Low Blood Glucose and Diabetes Glucose (sugar) is the body’s main source of energy. You get most of the glucose you need from carbohydrates (sugars and starches) that you eat. As you digest your food, glucose is absorbed into the blood and sent to all your cells. Sometimes, the level of glucose in your blood goes too low. This is called hypoglycemia or low blood glucose. It can happen when you don’t manage your diabetes. With low blood glucose, you don’t have enough energy.
What causes low blood glucose?
How you may feel The symptoms of low blood glucose can happen quickly. You and those around you need to know these signs:
People with type-1 diabetes and some people with type-2 diabetes take insulin or other medicines to lower their blood glucose levels.
• feeling nervous, shaky or irritable
But your blood glucose can go too low if you:
• being very hungry
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• take too much insulin or oral medicine
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• miss a meal or don’t eat when you should • don’t eat enough food for the amount of insulin or oral medicine you take
• mood changes
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• drink too much alcohol
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• sweating too much • feeling weak all over • being confused or not thinking clearly
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• exercise without planning ahead
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• dizziness or headache
• rapid heartbeat • cold, clammy feeling • passing out (in severe cases)
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