Glucagon is a hormone produced in the pancreas that stimulates your liver to release stored glucose into your bloodstream when your blood glucose levels are too low. Glucagon is used to treat someone with diabetes when their blood glucose is too low to treat using the rule. Glucagon is available by prescription and is either injected or administered or puffed into the nostril.

For those who are familiar with injectable glucagon, there are now two injectable glucagon products on the market—one that comes in a kit and one that is pre-mixed and ready to use. Speak with your doctor about whether you should buy a glucagon product, and how and when to use it. The people you are in frequent contact with for example, friends, family members, and coworkers should be instructed on how to give you glucagon to treat severe hypoglycemia.

If you have needed glucagon, let your doctor know so you can discuss ways to prevent severe hypoglycemia in the future. If someone is unconscious and glucagon is not available or someone does not know how to use it, call immediately. Low blood glucose is common for people with type 1 diabetes and can occur in people with type 2 diabetes taking insulin or certain medications.

If you add in lows without symptoms and the ones that happen overnight, the number would likely be higher. Too much insulin is a definite cause of low blood glucose. Insulin pumps may also reduce the risk for low blood glucose. Accidentally injecting the wrong insulin type, too much insulin, or injecting directly into the muscle instead of just under the skin , can cause low blood glucose.

Exercise has many benefits. The tricky thing for people with type 1 diabetes is that it can lower blood glucose in both the short and long-term. Nearly half of children in a type 1 diabetes study who exercised an hour during the day experienced a low blood glucose reaction overnight.

The intensity, duration, and timing of exercise can all affect the risk for going low. Many people with diabetes, particularly those who use insulin, should have a medical ID with them at all times.

In the event of a severe hypoglycemic episode, a car accident or other emergency, the medical ID can provide critical information about the person's health status, such as the fact that they have diabetes, whether or not they use insulin, whether they have any allergies, etc.

Emergency medical personnel are trained to look for a medical ID when they are caring for someone who can't speak for themselves. Medical IDs are usually worn as a bracelet or a necklace. Traditional IDs are etched with basic, key health information about the person, and some IDs now include compact USB drives that can carry a person's full medical record for use in an emergency.

As unpleasant as they may be, the symptoms of low blood glucose are useful. These symptoms tell you that you your blood glucose is low and you need to take action to bring it back into a safe range.

But, many people have blood glucose readings below this level and feel no symptoms. This is called hypoglycemia unawareness. Hypoglycemia unawareness puts the person at increased risk for severe low blood glucose reactions when they need someone to help them recover.

People with hypoglycemia unawareness are also less likely to be awakened from sleep when hypoglycemia occurs at night. People with hypoglycemia unawareness need to take extra care to check blood glucose frequently. This is especially important prior to and during critical tasks such as driving. A continuous glucose monitor CGM can sound an alarm when blood glucose levels are low or start to fall.

This can be a big help for people with hypoglycemia unawareness. If you think you have hypoglycemia unawareness, speak with your health care provider. Hot and humid weather. Unexpected changes in your schedule.

Spending time at a high altitude. Going through puberty. Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar How you react to low blood sugar may not be the same as how someone else with low blood sugar reacts.

Common symptoms may include: Fast heartbeat Shaking Sweating Nervousness or anxiety Irritability or confusion Dizziness Hunger. Hypoglycemia Unawareness. This is more likely to happen if you: Have had diabetes for more than years. Frequently have low blood sugar.

Take certain medicines, such as beta blockers for high blood pressure. Types of Low Blood Sugar Nighttime low blood sugar While low blood sugar can happen at any time during the day, some people may experience low blood sugar while they sleep.

Reasons this may happen include: Having an active day. Being physically active close to bedtime. Taking too much insulin. Drinking alcohol at night. Severe low blood sugar As your low blood sugar gets worse, you may experience more serious symptoms, including: Feeling weak.

