Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar- Hypoglycemia
By Dr Joseph J Collins, ND, RN
By Dr Joseph J Collins, ND, RN
This article is part of the Blood Sugar Health Educational Module
Symptoms of low blood sugar not caused by insulin or another diabetes medication indicate an unstable Glucose-Insulin-System, and increased risk for developing insulin resistance and diabetes. As discussed in previous articles within this educational module, low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) is a sign of impending insulin resistance and high blood glucose (hyperglycemia).
If hypoglycemia is due to using insulin or another diabetes medication, then the person experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia needs to consult with their physician, who may change the medication ro adjust the dosage.
Many of the symptoms that are associated with low blood sugar are generalized symptoms, and not specifically limited to low blood sugar. Therefore, the symptoms may be due to other health problems.,
Not all the symptoms occur in every case of hypoglycemia, and the symptoms do not appear in any specific order. The specific symptoms may vary by the age or by the severity of the hypoglycemia and the speed of the decline in blood glucose levels.
In some people, moderately severe hypoglycemia may resemble mania, mental illness, drug intoxication, or drunkenness. In the elderly, hypoglycemia can appear as stroke-like symptoms of as generalized sickness with feelings of malaise.
The following symptoms are associated with acute episodes of hyperglycemia, often referred to as being a “hypoglycemic episode”. The symptoms that a person experiences may be similar from episode to episode but are not always. The subsequent episodes may be different due to how fast the glucose levels are dropping, as well as previous incidents. This inconsistency of symptom may make it difficult to quickly recognize an episode of hypoglycemia.
Generalized Symptoms of hypoglycemia
Dilated pupils (mydriasis)
Headache
Hunger, borborygmus
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort
Pallor, coldness, clamminess
Palpitations, tachycardia
Shakiness, anxiety, nervousness
Sweating, feeling of warmth (sympathetic muscarinic rather than adrenergic)
Dilated pupils (mydriasis)
Headache
Hunger, borborygmus
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort
Pallor, coldness, clamminess
Palpitations, tachycardia
Shakiness, anxiety, nervousness
Sweating, feeling of warmth (sympathetic muscarinic rather than adrenergic)
Neurological Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
Abnormal thinking, impaired judgment
Ataxia, incoordination, sometimes mistaken for drunkenness
Automatic behavior, also known as automatism
Confusion, memory loss, lightheadedness or dizziness, delirium
Difficulty speaking, slurred speech
Fatigue, weakness, apathy, lethargy, daydreaming, sleep
Feeling of numbness, pins and needles (paresthesia)
Flashes of light in the field of vision
Focal or general motor deficit, paralysis, hemiparesis
Generalized or focal seizures
Headache
Negativism, irritability, belligerence, combativeness, rage
Nonspecific dysphoria, moodiness, depression, crying, exaggerated concerns
Personality change, emotional lability
Staring, glassy look, blurred vision, double vision
Stupor, coma, abnormal breathing
Abnormal thinking, impaired judgment
Ataxia, incoordination, sometimes mistaken for drunkenness
Automatic behavior, also known as automatism
Confusion, memory loss, lightheadedness or dizziness, delirium
Difficulty speaking, slurred speech
Fatigue, weakness, apathy, lethargy, daydreaming, sleep
Feeling of numbness, pins and needles (paresthesia)
Flashes of light in the field of vision
Focal or general motor deficit, paralysis, hemiparesis
Generalized or focal seizures
Headache
Negativism, irritability, belligerence, combativeness, rage
Nonspecific dysphoria, moodiness, depression, crying, exaggerated concerns
Personality change, emotional lability
Staring, glassy look, blurred vision, double vision
Stupor, coma, abnormal breathing
Summary:
Symptoms of low blood sugar not caused by insulin or another diabetes medication indicate an unstable Glucose-Insulin-System, and increased risk for developing insulin resistance and diabetes.
Symptoms of low blood sugar may vary. Hypoglycemia due to insulin or other medication should be discussed with the prescribing physician, who may change the medication or lower the dosage.
Symptoms of low blood sugar not caused by insulin or another diabetes medication indicate an unstable Glucose-Insulin-System, and increased risk for developing insulin resistance and diabetes.
Symptoms of low blood sugar may vary. Hypoglycemia due to insulin or other medication should be discussed with the prescribing physician, who may change the medication or lower the dosage.
References & Addition Reading
Reviewed & Updated: 07/20/19