It can strike without warning: at work, in class, or even while driving. A person might suddenly feel shaky, sweaty, or confused. For many people living with diabetes, this is what hypoglycemia feels like: a condition where your blood sugar level drops dangerously low, typically below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
These “low” episodes are far from rare. A global study across 24 countries found that 83 percent of people on insulin because they have Type 1 diabetes, and about half of those who take insulin for Type 2 diabetes have experienced hypoglycemia.
Understanding the causes and risk factors of hypoglycemia is key to preventing episodes.
Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock
What Are the Causes of Hypoglycemia?
Blood glucose (blood sugar) is the body’s main fuel source.
It comes from the food we eat—mostly carbohydrates—which break down into glucose during digestion. When glucose enters the bloodstream, the pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that helps glucose move from the blood into the body’s cells, where it is used for energy.
The brain and nervous system are especially dependent on glucose. They need a steady, balanced supply to function properly. When blood sugar drops too low or rises too high, your body struggles to work normally.
In diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively. This causes high blood sugar levels. While high blood sugar is the typical problem, treatments for diabetes can sometimes cause the opposite issue: dangerously low blood sugar.
The most common culprit is diabetes medications, including the following:
- Insulin: Insulin is the most common medication associated with hypoglycemic episodes, often because of mismatched dosing precision, meal timing, activity, and other physiological and behavioral factors.
- Sulfonylureas: These pills are usually taken once or twice a day. They work by increasing insulin release over several hours, which can sometimes cause blood glucose to drop too low.
- Meglitinides: These medications are taken before meals and cause a short-term increase in insulin. If meals are delayed or skipped, they may lead to low blood glucose.
- Not Eating Enough Carbohydrates: Skipping meals, delaying meals, or eating too few carbohydrates can cause blood glucose to fall below healthy levels.
- Fasting: Taking glucose-lowering medications while fasting increases the risk of low blood glucose.
- Increased Physical Activity: Exercising more than usual can lower blood glucose during the activity and for up to 24 hours afterward.
- Drinking Alcohol Without Food: Alcohol makes it harder for the body to maintain stable blood glucose levels and can mask early warning signs of hypoglycemia.
- Illness: Being sick may reduce appetite or cause vomiting, leading to lower blood glucose levels. Conditions like kidney failure, liver failure, and hypothyroidism can also reduce insulin excretion, causing insulin to act longer than expected.
- Stress: Both psychological and physical stress can affect digestion and metabolism, contributing to blood sugar swings.
One occurs after eating, especially carbohydrate-rich meals, when the body releases too much insulin, has increased insulin sensitivity, or has an impaired glucose response. It commonly affects people with prediabetes, those at increased risk for diabetes, and with people who have had bariatric surgery, in which rapid sugar absorption triggers excess insulin.
The other scenario occurs between meals or overnight—known as nocturnal hypoglycemia. This can result from a variety of causes, including certain medications, alcohol use, serious illnesses affecting the liver, heart, or kidneys, and hormonal deficiencies.
What Are the Symptoms of Hypoglycemia?
Low blood sugar causes symptoms that generally fall into two main groups:
- Brain-Related Symptoms: These occur when the brain doesn’t get enough glucose and may include confusion, extreme tiredness, seizures, or even loss of consciousness. If not treated quickly, they can become life-threatening.
- Body Warning Symptoms: These occur when the body releases stress hormones in response to low blood sugar. Warning signs may include shakiness, a racing heartbeat, anxiety, hunger, sweating, or tingling sensations.
Common Symptoms by Severity
Symptoms typically appear when blood glucose levels fall below the normal range of 70 to 99 mg/dL. They can develop gradually or strike suddenly, escalating from mild discomfort to serious confusion within minutes.Mild hypoglycemia (below 70 mg/dL):
- Hunger
- Nervousness or shakiness
- Sweating
- Tingling in the lips, tongue, or cheeks
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Confusion
- Difficulty speaking
- Blurred vision
- Weakness
- Pale skin
- Seizures or convulsions
- Loss of consciousness or coma
- Impaired thinking and severe confusion
- Difficulty following instructions
- Slurred speech
- Appearing intoxicated
Special Circumstances to Watch For
There are certain circumstances in which low blood sugar occurs under unique conditions or presents with atypical warning signs, such as during sleep or when the body fails to recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia.Nocturnal Hypoglycemia
Nighttime hypoglycemia can be especially dangerous because symptoms may go unnoticed during sleep. Call your doctor if you or your partner observe any of the following signs at night:
- Restless or irritable sleep
- Hot, clammy, or sweaty skin
- Trembling or shaking
- Changes in breathing, such as sudden, fast, or slow breathing
- Nightmares that may wake the person
- A racing heartbeat
This dangerous condition occurs when the body no longer recognizes low blood sugar symptoms. You may not feel the warning signs until severe complications, such as seizures or coma, occur.