Having difficulty walking or seeing clearly. Acting strange or feeling confused. Having seizures. Manage Blood Sugar Monitoring Your Blood Sugar How To Treat Low Blood Sugar.

Last Reviewed: December 30, Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Your body produces two hormones, glucagon and epinephrine, that help keep your blood sugar at normal levels.

During sleep, glucagon production decreases. Added to this, type 1 diabetes tends to disrupt glucagon production and glucagon decreases with every episode as well. Symptoms of nocturnal hypoglycemia include:. To help prevent nocturnal hypoglycemic episodes, try eating a bedtime snack that's high in complex carbohydrates such as granola, oatmeal, or dried fruit.

Keep your eating plan, exercise routine, and medication consistent in the afternoon and evening as well. Also, be careful not to overdose on your insulin in the evening, which can lead to hypoglycemia. If you notice symptoms of nocturnal hypoglycemia, talk to your healthcare provider.

Untreated, it can lead to life-threatening symptoms such as neurological consequences, like seizures and brain damage. When you have diabetes and you have repeated episodes of hypoglycemia, your brain can become less able to recognize that you're hypoglycemic because your body stops showing symptoms.

This is known as hypoglycemic unawareness and it often happens at night while you're sleeping. It's more common in type 1 diabetes than in type 2. Your blood sugar levels can become dangerously low if this continues, leading to a coma or even death.

If you have chronic episodes of hypoglycemia, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider right away so you can get it under control. Hypoglycemia has numerous causes, which are different depending on whether you have type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or don't have diabetes.

Hypoglycemia is common in type 1 diabetes. It usually happens when you take more insulin than your body needs to process your food, but other things can cause it, too, including:.

Because you can't control some of those factors, it's especially important to pay attention to the ones you can control. Hypoglycemia is less common in type 2 diabetes than in type 1.

It's often caused by:. Note that newer insulins and diabetes medications are less likely to result in hypoglycemia. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia can be caused by many things, including:. Hypoglycemia is diagnosed with a blood sugar level test. If you don't have diabetes, your healthcare provider will diagnose hypoglycemia with a blood test.

You will have to fast overnight before the test. Some tests require you to do a longer fast in a hospital setting. You can test your blood sugar at home with a glucose meter. To test your blood, wash your hands and insert a test strip into your meter. Using the needle included with the test kit, prick the end of a fingertip.

Place the blood droplet on the test strip. The meter will read the blood sugar level from the test strip and display it on a screen. If hypoglycemia remains untreated, it can lead to any of the severe symptoms mentioned above, such as seizures, unconsciousness, and, eventually, death.

This is why it's critical to treat low blood sugar immediately, no matter the cause. Hypoglycemia can also be a contributing factor in:. Because hypoglycemia isn't a disease but an indication of another problem, it's extremely important that you and your healthcare provider figure out the cause.

This is especially true if you don't have diabetes or have diabetes with repeated hypoglycemia episodes. Hypoglycemia can usually be treated at home by eating a small snack containing 15 carbohydrates. You can also take glucose tablets instead of eating a snack. If your hypoglycemia is severe, you may need a glucagon injection.

If you have diabetes, you should always keep a glucagon kit on hand in case your blood sugar becomes dangerously low. The glucagon should be injected into an arm, thigh, or buttocks.

Glucagon is also available as a dry nasal spray, which is administered into a nostril. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to loss of consciousness. If this happens, someone else will need to administer the glucagon injection. Make sure your friends and family members know where you keep your glucagon kit and that they understand how to administer the injection if you lose consciousness.

You can prevent low blood sugar by monitoring your blood sugar as recommended by your healthcare provider and making sure you have 15g carbohydrate snacks on hand if your blood sugar begins to trend low. Make sure you are eating on a regular schedule and that you are eating consistent amounts.

Don't skip meals or snacks and be sure to take your medication as directed. Avoid alcohol or drink in moderation and only with a meal or snack. If you are more physically active than usual, you may need to add snacks or adjust your medication. It is especially important to continue monitoring your glucose on days when you are more active than usual.

