what are the signs of hypoglycemia?

the most common symptoms of low blood sugar include trembling, sweating, anxiety, confusion, nausea or difficulty concentrating.

by dave yasvinski

published nov 18, 2022

last updated jan 08, 2024

3 minute read

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3 minute read

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some of the signs include sweating, nausea and anxiety

the majority of people with diabetes also exhibit some symptoms of hypoglycemia. getty

hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when the body’s blood sugar, or glucose, falls below healthy levels, impeding its ability to perform vital functions. the most common cause of hypoglycemia is the medication used to control diabetes, a condition where the body does not produce insulin or does not properly use the insulin it does produce, but other drugs and conditions can lower glucose levels in patients with or without diabetes. according to the canadian patient safety institute, any blood glucose level below 4.0 mmol/l is considered a case of hypoglycemia and cognitive impairment can quickly occur if this number drops below 2.8 mmol/l. the condition is easily treatable but if low glucose levels are not urgently addressed, there can be severe consequences, including death.

symptoms of hypoglycemia

although the condition varies from patient to patient — with some people exhibiting no signs of low glucose — the most common symptoms, according to diabetes canada, include trembling, sweating, anxiety, confusion, nausea or difficulty concentrating. other symptoms that may be encountered include: a pale appearance, headache, fatigue, irritability, dizziness and tingling in the lips or face. as the condition worsens, this list can involve slurred speech, a loss of coordination, blurry vision, nightmares, seizures and unresponsiveness. if you are experiencing what you think is hypoglycemia and you don’t have diabetes you should seek treatment immediately.

diagnosing hypoglycemia

hypoglycemia is usually detected with a blood glucose meter, a small machine that uses a tiny amount of blood from a patient to determine their blood sugar level. people who have hypoglycemia unawareness (and do not feel symptoms of the condition) may be required to wear a continuous glucose monitor that sounds an alarm if this level drops too low.

treating hypoglycemia

reversing the effects of hypoglycemia typically involves raising the body’s sugar level as quickly as possible. the best way to do this, according to the mayo clinic, is to:

consume 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates – sugary foods and drinks that are quickly converted to sugar inside the body
check sugar levels 15 minutes later and if they are still below 3.9 mmol/l, eat another 15 to 20 grams and check again. repeat until blood sugar exceeds this level
after blood sugar is restored to a safe level, eat a healthy snack to replenish the body’s glycogen stores (glucose storage that helps prevent future episodes of hypoglycemia)

preventing hypoglycemia

hypoglycemia is often the result of an underlying condition that needs to be addressed. treatment varies depending on the specific cause but usually involves nutrition counselling (to ensure patients are eating a healthy, balanced diet) and reviewing and/or changing medications. if a tumour is the underlying cause of the condition, partial removal of the pancreas may be required.

prevalence of hypoglycemia

statistics on hypoglycemia are hard to come by as milder encounters with the condition may not require medical attention and can be resolved at home. according to one study of 552 canadians with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, almost two-thirds of total respondents (65.2 per cent) reported experiencing at least one hypoglycemic event at an annualized crude incidence density of 35.1 events per person-year. severe hypoglycemia was reported by 41.8 per cent of all respondents. the study concluded that the incidence of hypoglycemia among canadian adults with diabetes who are taking insulin is higher than previously thought.

support for hypoglycemia

diabetes canada offers more information about hypoglycemia and other underlying medical conditions that may result in low blood sugar.

dave yasvinski is a writer at healthing.

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dave yasvinski

what are the signs of hypoglycemia?