You’re more likely to experience this if you:
- Have had diabetes for more than five to 10 years
- Experience frequent low blood glucose episodes
- Take certain medications, such as beta blockers
Seek emergency medical help if low blood sugar symptoms do not improve after eating sugar or if the person becomes less alert or cannot be awakened.
Important: Don’t drive yourself to the emergency room—have someone else drive you or call emergency services.
How Is Hypoglycemia Diagnosed?
Hypoglycemia is diagnosed by confirming low blood sugar levels. Doctors may use blood tests taken during symptoms, review medical history and medications, and sometimes order additional tests to identify the underlying cause.
Diabetic Hypoglycemia
Diagnosis is usually straightforward and based on reported symptoms, with confirmation by measuring low blood glucose levels when symptoms occur.Nondiabetic Hypoglycemia
Doctors usually recognize hypoglycemia based on symptoms, medical history, a physical exam, and simple tests. The first step is to measure blood glucose levels. A diagnosis is confirmed if blood sugar is low at the time symptoms occur, especially when this relationship is observed more than once. Improvement in symptoms shortly after eating sugar further supports the diagnosis.If the link between symptoms and low blood sugar is unclear, additional tests may be necessary, including the following:
- Measuring blood glucose levels after fasting in a hospital or supervised setting
- Stopping suspected medications, such as pentamidine or quinine, and monitoring glucose levels
- Measuring insulin levels during a supervised fast, sometimes lasting up to 72 hours, if an insulin-producing tumor (insulinoma) is suspected
The Supervised Fast Test
A 48- to 72-hour supervised fast is used to distinguish insulin-mediated hypoglycemia, caused by excess insulin, from other causes. While 72 hours is the diagnostic standard, 48 hours is usually sufficient. Blood glucose is monitored regularly, and when levels fall below set thresholds, components of insulin secretion—including insulin, C-peptide, and proinsulin—are measured to help identify the cause.
Additional testing at the end of the fast can help detect insulin-producing tumors or medication-induced hypoglycemia. If hypoglycemia does not occur after fasting and exercise, insulin-producing tumors are unlikely.
For reactive hypoglycemia, fasting may be unhelpful. Evaluation is instead performed after a mixed or trigger meal, with serial glucose and hormone measurements.
What Are the Treatments for Hypoglycemia?
Treatment is individualized based on symptom severity, age, overall health, and the underlying cause. It includes immediate treatment to quickly raise blood glucose and relieve symptoms, along with strategies to prevent future episodes.
Mild to Moderate Hypoglycemia
If a person experiencing hypoglycemia is conscious and able to swallow, they can usually treat themselves. Young children or people who need assistance may require help. When blood glucose is less than 70 mg/dL, the following steps are recommended:Step 1: Take Fact-Acting Glucose Immediately
- 15 grams of glucose gel (preferred)
- Six to seven regular-sized jelly beans
- 4 ounces of regular soft drink or fruit juice
- 3 teaspoons of sugar or honey
Step 2: Recheck Blood Glucose
Measure your blood glucose after 15 minutes. If it is still 70 mg/dL or lower, repeat step 1 and recheck after another 15 minutes.
Step 3: Prevent Recurrence Once Blood Glucose Rises Above 70 mg/dL
If the next meal is more than an hour away, eat a snack containing carbohydrates, such as a piece of fruit, a slice of bread, plain crackers, a glass of milk, or a small tub of yogurt.
If it is time for a meal, ensure it contains carbohydrates to help maintain stable blood glucose levels.
