Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns and SymptomsRisk Factors and CausesDiagnosisPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs and Symptoms
Risk Factors and Causes
Diagnosis
Prevention
When a person is sleeping at night and their blood glucose falls below 70 mg/dL, this is called nocturnal hypoglycemia. This is a common occurrence that can be very dangerous.
Studies have shown that more than half of low blood glucose episodes happen during sleep at night. Although this condition is known to have dangerous outcomes, it can be prevented with planning and education. It is important to work with your healthcare provider to create a plan and understand how to manage the condition.
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Hypoglycemiais also known as low blood sugar. This happens when the blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg/dL. This is common in people with diabetes but people without diabetes can experience hypoglycemia as well.
When people are awake during the day, they typically know when their blood sugar is low due to symptoms they may experience or if they have a monitor that informs them of their numbers. Some of the symptoms of hypoglycemia are the following:
Mild to moderate
Severe
Symptoms of nocturnal hypoglycemia
If a person sleeps with a partner, they may be the first to notice the nighttime symptoms since the person experiencing it is sleeping.
Risk factors for hypoglycemia include:
Some factors that cause nocturnal hypoglycemia include:
It is important to work with your healthcare provider and discuss your specific symptoms and create a proper plan for the best outcome.
Diagnosing Nocturnal Hypoglycemia
Nocturnal hypoglycemia can be difficult to detect because when a person experiences it they are sleeping. A partner or roommate in the company of the person experiencing nocturnal hypoglycemia can help.
Some of the following symptoms can help detect the condition.
Another way to detect nocturnal hypoglycemia is with a continuousglucose monitor (CGM). A CGM is a device that checks blood glucose levels regularly throughout the day and at night. It will have an alert if the blood glucose is falling fast and an alarm will go off if the blood glucose is too low. This device is loud enough that a person will wake up if nocturnal hypoglycemia occurs.
Does Poor Sleep Affect Blood Sugar?Sleep is important for overall health, including the regulation of metabolism. Therefore, studies have shown that insufficient sleep and sleep disorders have been identified as risk factors for the development of diabetes.
Does Poor Sleep Affect Blood Sugar?
Sleep is important for overall health, including the regulation of metabolism. Therefore, studies have shown that insufficient sleep and sleep disorders have been identified as risk factors for the development of diabetes.
Preventing Nocturnal Hypoglycemia
There are some ways to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia. This includes:
Treating HypoglycemiaIf you do have to treat your hypoglycemia to immediately raise your blood sugar levels, use the rule of 15:Eat 15 grams of carbohydrates (this can include four glucose tablets or four ounces of fruit juice)Check the blood sugar 15 minutes later
Treating Hypoglycemia
If you do have to treat your hypoglycemia to immediately raise your blood sugar levels, use the rule of 15:Eat 15 grams of carbohydrates (this can include four glucose tablets or four ounces of fruit juice)Check the blood sugar 15 minutes later
If you do have to treat your hypoglycemia to immediately raise your blood sugar levels, use the rule of 15:
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.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hypoglycemia: nocturnal.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).Grandner MA, Seixas A, Shetty S, Shenoy S.Sleep duration and diabetes risk: population trends and potential mechanisms.Curr Diab Rep. 2016;16(11):106. doi:10.1007/s11892-016-0805-8Hackensack Meridian Health.5 tips to prevent blood sugar from dropping at night. Updated October 10, 2019.
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.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hypoglycemia: nocturnal.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).Grandner MA, Seixas A, Shetty S, Shenoy S.Sleep duration and diabetes risk: population trends and potential mechanisms.Curr Diab Rep. 2016;16(11):106. doi:10.1007/s11892-016-0805-8Hackensack Meridian Health.5 tips to prevent blood sugar from dropping at night. Updated October 10, 2019.
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.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hypoglycemia: nocturnal.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).Grandner MA, Seixas A, Shetty S, Shenoy S.Sleep duration and diabetes risk: population trends and potential mechanisms.Curr Diab Rep. 2016;16(11):106. doi:10.1007/s11892-016-0805-8Hackensack Meridian Health.5 tips to prevent blood sugar from dropping at night. Updated October 10, 2019.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hypoglycemia: nocturnal.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
Grandner MA, Seixas A, Shetty S, Shenoy S.Sleep duration and diabetes risk: population trends and potential mechanisms.Curr Diab Rep. 2016;16(11):106. doi:10.1007/s11892-016-0805-8
Hackensack Meridian Health.5 tips to prevent blood sugar from dropping at night. Updated October 10, 2019.
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