Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEarly SignsNighttime SymptomsSerious SymptomsHypoglycemia UnawarenessWhen to Seek Medical CareComplicationsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Early Signs
Nighttime Symptoms
Serious Symptoms
Hypoglycemia Unawareness
When to Seek Medical Care
Complications
Frequently Asked Questions
The sugar (glucose) levels in your blood fluctuate naturally. Low blood sugar, orhypoglycemia, can arise for many reasons, including not eating enough or suddenly engaging in strenuous activity.
However, it’s most common in those takinginsulinor other medications fortype 2 diabetesand those withtype 1 diabetes. Hypoglycemia can be dangerous, with symptoms including rapid heartbeat, dizziness, sweating, and irritability.
This article discusses the signs of hypoglycemia, what is dangerously low blood sugar, and when it’s time to get help.
Delmaine Donson / Getty Images
Early Signs Blood Sugar Is Low
In general, there’s a good deal of variation when it comes to the signs of low blood sugar. Milder and more common symptoms of low blood sugar include:
Just as blood sugar levels can dip during the day, they can also decrease at night. Since this happens while you’re asleep, it can last for many hours, leading to dangerously low levels. The signs ofnocturnal hypoglycemiainclude:
Additional Effects of Nocturnal HypoglycemiaRecurring low blood sugar at night can significantly impact sleep, affecting your mood, your performance at work or school, and your overall quality of life.
Additional Effects of Nocturnal Hypoglycemia
Recurring low blood sugar at night can significantly impact sleep, affecting your mood, your performance at work or school, and your overall quality of life.
Severe hypoglycemia, also known as insulin shock, occurs when blood sugar levels drop below 54 mg/dL.This is a serious condition that requires urgent medical treatment.
Extremely low blood sugar primarily impacts your brain function and can cause lasting damage. Hypoglycemic shock can cause you to pass out suddenly and, even more distressingly, causeseizures.Hypoglycemic shock can also cause:
Signs of Hypoglycemia Unawareness
What can be especially troubling about low blood sugar is that, in some cases, there are no outward signs. This type of hypoglycemia is called hypoglycemia unawareness. There is a greater risk with this condition, as you only experience symptoms once blood sugar levels have dropped so low that they cause hypoglycemic shock.
In these cases, monitoring glucose levels regularly is essential, especially if you’re planning to drive or engage in physical activity.
Hypoglycemia unawareness is most common in those who:
When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
Since low blood sugar can become very severe, several cases call for emergency medical help. These include:
Mild to moderate hypoglycemia can generally be treated and managed without becoming serious. However, severely low blood sugar, especially if untreated, can lead to loss of consciousness or coma and become fatal.There are also complications associated with repeatedhypoglycemic attacks, which can lead to hypoglycemia unawareness.
High Blood SugarAmong those with diabetes who’ve had many hypoglycemic episodes, there is an increased chance of developinghyperglycemia(high blood sugar). This might happen if concern or fear of low blood glucose keeps you from taking medication needed to control your blood sugar.
High Blood Sugar
Among those with diabetes who’ve had many hypoglycemic episodes, there is an increased chance of developinghyperglycemia(high blood sugar). This might happen if concern or fear of low blood glucose keeps you from taking medication needed to control your blood sugar.
Summary
Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, most often arises among those with diabetes and is associated with taking too much insulin. Common symptoms of mild to moderate cases include fatigue, hunger, confusion, headache, and dizziness. More severe cases can cause loss of consciousness or coma and may even become fatal.When hypoglycemia becomes severe or is resistant to treatment, prompt medical attention is necessary.
A Word From Verywell
If you have diabetes and are taking insulin, it’s important to monitor blood sugar levels and be aware of the signs of hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar can lead to serious and even dangerous health issues, but timely treatment can effectively manage it. Talk to your healthcare provider about hypoglycemia and what you can do to prevent it.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIn mild to moderate cases of low blood sugar, consuming carbohydrate and sugar-rich foods can raise blood sugar within 15 minutes.However, medical attention is needed if the condition persists.Learn MoreHow Hypoglycemia Is TreatedThe diabetes 15-15 rule is a way to manage mild to moderate hypoglycemia (blood sugar levels between 55 and 69 mg/dL). It involves consuming 15 grams of carbohydrates and waiting 15 minutes before checking blood sugar to see if they’re at target levels. If they aren’t, repeat the process. Once your blood sugar level is back at the target range, eat a meal or healthy snack to retain it.Learn MoreManaging Diabetes: What You Should KnowYes, blood sugar levels can drop while you’re sleeping. This is known as nighttime or nocturnal hypoglycemia, and can cause nightmares, yelling or shouting upon waking, and night sweats.This can be particularly problematic as blood sugar levels can remain low for multiple hours.Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Hypoglycemia
In mild to moderate cases of low blood sugar, consuming carbohydrate and sugar-rich foods can raise blood sugar within 15 minutes.However, medical attention is needed if the condition persists.Learn MoreHow Hypoglycemia Is Treated
In mild to moderate cases of low blood sugar, consuming carbohydrate and sugar-rich foods can raise blood sugar within 15 minutes.However, medical attention is needed if the condition persists.
Learn MoreHow Hypoglycemia Is Treated
The diabetes 15-15 rule is a way to manage mild to moderate hypoglycemia (blood sugar levels between 55 and 69 mg/dL). It involves consuming 15 grams of carbohydrates and waiting 15 minutes before checking blood sugar to see if they’re at target levels. If they aren’t, repeat the process. Once your blood sugar level is back at the target range, eat a meal or healthy snack to retain it.Learn MoreManaging Diabetes: What You Should Know
The diabetes 15-15 rule is a way to manage mild to moderate hypoglycemia (blood sugar levels between 55 and 69 mg/dL). It involves consuming 15 grams of carbohydrates and waiting 15 minutes before checking blood sugar to see if they’re at target levels. If they aren’t, repeat the process. Once your blood sugar level is back at the target range, eat a meal or healthy snack to retain it.
Learn MoreManaging Diabetes: What You Should Know
Yes, blood sugar levels can drop while you’re sleeping. This is known as nighttime or nocturnal hypoglycemia, and can cause nightmares, yelling or shouting upon waking, and night sweats.This can be particularly problematic as blood sugar levels can remain low for multiple hours.Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Hypoglycemia
Yes, blood sugar levels can drop while you’re sleeping. This is known as nighttime or nocturnal hypoglycemia, and can cause nightmares, yelling or shouting upon waking, and night sweats.This can be particularly problematic as blood sugar levels can remain low for multiple hours.
Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Hypoglycemia
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Low blood sugar.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.About low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Low blood sugar.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.About low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Low blood sugar.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
MedlinePlus.Low blood sugar.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