If you have hypoglycemia often, it's a good idea to keep records of what you eat and how much exercise you've been getting. This can help you spot patterns so you can avoid becoming hypoglycemic in the future. When to get medical help for hypoglycemia depends on whether you have diabetes.

If you don't have diabetes and you have symptoms of hypoglycemia, you should see your healthcare provider right away, even if you're able to get your symptoms to subside. Being hypoglycemic means something else is going on and you need to find out what that is.

Then, you can get treatment before your hypoglycemia becomes life-threatening.

But your health care provider, certified diabetes care and education specialist, and registered dietitian can work with you to try to prevent low blood sugar levels.

If you ignore the symptoms of hypoglycemia too long, you may lose consciousness. That's because your brain needs glucose to function. Recognize the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia early, because if untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to:.

Take your early symptoms seriously. Diabetic hypoglycemia can increase the risk of serious — even deadly — accidents. On this page. When to see a doctor. Risk factors. A Book: The Essential Diabetes Book. Early warning signs and symptoms Initial signs and symptoms of diabetic hypoglycemia include: Looking pale pallor Shakiness Dizziness or lightheadedness Sweating Hunger or nausea An irregular or fast heartbeat Difficulty concentrating Feeling weak and having no energy fatigue Irritability or anxiety Headache Tingling or numbness of the lips, tongue or cheek.

Nighttime signs and symptoms If diabetic hypoglycemia occurs when you're sleeping, signs and symptoms that may disturb your sleep include: Damp sheets or nightclothes due to perspiration Nightmares Tiredness, irritability or confusion upon waking.

Severe signs and symptoms If diabetic hypoglycemia isn't treated, signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia worsen and can include: Confusion, unusual behavior or both, such as the inability to complete routine tasks Loss of coordination Difficulty speaking or slurred speech Blurry or tunnel vision Inability to eat or drink Muscle weakness Drowsiness Severe hypoglycemia may cause: Convulsions or seizures Unconsciousness Death, rarely Symptoms can differ from person to person or from episode to episode.

If you're with someone who is not responding loses consciousness or can't swallow due to low blood sugar: Don't inject insulin, as this will cause blood sugar levels to drop even further Don't give fluids or food, because these could cause choking Give glucagon by injection or a nasal spray Call or emergency services in your area for immediate treatment if glucagon isn't on hand, you don't know how to use it, or the person isn't responding If you have symptoms of hypoglycemia several times a week or more, see your health care provider.

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Common causes of diabetic hypoglycemia include: Taking too much insulin or diabetes medication Not eating enough Postponing or skipping a meal or snack Increasing exercise or physical activity without eating more or adjusting your medications Drinking alcohol.

Blood sugar regulation Most of the body's glucose comes from food. Some people have a greater risk of diabetic hypoglycemia, including: People using insulin People taking diabetes drugs called sulfonylureas, such as glipizide Glucotrol , glimepiride Amaryl or glyburide Diabeta, Glynase Young children and older adults Those with impaired liver or kidney function People who've had diabetes for a long time People who don't feel low blood sugar symptoms hypoglycemia unawareness Those taking multiple medications Anyone with a disability that prevents a quick response to falling blood sugar levels People who drink alcohol.

Recognize the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia early, because if untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to: Seizures Loss of consciousness Death Take your early symptoms seriously.

To help prevent diabetic hypoglycemia: Monitor your blood sugar. Depending on your treatment plan, you may check and record your blood sugar level several times a week or multiple times a day.

Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level remains within your target range. Don't skip or delay meals or snacks. If you take insulin or oral diabetes medication, be consistent about the amount you eat and the timing of your meals and snacks.

Measure medication carefully and take it on time. Take your medication as recommended by your health care provider. Adjust your medication or eat additional snacks if you increase your physical activity.

