This can lead to blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, confusion, slurred speech, numbness, and drowsiness. If blood sugar stays low for too long, starving the brain of glucose, it may lead to seizures, coma, and very rarely death. Studies have shown that people are unaware of the symptoms and seriousness of hypoglycemia.

People with diabetes have to check their blood sugar levels often and practice healthy habits to keep their blood sugar levels in check. Unfortunately, blood sugar crashes can happen for reasons out of your control.

Low blood sugar is common in people living with type 1 diabetes , but it can also occur in people with type 2 diabetes who are taking insulin or certain medications. The average person with type 1 diabetes may experience up to two symptomatic episodes of mild low blood sugar per week. Common causes of blood sugar crashes in people with diabetes include too much insulin or an unbalanced diet:.

The main treatment for a mild sugar crash is the rule. It helps slowly bring blood sugar levels up. This can backfire by causing the blood sugar to spike.

Instead, according to the rule, you should eat 15 grams of carbohydrates to raise your blood sugar and check your blood sugar level 15 minutes after. Food or supplements that contain 15 mg of carbohydrates include:. Complex carbohydrates or foods that contain fats along with carbs like chocolate can slow the absorption of glucose and should not be used to treat an emergency low.

Keep track of your symptoms and low blood sugar episodes and tell your healthcare provider. Monitoring your blood sugar is the tried and true method for preventing hypoglycemia.

The more a person checks blood sugar, the lower their risk of hypoglycemia. This is because you can see when blood sugar levels are dropping and treat it before it gets too low.

If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar at the following times:. You should check your blood sugar more often if you made certain changes, such as a new insulin routine, a different work schedule, an increase in physical activity, or travel across time zones.

Besides a glucometer, you can also monitor your blood sugar with a continuous glucose monitor. These monitors are devices connected to the body all day, allowing quick access to information anytime you need it. These monitors help prevent surprise highs or lows in blood sugar and address them quickly.

Other things you can do to avoid a blood sugar crash if you have diabetes include:. Non-diabetic blood sugar crashes are considered much rarer than diabetic blood sugar crashes. They may occur for various reasons. There are two types of non-diabetic hypoglycemia: reactive hypoglycemia and fasting hypoglycemia.

Reactive hypoglycemia, also called postprandial hypoglycemia, happens after a meal, typically a few hours later. Possible causes of reactive hypoglycemia include:.

On the other hand, fasting hypoglycemia can be caused by:. For people without diabetes, treatment depends on the cause of the hypoglycemia. For example, if you have a tumor that is causing your hypoglycemia, you may need surgery.

If a medicine is the cause, switching to a different medication can help. To treat your symptoms immediately, eat or drink 15 grams of carbohydrates. A reactive hypoglycemia episode may be a sign the person has or may develop diabetes.

You should discuss it with your healthcare provider to determine your next steps. By making small tweaks to your diet, you can help avoid hypoglycemia. These changes include eating a balanced diet, eating less sugar and carbs, and eating more protein and fiber.

Another prevention tip is carrying a snack with you that can be used to raise your blood sugar. These snacks can include a handful of nuts, a hardboiled egg, or air-popped popcorn.

The best way to address your personal concerns and needs is to discuss your diet, medication, and lifestyle with your healthcare team. They can diagnose any underlying conditions, adjust or change your medications, and advise you on the best ways to prevent hypoglycemia.

Tips that apply across the board to keep blood sugar stable include:. People with diabetes may face more challenges when managing blood sugar levels, but it is possible to stay healthy. People with diabetes and those without can both experience sugar crashes, but for different reasons.

Monitoring your blood sugar is your best bet at preventing a sugar crash if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Whether you have a diabetes diagnosis or not, balance is key. While blood sugar crashes are possible, they can be avoided with healthy living and help from your healthcare provider. American Diabetes Association. Hypoglycemia low blood sugar. Östenson CG, Geelhoed-Duijvestijn P, Lahtela J, Weitgasser R, Markert Jensen M, Pedersen-Bjergaard U.

Self-reported non-severe hypoglycaemic events in Europe. Diabet Med. Since you receive information in real-time, you can also prevent sugar spikes or get timely help when you notice a spike.

Instead, all it means is a reduction of massive spikes and dips, where you maximize your time spend in the optimal blood sugar zone —so you feel more energetic, alert, productive, and in-control of your emotions.

You can control your spikes through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Carbohydrates, especially those that are refined, are the main culprit of blood sugar spikes.

Some typical high-carb foods include:. Sugary foods and beverages drinks like cakes, soft drinks and fruit juices. You can replace those foods with better alternatives that are less likely to spike your blood sugar.

Some examples include:. Whole grains which are minimally processed and therefore contain more fiber such as brown rice, buckwheat, quinoa and bulgur. Non-starchy vegetables such as leafy greens, capsicums and tomatoes.

Legumes and beans such as chickpeas, lentils and soybeans. Whichever you choose, keep in mind that the portion that you eat also matters. Also, it's a good idea to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated - that way, you'll be less likely to experience sugar spikes.

In other words, the insulin that your pancreas produces will be more effective. Exercising also helps you control your blood sugar levels.

In addition, regular activity is a great way to manage your body weight. People with high body weight have a much harder time keeping their blood sugar under control. In one study, participants achieved this without any intensive lifestyle interventions or extreme calorie restrictions - so it's definitely doable!

For the best results, aim for at least 20 to 25 minutes of activity every day. When you feel stressed, this affects your mood and your blood sugar at the same time. Your body's natural response to stress releases sugar into your bloodstream for energy.

