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Hypoglycemia and diabetes: How to treat low blood sugar
Hypoglycemia can lead to seizures and loss of consciousness. Learn how to spot low blood sugar — and what to do about it.
By Mayo Clinic staffYou have diabetes. You're feeling shaky, clumsy and irritable. These telltale symptoms may indicate low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Find out how to get your blood sugar level back on track.
Why blood sugar falls
Hypoglycemia — often defined as blood sugar below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or 4 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) — occurs when there's too much insulin and not enough sugar (glucose) in your blood. Hypoglycemia is most common among people who take insulin, but it can also occur if you're taking oral diabetes medications.
Culprits may include:
- Taking too much diabetes medication
- Not eating enough
- Postponing or skipping a meal
- Increasing physical activity without eating more
- Drinking alcohol
What to watch out for
Paying attention to the early signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia can help you treat the condition promptly. Red flags include:
- Shakiness
- Clumsiness
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Sweating
- Hunger
- Irritability or moodiness
- Headache
- Blurry or double vision
- Pounding heartbeat
- Confusion
It's important to take your symptoms seriously. Hypoglycemia can increase the risk of serious — even deadly — accidents. Left untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to seizures and loss of consciousness. Rarely, severe hypoglycemia can be fatal.
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