The adjustment depends on the blood sugar test results, the type and length of the activity, and what medications you take.

Follow your diabetes treatment plan when making adjustments. Eat a meal or snack with alcohol, if you choose to drink. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can cause hypoglycemia. Alcohol may also cause delayed hypoglycemia hours later, making blood sugar monitoring even more important.

Record your low glucose reactions. This can help you and your health care team identify patterns contributing to hypoglycemia and find ways to prevent them. Carry some form of diabetes identification so that in an emergency others will know that you have diabetes. Use a medical identification necklace or bracelet and wallet card.

By Mayo Clinic Staff. May 06, Show References. American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes — Diabetes Care. Low blood glucose hypoglycemia. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Accessed Feb. Melmed S, et al. In: Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. Elsevier; Hypoglycemia low blood sugar. Accessed Jan. Mahoney GK, et al. Severe hypoglycemia attributable to intensive glucose-lowering therapy among US adults with diabetes: Population-based modeling study, Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Cryer PE, et al. Hypoglycemia in adults with diabetes mellitus. gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Blood glucose , or blood sugar, is the main sugar found in your blood.

It is your body's primary source of energy. It comes from the food you eat. Your body breaks down most of that food into glucose and releases it into your bloodstream.

When your blood glucose goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells to be used for energy. For people with diabetes , your body doesn't make enough insulin, can't use it as well as it should, or both.

Too much glucose stays in your blood and doesn't reach your cells. Hypoglycemia means low glucose. It happens when the level of glucose in your blood drops below what is healthy for you:.

Hypoglycemia is common in people who have diabetes type 1 or who have diabetes type 2 and take insulin or other diabetes medicines. It can happen:.

Although it's rare, you can still get low blood glucose without having diabetes. The causes can include conditions such as liver disease , kidney disease , and hormone deficiencies lack of certain hormones.

It can also happen in people who have had certain types of weight loss surgery. Some medicines, such as certain heart medicines and antibiotics , can also cause it.

See your health care provider to find out the cause of your low blood glucose and how to treat it. The symptoms of low blood glucose tend to come on quickly. The symptoms can be different for everyone, but they may include:.

If you have diabetes, you'll most likely need to check your blood glucose every day and make sure that it's not too low.

You can do this with a blood glucose meter or continuous glucose monitoring CGM system. There are also blood tests that providers can use to check if your blood glucose is too low. If you don't have diabetes and you have hypoglycemia, your provider will likely order other tests to try to figure out the cause.

If you have mild or moderate hypoglycemia, eating or drinking something with carbohydrates can help. But severe hypoglycemia can cause serious complications, including passing out, coma, or even death.

Severe hypoglycemia can be treated with glucagon, a hormone that raises blood glucose levels. It can be given as nasal spray or injection. If you have diabetes, your provider can prescribe you a glucagon kit for use in case of an emergency. If you don't have diabetes and you keep having low blood glucose, the treatment will depend on what is causing it to happen.

If you have diabetes and you take insulin or other medicines that lower blood glucose, you can help prevent hypoglycemia if you:. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

Hypoglycemia Also called: Low blood sugar. On this page Basics Summary Start Here Diagnosis and Tests. Learn More Specifics Genetics. See, Play and Learn No links available. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. Resources Find an Expert. For You Children Teenagers Patient Handouts.

What is blood glucose?

They can suggest ways to avoid low blood glucose in the future. Many people tend to want to eat as much as they can until they feel better.

This can cause blood glucose levels to shoot way up. Using the step-wise approach of the " Rule" can help you avoid this, preventing high blood glucose levels. Glucagon is a hormone produced in the pancreas that stimulates your liver to release stored glucose into your bloodstream when your blood glucose levels are too low.

Glucagon is used to treat someone with diabetes when their blood glucose is too low to treat using the rule. Glucagon is available by prescription and is either injected or administered or puffed into the nostril.