This approach, known as “the rule of 15s,” quickly corrects low blood sugar while helping prevent another episode.
People with recurrent hypoglycemia, particularly those with diabetes, often carry glucose tablets for rapid effect and may follow with longer-lasting carbohydrates. Glucose gel tubes—small flavored packets containing about 15 grams of carbohydrates—are widely available at most pharmacies.
Severe Hypoglycemia
In severe cases, the affected person cannot treat themselves and requires assistance.Do not give anything by mouth if the person cannot swallow or follow instructions.
People at risk may keep injectable or nasal glucagon for emergencies. Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood sugar by telling the liver to release stored glucose. It works within five to 15 minutes and is available as an injection or nasal spray. Family members or caregivers can be trained to use it.
Follow the steps below to manage someone unconscious with severe hypoglycemia:
- Lay the person on their side and do not give food or drink
- Turn off the insulin pump if the person is wearing one
- Administer nasal spray or injectable glucagon
- Call 911 for emergency assistance
- Check blood glucose 15 minutes after giving glucagon
If blood glucose is 70 mg/dL or higher and the next meal is more than an hour away, provide a snack containing 15 grams of carbohydrates and a source of protein.
After a severe hypoglycemic episode, the patient should avoid exercise for the rest of the day, monitor blood glucose more frequently, and try to identify the cause of the episode.
Treatment of Underlying Causes
Treatment depends on what’s causing your hypoglycemia and may include the following approaches:- Personal Management Plan: Work with your medical team to regularly review blood glucose, adjust medications as needed, and develop a plan to prevent and manage hypoglycemia.
- Carbohydrate Modification: Reactive hypoglycemia may improve by limiting carbohydrates, especially simple sugars, and using alpha-glucosidase medications such as acarbose to slow carbohydrate absorption.
- Surgery: Insulinomas are pancreatic cancers that make extra insulin and are usually surgically removed. Surgery cures hypoglycemia in about 85 percent of cases. Medications such as octreotide or diazoxide may help control symptoms before surgery.
- Regaining Hypoglycemia Awareness: Avoiding low blood glucose episodes for several weeks can help restore early warning symptoms. This may require higher glucose targets or treatment adjustments and should be done in close coordination with a diabetes care team.
What Are the Natural and Lifestyle Approaches to Hypoglycemia?
The approaches below include both natural, long-term strategies for managing blood sugar and potential treatments for individual episodes.
1. Diet
Most clinical guidelines support broader dietary patterns—such as Mediterranean-style, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension or DASH, low-glycemic index or load, and plant-forward diets—that emphasize overall carbohydrate quality, balanced macronutrients, and healthy fats.Key dietary strategies include the following:
- Follow a Specific Eating Order: Start meals with protein or legumes, followed by vegetables and mushrooms, and then rice and fruit. This sequence helps regulate digestion and improves the body’s ability to handle carbohydrates.
- Maintain Consistent Portions: Keep rice portions consistent from meal to meal to help support stable blood sugar levels and predictable glucose responses.
- Limit Sugar and Ultra-Processed Foods: Ultra-processed snacks, sodas, and even some “healthier” sweeteners, such as honey, maple syrup, and agave, can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes. Choosing whole foods and checking ingredient labels can help support more stable glucose levels.
- Manage Cravings Strategically: When cravings hit, drink water first and choose a nourishing snack instead of sugary foods. Options such as vegetables, nuts, yogurt, or protein shakes provide steadier energy, help prevent sharp crashes, and reduce dependence on high-sugar foods.
2. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) Supplement
NAC is a form of cysteine, an amino acid the body uses to produce glutathione, a key antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress and supports liver and immune function. Its potential health benefits are linked to its ability to increase glutathione levels in the body.How Does Mindset Affect Hypoglycemia?
When you’re stressed or anxious, your body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol as part of the “fight‑or‑flight” response. These hormones prompt the liver to release stored glucose and can make insulin less effective, which affects how the body regulates blood sugar overall.
These responses were designed for short‑term physical threats. Chronic stress, however, can disrupt normal glucose regulation, leading to unpredictable blood sugar swings.
A positive mindset may help reduce anxiety and chronic stress by buffering the psychological effects of stress. People who experience more frequent positive states of mind tend to show weaker links between perceived stress, anxiety, and poor health outcomes.
