Low blood sugar (Hypoglycaemia)
Low blood sugar is known as hypoglycemia, a 'hypo', having a 'low', or 'going low.'
You can go low if you:
- Don't eat enough carbs
- Don't eat enough food, or eat less than usual
- Skip or delay a meal
- Take too much insulin or other diabetes medication
Learn about the Treatment of Severe Low Blood Sugar
You may also develop low blood sugar if you:
- Are more active than usual (spring cleaning your house, moving, digging the garden, running for a cab or dancing at a party)
- Drink alcohol
- Are stressed or become ill
- Get overheated
- Accidently inject your insulin into a muscle (rather than the fatty layer under the skin)
People can vary in how they feel when they are having a hypo, but typical symptoms may include:
- Weakness, tiredness
- Hunger
- Dizziness, shakiness
- Nervous upset, agitation
- Sweating
- High heart rate
- Confusion, irritability
In time, you will learn to recognize when a hypo is coming on. Since diabetes is different for everyone, it is helpful to check with your diabetes care team to discuss what is considered low blood sugar for you.
