10 Low Blood Sugar Symptoms You Should Know About

Many people know about the symptoms of high blood sugar (also known as hyperglycemia). However, it’s not as common knowledge that there are also low blood sugar symptoms (or hypoglycemia). Low blood sugar can be just as dangerous if not treated quickly, so you should make sure you’re aware of all the signs and know how to treat your hypoglycemia. 

1) Fatigue

If you’re feeling unusually tired, consider checking your blood sugar. Hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar, can make you feel a lack of energy and mental alertness.

 It’s also one of those dangerous conditions that people often dismiss as being nothing to worry about. But, if left untreated, hypoglycemia can become a more serious problem and even lead to blackouts or worse yet, death.

2) Sweating

If you’re sweating more than usual, it could be a sign of low blood sugar. While sweating during exercise isn’t uncommon, and your body will produce extra sweat when its temperature rises, excessive sweating that isn’t related to exertion can also be caused by low blood sugar levels. 

If you feel like you’re breaking a sweat without being active, ask yourself: Am I feeling dizzy or lightheaded? Am I unusually hungry or thirsty? Is my heart pounding in my chest? If so, your nerves may be sending stress signals throughout your body in response to low blood sugar levels.

3) Anxiousness

If you’re used to seeing blood sugar levels stay within a certain range, your body can get thrown off track if they drop too much.

•  An anxiety attack might be an early sign that your blood sugar is dipping too low. If you find yourself experiencing frequent anxiousness, pay attention to what foods make it worse and when it tends to happen.
•  Perhaps something as simple as eating less before bedtime can help reduce some of your symptoms. And if you do suffer from anxiety, don’t be afraid to see a doctor about possible side effects caused by hypoglycemia.

4) Hiccups

If you’re dealing with low blood sugar and feeling a little shaky, one of your first signs of trouble could be hiccups. Hiccups are pretty common in healthy adults—most of us get them from time to time—but they can be a sign that something’s not right with your body.

•  Usually, hiccups happen when we breathe in too quickly and swallow dry air, which results in a brief pause between breathing that causes us to involuntarily gasp for breath. 
• When you have low blood sugar, hiccups can be particularly pronounced because insulin is responsible for moving glucose into cells where it can do its job. If you have low blood sugar, your cells won’t get glucose, and then...hiccup!

5) Irritability

If you’re prone to mood swings when your blood sugar is low, pay attention to how you feel. Does being hungry make you cranky? If so, it might be a sign that your blood sugar is too low and that you need something to eat (but avoid unhealthy snacks). 

Be aware of foods that trigger irritability in general, as they may have a similar effect on your mood when they affect your blood sugar.

6) Mood Swings

If you find yourself becoming aggressive, irritable, or moody, your blood sugar levels could be dropping. 

It’s also important to pay attention to your body language and posture; if you find yourself slouching or hunching over while at work, your body may be trying to tell you something.

 Keep in mind that sudden mood swings can have many underlying causes (depression, stress, etc.), so it’s always a good idea to talk with a doctor if you suspect something is wrong. If low blood sugar is causing these symptoms for you, taking quick action by eating or drinking a small snack will help stabilize your blood sugar and reverse these effects quickly.

7) Hunger Pangs

This is often a signal of low blood sugar. When your blood sugar levels drop too quickly, whether it’s from fasting or if you’re eating a low-carb diet, your body can interpret it as starvation and go into starvation mode which slows your metabolism to preserve energy stores. 

As insulin levels drop, fats are released from your fat cells (you know, to make room for all that sugar!). The problem with these fatty acids is that they can lead to feelings of extreme hunger and cause large spikes in blood sugar when they are metabolized.

8) Bad Breath

Bad breath can be due to a host of reasons and you should start examining what you’ve been eating recently. Salty snacks,  leave you with the smell in your mouth. 

• Also, if blood sugar levels are low and you haven’t eaten for several hours, food may not be properly digested—and bacteria within your mouth feed on remnants of undigested food. The result? Bad breath is mostly due to hydrogen sulfide, which comes from sulfur in foods like garlic and onions.
•  To avoid bad breath at all times (not just when your blood sugar is low), floss regularly (to get rid of leftover particles that food couldn’t reach) and brush your teeth twice a day (for similar reasons).

9) Depression

Many of us have experienced a low blood sugar crash at some point. Even if you don't have diabetes, you probably know that feeling when your blood sugar dips and you feel anxious or irritable.

•  But while most of us can quickly correct our blood sugar levels with food or a healthy snack, people with diabetes may experience symptoms that are more serious than just hunger pangs.
•  If your blood sugar is extremely low (which typically happens after an extended period without eating), you may become disoriented or confused, and rience panic attacks or bouts of depression, vomiting, and blurred vision. long long-term blood sugar can damage organs like your eyes and kidneys; it can also cause nerve damage which leads to numbness in the hands and feet.

10) Anxiety

When your blood sugar drops, adrenaline is released. Some people experience a physical manifestation of their anxiety in their stomach and experience nausea, sweating, or other symptoms. 

• If you have been experiencing nausea for a long time and suspect it might be related to low blood sugar, test your blood sugar level with a meter.
•  This will help you make sure intact sugar and not stress-induced anxiety that's causing your discomfort.
•  If it is low blood sugar, you should eat something sugary or drink fruit juice or a soda to bring your levels back up; however if your levels are indeed high and you feel anxious after eating a carb-heavy meal, consult with a doctor to rule out any potential underlying health conditions.