High stress can also negatively affect eating habits, sleep quality, and motivation to follow diabetes or dietary plans. These behaviors, in turn, influence blood sugar stability. Managing stress through techniques such as mindfulness practices, regular sleep, and physical activity can support better glycemic control.
In people with diabetes, higher perceived stress has been linked to poorer blood sugar control and more frequent hypoglycemic episodes. Better knowledge and confidence in managing the condition may help reduce stress and improve outcomes.
How Can I Prevent Hypoglycemia?
If you use insulin or other blood-glucose-lowering medications, the following steps may help reduce the risk of low blood glucose.
- Monitor Regularly: Learn to check your blood glucose using a meter or, if needed, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). CGMs track blood sugar continuously, show trends, detect rapid drops, and can send alerts before levels become dangerously low. This is especially useful for people with hypoglycemia unawareness.
- Follow a Consistent Meal Plan: Ensure enough carbohydrates at each meal, carry fast-acting carbohydrates such as glucose tablets, and eat when drinking alcohol. In people using insulin or sulfonylureas, delayed or smaller meals and increased physical activity can cause hypoglycemia, so consistent meal timing and portion size are important. A registered dietitian can help create a personalized meal plan and snack recommendations.
- Eat Small, Frequent Meals: Eating smaller meals throughout the day can help maintain more stable blood glucose levels.
- Limit Alcohol Intake: Drink alcohol in moderation, spread beverages over several days, and avoid drinking on an empty stomach.
- Exercise Safely: Check blood glucose before, during, and after physical activity, and adjust food or medication as needed. Track exercise intensity, duration, and timing, as all can affect your risk of low blood sugar. Aerobic exercise such as walking, cycling, or swimming improves insulin sensitivity and glucose control, but may lower blood sugar during and for several hours afterward. Eating a snack beforehand and monitoring blood glucose can help reduce this risk.
- Manage Stress: Reduce psychological and physical stress when possible, as stress can indirectly affect glucose control.
- Prioritize Sleep: Maintain regular sleep patterns to support overall glucose control.
- Work With Your Health Care Team: Identify medicines that may cause hypoglycaemia and adjust your diabetes management plan accordingly.
In people with Type 2 diabetes, supervised exercise programs improve blood sugar control, reduce the need for medications that raise hypoglycemia risk, and support modest, sustained weight loss.
Safety Precautions
If you are at risk for hypoglycemia, you should also take the following precautions:- Carry Sugar and Snacks: Keep fast-acting carbohydrates with you at all times.
- Wear Medical Identification: Use diabetes identification, such as a medical alert bracelet.
- Monitor Blood Glucose: Keep a glucose meter with you and check your blood glucose levels before driving or operating machinery to ensure it’s within the normal range.
- Check Expiration Dates: Monitor glucagon expiration dates and replace them as needed.
- Educate Others: Teach family members, friends, and colleagues to recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia, use a glucose meter, and how to administer glucagon if necessary.
What Are the Possible Complications of Hypoglycemia?
Although mild to moderate hypoglycemia is usually easy to treat, severe low blood glucose can lead to serious complications, including the following:
- Loss of Consciousness: The brain relies on glucose for energy, and severe drops in blood sugar deprive it of fuel, impairing normal brain function.
- Falls or Accidents: Confusion, dizziness, or fainting can increase the risk of injury.
- Coma: Prolonged or severe hypoglycemia can suppress brain activity to the point of coma, requiring emergency medical care.
- Seizures: Critically low blood glucose can disrupt normal electrical activity in the brain, triggering seizures.
- Impaired Cognition: Recurrent hypoglycemia may affect cognitive function, especially in children. Severe episodes, especially those accompanied by seizures, may subtly impair cognitive performance later in life. Research in older adults with Type 1 diabetes also links a history of severe hypoglycemia to poorer performance in global cognition, language, executive function, and memory, with more frequent episodes showing stronger effects.
- Brain Damage: Extended periods of severe hypoglycemia can cause lasting injury to brain tissue due to prolonged glucose deprivation.
- Death: If not promptly treated, severe hypoglycemia can be fatal.
