Does Low Blood Sugar Mean You Have Diabetes
Many people think that there is a link between hypoglycemia and diabetes. There is nothing wrong with this opinion, because some diabetics report that they often experience symptoms of hypoglycemia. Nevertheless, diabetes is not the single answer of health problem to blame.
If you experience hypoglycemia, this doesnt always mean that you definitely develop or have diabetes. Even some healthy people also can experience low blood glucose from time to time.
For instance, if you dont eat all day long or when being very hungry, you may experience some early symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as fatigue, headache, or shakiness.
How do you know if you have low blood sugar?
To make a diagnosis of hypoglycemia, you need to a blood test to find out the level of your glucose in the blood whether or not it is normal! Your doctor may also perform a physical exam. He /she may ask you some questions related with your health or any medications that you are taking.
In general, the tests and diagnosis will follow the rule of Whipples triad that includes:
The Best Diet For Non
Hypoglycemia is a condition that happens when your blood glucose levels are too low. Although usually associated with having diabetes, non-diabetic hypoglycemia can also occur. If you have symptoms of hypoglycemia, it is useful to monitor your blood glucose levels, especially around mealtimes and while you are sleeping. However, this can be tricky if you don’t want to do an invasive finger prick test every time you eat a meal or in the middle of the night when you should be sleeping.
Continuous glucose monitoring offers a less invasive solution that is quick and accurate. You can wear the discreet sensor from a continuous glucose monitor on the back of your arm. The sensor is easily scanned with your phone to quickly and effectively read and store glucose results. You can use these results to alter your diet and lifestyle to lower your glucose levels.
Do you want to know more about the right types of things to eat for hypoglycemia? This article will explore different types of hypoglycemia, how you can change your diet to manage the symptoms, and the advantages of glucose monitoring.
Can a non-diabetic have low blood sugar?
The simple answer to this question is yes. Low blood glucose can occur in people without diabetes too. There are two types of non-diabetic hypoglycemia:
How do you define hypoglycemia?
- Hunger
- Headaches
- Inability to concentrate
Who is at risk of non-diabetic hypoglycemia?
What is the treatment for non-diabetic hypoglycemia?
What is the hypoglycemic diet?
What Are The Complications Of Low Blood Glucose
Mild-to-moderate low blood glucose can be easily treated. But severely low blood glucose can cause serious complications, including passing out, coma, or death.
Repeated episodes of low blood glucose can lead to
- high blood glucose levels, if worry or fear of low blood glucose keeps you from taking the medicines you need to manage your diabetes8
- hypoglycemia unawareness, a condition in which you dont notice any symptoms of low blood glucose until your blood glucose level has dropped very low
Don’t Miss: How Long Do People With Diabetes Live
Overdose Of Diabetes Medication
A common cause of hypoglycaemia is taking too much insulin for your current needs. Insulin is a medication that helps control your blood glucose levels. Itâs commonly used to treat;type 1 diabetes;and is also recommended for some;people with;type 2 diabetes.
A fall in blood;glucose levels can also occur after taking too much oral hypoglycaemia medication, such as sulphonylurea, which causes a release of insulin. This medication is often used;to lower blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
What If Im Experiencing Hypoglycemic Episodes Even Though My Doctor Has Confirmed That Im Not Diabetic Or Prediabetic
If you have low blood sugar and dont have diabetes or prediabetes, it can be a sign of another serious health issue such as a tumor, hormone deficiency, kidney disorder, anorexia, or other eating disorder, all of which can cause dangerously low blood sugar.
Anorexia has the highest mortality of any psychiatric disorder, and the cause of death can be hypoglycemia, so take your illness seriously and seek help if you suspect your eating disorder may be progressing to the point where it is causing you to faint or experience other signs and symptoms of dangerously low blood sugar. The National Eating Disorders Association has resources on how to identify the signs that you may have an eating disorder, a hotline for help, as well as easily accessible information on everything from how to know when you need help to how to find quality treatment options in your zip code.
People who are not diabetic don’t spontaneously have hypoglycemia for no reason, explains Dr. Christofides. Its often an indication of another underlying issue, such as a hormone deficiency or eating disorder, so its important to schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine the cause in order to prevent complications.
Common causes of hypoglycemia;in people without diabetes include:
- Pancreatic tumor
- Medication that inhibits the proper production of insulin
- Hepatitis or kidney disorders
- Hormone deficiencies
- Anorexia and other eating disorders
Also Check: Why Does My Blood Sugar Go Up At Night
What Are Symptoms Of Hypoglycemia
Throughout any given day, a healthy persons blood sugar fluctuates slightly depending on when their last period of;exercise or last meal was.
