Low blood sugar is a condition that shows that glucose is below normal. This can occur in people with diabetes who are taking insulin or other medications to control their disease.
However, it can also be registered in those who do not have this condition and it is important to be clear that this situation can generate dangerous symptoms, says the United States Library of Medicine.
Low blood glucose is called hypoglycemia and is when it is below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). According to experts, when it reaches 54 mg/dl, the patient requires immediate attention.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) indicates that the symptoms, from mild to moderate, when a person has low blood sugar are: hunger, anxiety or tremors, sweating, lightheadedness or dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, fatigue or drowsiness, pale skin, and confusion.
Similarly, feeling weak, nervous, irritable, incoordinated, fast or irregular pulse or heartbeat may occur personality or behavior changes and trouble concentrating.
In severe cases, the signs may be: seizures or seizures, convulsions, inability to eat or drink, and loss of consciousness.
Causes of low blood sugar
Low blood sugar is often associated with diabetes, but it can occur in people without the condition. Regardless of the cause, hypoglycemia is dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible.
When people are diabetic they are at risk of their blood sugar levels falling below the normal range. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common causes include: too much insulin, taking too many diabetes medications, increased or changed exercise, alcohol use, and skipping a meal.
These aren’t the only reasons, however, the NIDDK adds that being sick, not consuming enough carbohydrates, and delaying a meal for too long can all lead to blood sugar levels dropping too low.
An article published on the portal Medical News Today indicates that hypoglycemia unrelated to diabetes is rare, but can occur. There are two types: fasting hypoglycemia, which is often associated with an underlying condition, and reactive hypoglycemia, which occurs a few hours following a meal.
Causes for fasting hypoglycemia can include: heavy alcohol use, liver, heart, or kidney disease, tumors affecting the pancreas, low hormone levels, and certain medications, such as salicylates (aspirin) or sulfa (antibiotics).
In the case of reactive hypoglycemia, among the reasons are: having prediabetes, enzyme deficiency and stomach surgery.
If someone has constant or regular low blood sugar levels due to diabetes or other conditions, they are at risk of developing serious complications, such as changes in quality of life, lack of sleep, kidney problems, difficulties with blood flow to the brain, impaired cognitive function, heart attack, vision loss, and coma.
For specialists, the best way to control low blood sugar is to seek a diagnosis and make lifestyle changes to prevent symptoms from occurring.
Early detection of diabetes or any underlying cause is important. This helps start a treatment plan before symptoms become severe.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) advises that a person who has symptoms of low blood sugar should check their levels before and following meals, in the middle of the night, before bed, and before and following exercise.
