how to focus on nutritious foods such as whole grains and protein while cutting down on fat…

    READ MORE

10 Early Signs of Dangerously Low Blood Sugar

  • Lifestyle

Low blood sugar—hypoglycemia—is just as dangerous as high levels in diabetes. Glucose is needed for the functioning of the nervous system and the brain, and therefore, when sugar drops, it must be returned to normal as soon as possible.

November 22, 2021

Source:
Getty Images

Hypoglycemic coma is also called “diabetic” because it is most common in those who suffer from diabetes, especially insulin-dependent. It can occur, for example, due to skipping or delaying the next meal. But sometimes hypoglycemia occurs in people without such a diagnosis, Express writes. According to Diabetes UK, low blood sugar can happen quickly, so it’s important to know how it manifests and what to do about it.

In Russia, for people over 14 years of age, blood glucose levels of 4.1 – 6.1 mmol/L are considered normal. In hypoglycemia, glucose levels fall below 3.5 mmol/L.

  • Irritability, capriciousness;

  • Anxiety;

  • Sweating;

  • Feeling tired;

  • Dizziness;

  • Feeling of hunger;

  • Tingling on lips;

  • Feeling of trembling;

  • palpitations;

  • Pale skin.

According to the National Health Service of Great Britain (NHS), if you do not immediately try to raise the level of glucose, hypoglycemia can soon manifest itself as more severe symptoms: If you do not provide emergency medical care, there is a risk of death.

An episode of hypoglycemia sometimes occurs during sleep, which can cause a person to wake up suddenly, night sweats, headaches, or morning fatigue.

See also

What to do if your blood sugar levels are low and you are experiencing warning symptoms:

  • Eat and drink something sweet, such as a small glass of fruit juice.

  • Check blood glucose after 10 minutes.

  • If you feel better, have a snack with something containing slow carbohydrates – a piece of bread, toast or a glass of regular milk will do.

  • If there is no improvement, try a sweet drink or snack again, and then check your sugar again after 10-15 minutes.

Text author: Anastasia Romanova

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causes and symptoms of low blood sugar

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The article was prepared by Mikhail Astakhov, anesthesiologist-resuscitator,
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Contents:

  • Clinical signs of low blood glucose
  • Causes of low blood sugar
  • Neonatal hypoglycemia
  • Hypoglycemia in a healthy person

Hypoglycemia is a decrease in blood sugar. Symptoms develop gradually over 20-60 minutes. It occurs mainly in people suffering from type I diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent) in violation of the rules of replacement therapy. Sometimes occurs in pregnant women or newborns. The minimum acceptable blood glucose level is 3.3 mmol/L. With decompensated diabetes, symptoms of a drop in blood sugar in a person occur already at 4.5 mmol / l. In the most severe cases, hypoglycemia phenomena can be observed at 6-7 mmol / l.

Clinical signs of low glucose levels

A drop in blood sugar, regardless of the cause, has symptoms:

  • decrease in intellectual abilities;

  • disorientation, distraction;

  • euphoria;

  • drowsiness;

  • lethargy;

  • fog, flies before the eyes;

  • a sharp, uncontrollable feeling of hunger.

When examining a patient, sweating, a jump in blood pressure, tachycardia, and pallor of the skin are detected. When a hypoglycemic coma occurs – a violation of breathing, consciousness, heart rhythm.

Causes of low blood sugar

The most common cause of low blood glucose lack of food intake after injection of insulin in patients with diabetes mellitus. These cases account for about 90% of all episodes of diagnosed hypoglycemia. The hormone, entering the bloodstream, promotes the breakdown and absorption of carbohydrates by tissues. At the same time, their plasma level is critically reduced. Signs of pathology occur with a sharp drop in sugar levels from high numbers to low or normal levels for a healthy person (for example, from 18-19up to 5-6 mmol/l in diabetics).

Other possible causes of a sharp drop in blood sugar in patients with diabetes include:

  1. Insulin overdose . Occurs when the doctor chooses the wrong dosages or makes mistakes when typing the drug into the syringe. It occurs predominantly in people who have recently started a course of replacement therapy . The severity of the pathology directly depends on how much the required dose of the drug was exceeded.
  2. Increased physical activity . During the performance of physical work, the body spends energy, which is replenished by the breakdown of carbohydrates. If a dose of insulin was administered to , after which people began to play sports or work, mild to moderate hypoglycemia may develop.
  3. Alcohol intake . Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages leads to a violation of carbohydrate metabolism in the liver. The body is unable to synthesize glucose from proteins and maintain its required level in the internal environment. This is one of the common causes of low blood sugar in men .

Neonatal hypoglycemia

Causes of low blood sugar in children of the initial period of life:

  • neonatal syndrome from a mother with classic or gestational diabetes;

  • neonatal diabetes;

  • iatrogenic neonatal hypoglycemia;

  • other transient and unspecified disorders of carbohydrate metabolism.

Such violations are due to the peculiarities of the production and consumption of sugars by the child’s body. Glucose intake in the early postnatal period is about 7 g/kg body weight per day. Its insufficient intake provokes the activation of the processes of glycogenolysis and glucogenogenesis, which in the future may have unpredictable consequences.

Hypoglycemia in a healthy person

Sometimes blood sugar drops in pregnant women. This is due to hormonal changes in the body, in which there is hyperproduction of insulin by the pancreas. In addition, the cause of low blood sugar in a woman may be malnutrition. The fetus consumes a fairly large amount of glucose. If the consumption is not compensated by food, the concentration of sugars in the internal environment decreases.

In people without diabetes, insulinoma, a hormone-producing tumor of the pancreas, causes hypoglycemia. At the same time, the concentration of insulin in the body increases, the content of sugars decreases.