Hypoglycemia is a more severe drop in blood glucose. Medically, hypoglycemia is defined as a drop in blood sugar below 70 mg/dL. When your;blood sugars levels;drop this far, you will likely experience symptoms even if you have low blood sugar without diabetes.
Each individual may experience symptoms of low blood glucose quite differently from the next. It is not a bad idea to keep a journal if youre having symptoms on a regular basis. If you have diabetes, a recommendation would be to list your symptoms next to results in your blood glucose log, in the comment section.;
;If blood glucose levels fall too low, you will need to take action to correct them. If blood sugars drop below 40 mg/dL, another individual will have to intervene to provide treatment.;
Symptoms can be mild, which is more common. If a blood sugar remains low, or continues to drop, the brain is being starved of glucose. Insufficient energy to the brain can result in seizures or coma, or very rarely, death. ;
A Low Blood Sugar Level And Driving
You may still be allowed to drive if you have diabetes or you’re at risk of a low blood sugar level for another reason, but you’ll need to do things to reduce the chance of this happening while you’re driving.
You also need to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and your car insurance company about your condition.
For more information, see:
Read Also: What Is The Best Sugar Substitute For Diabetics
Low Blood Glucose During Sleep
Your blood glucose level can drop while you sleep and stay low for several hours, causing serious problems.7 Symptoms of low blood glucose while you sleep can include
- crying out or having nightmares
- sweating enough to make your pajamas or sheets damp
- feeling tired, irritable, or confused after waking up
Although you may not wake up or notice any symptoms, low blood glucose can interfere with your sleep, which may affect your quality of life, mood, and ability to work. Having low blood glucose during sleep can also make you less likely to notice and respond to symptoms of low blood glucose during the day.
What Complications Can Be Caused By Hypoglycemia
Passing out from low blood sugar because you have not recognized the early signs and symptoms is called hypoglycemia unawareness, and can be quite dangerous depending on where you are, explains Dr. Klonoff. As doctors are required to report such incidents to the Department of Motor Vehicles, it can also mean a suspended drivers license.
If this is something youre worried about, Wearing a continuous glucose monitor with an alarm for hypoglycemia can alert a person who is prone to developing low blood sugar levels that their blood glucose concentration is becoming dangerously low, so appropriate preventive action can be taken before they lose consciousness, explains Dr. Klonoff.
Also Check: How Many People Have Diabetes In The Us
How To Help Others Help You
Knowing the signs of low blood sugar, having an action plan, and being prepared with your glucose meter and glucose tablets are vital, but sometimes you might need to rely on other people to help when youre blood sugar drops too low. Take these additional steps so youre prepared and they are, too:
Teach your loved ones.;If youre unable to help yourself, friends, family, or colleagues may need to treat you with an injection of glucagon, a hormone that tells your liver to release stored glucose, the American Diabetes Association says. For this reason, its a good idea to teach those close to you what to do. If they dont know how to give you the injection or if glucagon isnt available, they must call 911 and get you the help you need, Evans says. Low blood sugar thats sustained for a prolonged time can lead to irreversible brain damage, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Wear an ID bracelet.;Evan suggests that everyone with;diabetes;should get a tattoo or wear a medical ID bracelet. The bracelet should say diabetes and whether youre on;insulin;or take other medications, the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston recommends.
Talk to your doctor about your low blood sugar risk.;If you have frequent bouts of hypoglycemia, be sure to talk with your doctor. The solution may be as simple as changing how much or the kind of diabetes medicine you take. However,;never make any changes to your medication regimen;without your doctors approval.
Have Small And Frequent Meals
“The best rule of thumb is to really limit simple sugars in the diet,” says Palinski-Wade, “but if you are going to have them, have them in small amounts and combine them with foods that slow digestion something like fiber or fat or protein.”
For example, instead of eating three large meals, split your food intake into five to six smaller meals. This will prevent your blood sugars from dipping too low in the hours after a meal, thereby warding off a hypoglycemic episode, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Just don’t overdo it on the calories. For example, if your lunch usually is a sandwich, an apple and a yogurt, divide your meal into two parts. Have the sandwich first, then eat the apple and yogurt a few hours later.
Read more:How to Eat 6 Times a Day and Lose Weight
Read Also: What Can You Eat To Lower Your Blood Sugar
Can You Have Diabetes Without Symptoms
A small blister or cut from wearing regular shoes can lead to worst problems and may require amputation. Diabetes patients can have nerve damage and become unaware of injury because they dont feel any pain when they step on things such as.
Hidden diabetes: the symptoms you might miss Britain is facing a diabetes timebomb after millions miss vital checks during lockdown. Heres how to spot the signs.