For those who are familiar with injectable glucagon, there are now two injectable glucagon products on the market—one that comes in a kit and one that is pre-mixed and ready to use. Speak with your doctor about whether you should buy a glucagon product, and how and when to use it.

The people you are in frequent contact with for example, friends, family members, and coworkers should be instructed on how to give you glucagon to treat severe hypoglycemia. If you have needed glucagon, let your doctor know so you can discuss ways to prevent severe hypoglycemia in the future.

If someone is unconscious and glucagon is not available or someone does not know how to use it, call immediately. Low blood glucose is common for people with type 1 diabetes and can occur in people with type 2 diabetes taking insulin or certain medications. If you add in lows without symptoms and the ones that happen overnight, the number would likely be higher.

Too much insulin is a definite cause of low blood glucose. Insulin pumps may also reduce the risk for low blood glucose. Accidentally injecting the wrong insulin type, too much insulin, or injecting directly into the muscle instead of just under the skin , can cause low blood glucose.

Exercise has many benefits. The tricky thing for people with type 1 diabetes is that it can lower blood glucose in both the short and long-term. Nearly half of children in a type 1 diabetes study who exercised an hour during the day experienced a low blood glucose reaction overnight.

The intensity, duration, and timing of exercise can all affect the risk for going low. Many people with diabetes, particularly those who use insulin, should have a medical ID with them at all times.

In the event of a severe hypoglycemic episode, a car accident or other emergency, the medical ID can provide critical information about the person's health status, such as the fact that they have diabetes, whether or not they use insulin, whether they have any allergies, etc.

Emergency medical personnel are trained to look for a medical ID when they are caring for someone who can't speak for themselves. Medical IDs are usually worn as a bracelet or a necklace.

Traditional IDs are etched with basic, key health information about the person, and some IDs now include compact USB drives that can carry a person's full medical record for use in an emergency.

As unpleasant as they may be, the symptoms of low blood glucose are useful. These symptoms tell you that you your blood glucose is low and you need to take action to bring it back into a safe range. But, many people have blood glucose readings below this level and feel no symptoms.

This is called hypoglycemia unawareness. Hypoglycemia unawareness puts the person at increased risk for severe low blood glucose reactions when they need someone to help them recover.

People with hypoglycemia unawareness are also less likely to be awakened from sleep when hypoglycemia occurs at night. People with hypoglycemia unawareness need to take extra care to check blood glucose frequently. This is especially important prior to and during critical tasks such as driving.

A continuous glucose monitor CGM can sound an alarm when blood glucose levels are low or start to fall. This can be a big help for people with hypoglycemia unawareness.

If you think you have hypoglycemia unawareness, speak with your health care provider. This helps your body re-learn how to react to low blood glucose levels.

This may mean increasing your target blood glucose level a new target that needs to be worked out with your diabetes care team. It may even result in a higher A1C level, but regaining the ability to feel symptoms of lows is worth the temporary rise in blood glucose levels.

This can happen when your blood glucose levels are very high and start to go down quickly. If this is happening, discuss treatment with your diabetes care team. Your best bet is to practice good diabetes management and learn to detect hypoglycemia so you can treat it early—before it gets worse.

Monitoring blood glucose, with either a meter or a CGM, is the tried and true method for preventing hypoglycemia. Studies consistently show that the more a person checks blood glucose, the lower his or her risk of hypoglycemia.

This is because you can see when blood glucose levels are dropping and can treat it before it gets too low. Together, you can review all your data to figure out the cause of the lows. The more information you can give your health care provider, the better they can work with you to understand what's causing the lows.

Your provider may be able to help prevent low blood glucose by adjusting the timing of insulin dosing, exercise, and meals or snacks. Hypoglycemia, otherwise known as low blood sugar levels, is when the concentration of sugar in the blood goes below the normal range.

Mild-to-moderate symptoms of hypoglycemia include :. In more severe cases, a person may have seizures, become unconscious, or be unable to eat or drink. Some people experience several symptoms at once when blood sugar levels drop, whereas others only experience one or two.

