Recognizing a ‘Low Blood Sugar’ Episode

blood sugar measuring to recognize low blood sugar

If you or any of your loved ones has diabetes, you must be aware of a sugar low episode. When your blood sugar level plummets to 70mg/dL or lower, you call it hypoglycemia. In past research, it was seen that people with type 2 diabetes experienced mild low sugar episodes nineteen times a year and a severe low episode once a year.

The sudden drop in your blood sugar level can have short-term effects like dizziness and confusion. However, if left untreated, the patient might also suffer from serious consequences like coma and even death. As soon as you see a symptom of hypoglycemia, you should treat it instantly.

Low Sugar Episode Symptoms

Ravenous Hunger

Feeling hungry just after having your meal can be a sign that you are experiencing a low sugar episode. When you experience such an event, your body is signaling that it still needs more sugar in the system, and you can overcome it by eating something sweet.

The American Diabetes Association says that when you are suffering from low sugar episodes, you can eat 15-20 grams of sugar or carbohydrates.

Anxiety Attacks at Night

When you have a hypoglycemia attack, your brain will signal your liver to produce more sugar. The liver then releases the hormones called Epinephrine, which are commonly called adrenalin. The excess production of adrenalin leads to an adrenalin rush. As a result, you have anxiety at night.

Shakes and Tremors

When you experience a low sugar episode, your nervous system starts to malfunction. The imbalanced sugar levels in the blood signals your brain that you need more sugar. As a result, the chemical responsible for glucose production i.e., catecholamine, is released, which causes your body to shake.

Emotional Instability

The major symptoms of low sugar episodes are abnormal behaviors. If you notice a behavior not normal to you, it can be a signal for a drop in sugar levels. Irrationality in behavior, crying hysterically, an uncontrollable urge to be left alone, or even uncontrollable anger are examples of behavioral episodes arising from low sugar levels.

Slurred Speech

When you experience a low sugar episode, you might also sound like you’ve had too many drinks. But your sugar thirsty brain might not detect it. Only the people you talk to might notice the difference in your speech. So, if you notice a person with slurred speech, do tell them about it – they might be experiencing low sugar episode.

Conclusion

To save yourself from the troubles of a low sugar episode, you can keep track of what you eat. Check your blood sugar levels regularly and shape your food intake according to it. Always listen to your doctor. Take the medicines according to your prescription and keep your medicines in stock, so that they don’t run out when you need them the most.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you should always keep some candy or juice with you. So, whenever your blood sugar level drops, you have something to support your system.

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