If blood sugar levels are dropping too low, some models of CGM will alert you with an alarm. Some insulin pumps are now integrated with CGMs and can shut off insulin delivery when blood sugar levels are dropping too quickly to help prevent hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia needs immediate treatment when blood sugar levels are low. For many people, a fasting blood sugar of 70 milligrams per deciliter , or 3.9 millimoles per liter , or below should serve as an alert for hypoglycemia. But your numbers might be different. Ask your doctor. Be sure to always have a fast-acting carbohydrate with you, such as juice or glucose tablets so that you can treat a falling blood sugar level before it dips dangerously low. Hypoglycemia is a condition in which your blood sugar level is lower than normal. Glucose is your bodys main energy source.
Diabetes mellitus, also commonly known as diabetes, is a health condition that develops when your body becomes unable to process sugar normally. It leads to higher-than-normal blood glucose levels, meaning that glucose, which is a type of s.
How Is Hypoglycemia Diagnosed
Hypoglycemia can occur in a fasting state, meaning youve gone for an extended period without eating. Your doctor may ask you to take a fasting test. This test can last as long as 72 hours. During the test, youll have your blood drawn at different times to measure your blood glucose level.
Another test is a mixed-meal tolerance test. This test is for people experiencing hypoglycemia after eating.
Both tests will involve a blood draw at your doctors office. The results are usually available within a day or two. If your blood sugar level is lower than 50 to 70 milligrams per deciliter, you may have hypoglycemia. That number can vary from one person to another. Some peoples bodies naturally have lower blood sugar levels. Your doctor will diagnose you based on your blood sugar levels.
Keep track of your symptoms and let your doctor know what symptoms youre experiencing. One way to do this is to keep a symptom diary. Your diary should include any symptoms youre experiencing, what youve eaten, and how long before or after a meal your symptoms occurred. This information will help your doctor make a diagnosis.
Don’t Miss: What Is Blood Sugar Level Supposed To Be
What Else Can You Do To Control Blood Sugar Levels
Yes. People with diabetes should wear identification stating they have diabetes and whether they have recurrent low blood sugar. Those at risk for the health condition should be counseled on checking blood sugars before they drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or do anything physically taxing. In addition, it is important to carry a quick-acting glucose source at all times, and keep a source in their car, office, and by their bedside. Efforts should be made to minimize the hypoglycemic effects of drug regimens and to avoid variable surges in exercise, activity, and drinking alcohol.
What Should Be The Diet For A Person With Nondiabetic Hypoglycemia
If you suffer from episodes of hypoglycemia without even having diabetes, you will need to carry a pack of sugar candies or biscuits wherever you go. Ask your doctor or dietician about what your diet should be, which can help you prevent hypoglycemic episodes. The following may help you avoid episodes of hypoglycemia:
- Eat frequent, small meals each day instead of three large meals
- Do not skip meals
- Cut back on refined carbohydrates
- Have a well-balanced diet that is rich in proteins, contains carbohydrates, fat , fruits, and vegetables
- Limit alcohol or drink it along with meals or after meals
Read Also: How To Lower Risk Of Diabetes
How To Treat A Low Blood Sugar Level Yourself
Follow these steps if your blood sugar level is less than 4mmol/L or you have hypo symptoms:
You do not usually need to get medical help once you’re feeling better if you only have a few hypos.
But tell your diabetes team if you keep having hypos or if you stop having symptoms when your blood sugar level is low.
Warning Signs Of Low Blood Sugar
Hypoglycemia can cause both short- and long-term complications. Know the signs so that you can treat the condition as soon as you’re aware of it.
As a person living with diabetes, you know how important it is to reduce blood sugar when it is too high, a phenomenon called hyperglycemia. But blood sugar that is too low, or hypoglycemia, is equally critical to avoid.
“Hypoglycemia happens when the amount of blood glucose drops to a level that’s too low to sustain normal functioning,” says;Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, who is based in Sparta, New Jersey. “In most people, this is defined as a blood sugar level at or below 70 milligrams per deciliter .”
Hypoglycemia is common among people with type 2 diabetes, according to a review published in June 2015 in the journal PLoS One. Individuals with the condition had an average of 19 mild or moderate episodes of hypoglycemia per year and nearly one severe episode per year on average, according to the researchers. Low blood sugar was particularly common among those taking insulin.
RELATED: What to Know Before You Use OTC Insulin
This decrease in blood sugar levels can cause both short-term;complications, like confusion and dizziness, as well as more serious issues, including seizures, coma, and, rarely, death, according to the American Diabetes Association .
Hypoglycemia is usually the result of a too-high dose of insulin or a change in diet or exercise habits, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
Read Also: What Happens If You Have Low Blood Sugar