The NIDDK note that on a short-term basis, a person may experience low blood sugar if they have increased their physical activity levels beyond their usual routine, skipped a meal, consumed alcohol without food, or vomited.

In most cases , blood sugar levels drop too low because of treatment for diabetes — for example, if a person has taken too much insulin. Sometimes, the body naturally produces too much insulin, which can also lead to blood sugar levels dropping. Medications for other conditions may also lower blood sugar levels as a side effect.

Alternatively, low blood sugar can occur due to liver conditions, such as hepatitis , or kidney problems. If a person does not address low blood sugar, and the effects become more extreme, the condition can lead to several short- and long-term effects.

In severe cases of low blood sugar, short-term complications can include :. For example, an older study found that participants with low blood sugar due to type 2 diabetes had an increased risk of developing heart-related conditions and problems in the blood vessels.

In severe cases, nerve cells can die from the lack of glucose supply. If there is damage to the nerves controlling the internal organs, the body can enter autonomic neuropathy.

A person with this condition loses the ability to detect low blood sugar levels, and they may not experience symptoms. They might not know that they have low blood sugar, preventing early intervention.

This increases the risk of a person developing severe hypoglycemia. Extremely high or low levels of blood sugar can cause a condition called gastroparesis.

Low blood sugar levels affect the signaling of the vagus nerve, which normally stimulates the stomach to empty. Gastroparesis causes problems with the digestive system because it can cause food to spend too much time in the stomach before entering the small intestine.

Short-term symptoms of the condition include stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Severely low blood sugar can also affect the endocrine and circulatory systems by damaging nerves that relay important information.

Effects on the endocrine system largely come from the neuroendocrine network, which controls how the body responds to low blood sugar levels. The circulatory system responds to low blood sugar by reducing the amount of insulin it circulates.

The central nervous system CNS includes the brain and spinal cord. Blood sugar is its primary source of energy, so it needs blood sugar to be above a certain level. A person who is experiencing an episode of low blood sugar can treat themselves immediately by consuming foods or drinks that will quickly raise blood sugar levels.

If 15 minutes have passed and the symptoms have not changed, a person should eat or drink some more. In cases of extremely low blood sugar levels, a person can become drowsy and confused, and they may lose consciousness.

If this is a recurring event, a person may be able to treat their hypoglycemia with a glucagon injection. However, if a glucagon injection is ineffective or not accessible, it is essential to call for emergency medical help immediately.

The symptoms could become more serious, leading to seizures or a coma. Consistently low blood sugar levels can be dangerous because a disrupted glucose supply can impair brain function.

In severe circumstances, this can cause coma or death. If the cause of low blood sugar is temporary — such as when a person has missed a meal — obtaining glucose through food and a sugary drink should start recovery almost immediately. However, hypoglycemia is not always treatable with food and drink.

If a person often experiences low blood sugar or is likely to develop severe hypoglycemia, a doctor can provide a glucagon emergency kit, which includes an injection in case it is necessary.

For these individuals, wearing a medical alert bracelet can be a good idea so that others know what to do if a situation arises. Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, can be a temporary condition that arises if a person does not eat for a while or exercises more intensely than usual.

It causes mild-to-moderate symptoms that include dizziness, hunger, and weakness, and a person can treat it quickly by consuming sugary foods or drinks.

Certain conditions, such as diabetes, can also cause low blood sugar. In cases such as these, the symptoms can be more frequent and intense. Severe hypoglycemia can have extreme consequences. If a person has fainted, is having seizures, or is unable to eat or drink, bystanders can check whether they are wearing a medical alert bracelet or carrying a glucagon injection kit and call for an ambulance.

Low blood sugar symptoms range in severity and some cases can be life-threatening. Both diabetes and non-diabetes related hypoglycemia decrease blood…. Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can affect people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.