This can lead to blood sugar spikes, especially if you're not getting enough sleep. Luckily, you can manage your mood and blood sugar levels through meditation, healthy sleep habits, and relaxing nature walks.

Another positive lifestyle change for blood sugar control is surrounding yourself with a support group. This can give you an outlet to express any fears, stress or challenges you're facing. With like-minded people by your side, you'll be better equipped to manage your blood sugar levels effectively.

Here at NOVI, we're dedicated to providing you with the best possible care for your diabetes. Our team of experts will work with you to develop a holistic strategy that fits your needs and makes you feel comfortable. We care about our clients and their feelings, so you can be sure that you're in good hands.

Don't allow diabetes to control your life! Does Diabetes Cause Mood Swings and Fatigue And Tips To Feel Better. Glucose Levels. Mar 28 Written By NOVI Team. Takeaways Blood sugar fluctuations can negatively impact your mood and energy levels. How blood sugar fluctuations cause mood swings and fatigue.

Note that beyond fatigue and irritability, reactive hypoglycemia may also cause : Weakness Anxiety Dizziness Palpitations Difficulty concentrating Blurred vision Sweating Tremor or shakiness How to determine if you are experiencing blood sugar fluctuations As mentioned earlier, symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia include fatigue, weakness, anxiety, irritability, an.

We saw blood sugar crashes in plenty of our PREDICT participants , who underwent continuous glucose monitoring for two weeks. But they were more common in some people than others.

And even identical twins, who share all their genes, could have different glucose responses after eating the same foods. One theory is that if your blood sugar levels are not well controlled, the insulin-secreting cells in your pancreas can become damaged and don't produce enough insulin as your blood sugar begins to rise after eating.

Another idea is that your blood sugar responses depend on the microbes that live in your gut. We all have a unique set of microbes, so we all process our food differently, causing unique responses to food, even when we've eaten precisely the same thing.

The best way to dodge a sugar slump is to avoid the foods that cause them. Instead, pick foods that keep your blood sugar relatively steady. Avoiding sugary drinks and snacks is probably sound advice for everyone seeking better control over their blood sugar.

But some experts advise highly restrictive diets that limit all carbohydrates. However, studies have shown that diets high in carbohydrates from plants can improve blood sugar control after eating by increasing the activity of gut microbes, which protect against unhealthy blood sugar reactions.

Rather than avoiding certain food groups, like carbohydrates, we advise eating a varied diet tailored to your unique biology. After all, o ur PREDICT-1 study has shown us that the same foods can cause different blood sugar responses in different people, so there is no one-size-fits-all advice for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

To understand what causes your sugar crashes, and how you can avoid them and maintain your energy levels, you need to know how YOUR body responds to food. You are unique, and your diet should be too. But how can you know what foods are best for your body?

That's where the ZOE program comes in. Request Appointment. Reactive hypoglycemia: What can I do? Products and services. I think I have reactive hypoglycemia. What can I do for my symptoms? Answer From M. Regina Castro, M. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry.

Show references Low blood glucose hypoglycemia. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed Feb. Gardner DG, et al. Hypoglycemic disorders. McGraw-Hill; Loscalzo J, et al. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. McGraw Hill; Vella A.

Evaluation of postprandial hypoglycemia in adults without diabetes. Merck Manual Professional Version. Products and Services The Mayo Clinic Diet Online A Book: The Essential Diabetes Book. See also Medication-free hypertension control A1C test Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?

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Standards of medical care in diabetes — Diabetes Care. Accessed Nov. Hypoglycemia low blood sugar. Low blood glucose hypoglycemia. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Cryer PE. Hypoglycemia in adults with diabetes mellitus. Vella A. Hypoglycemia in adults without diabetes mellitus: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and causes.

Merck Manual Professional Version. What is diabetes? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kittah NE, et al. Management of endocrine disease: Pathogenesis and management of hypoglycemia. European Journal of Endocrinology. Vella A expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. Castro MR expert opinion.

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Reactive hypoglycemia can usually be relieved by dietary changes: [20]. The first important point is to add small meals at the middle of the morning and of the afternoon, when glycemia would start to decrease.

If adequate composition of the meal is found, the fall in blood glucose is thus prevented. Patients should avoid rapidly absorbed sugars and thus avoid popular soft drinks rich in glucose or sucrose. They should also be cautious with drinks associating sugar and alcohol, mainly in the fasting state.

As it is a short-term ailment, a sugar crash that was not caused by injecting too much insulin does not usually require medical intervention in most people.

The most important factors to consider when addressing this issue are the composition and timing of foods. Acute short-term low blood sugar symptoms are best treated by consuming small amounts of sweet foods, so as to regain balance in the body's carbohydrate metabolism.

Suggestions include sugary foods that are quickly digested, such as:. The anti-hypertensive class of medication known as calcium channel blockers could be useful for reactive hypoglycemia as inhibition of the calcium channels on beta islet cells can help prevent an overproduction of insulin after a meal is eaten.

If there is no hypoglycemia at the time of the symptoms, this condition is called idiopathic postprandial syndrome. It might be an " adrenergic postprandial syndrome" — blood glucose levels are normal, but the symptoms are caused through autonomic adrenergic counterregulation.

Dietary recommendations for reactive hypoglycemia can help to relieve symptoms of postprandial syndrome.

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Download as PDF Printable version. Medical condition. For the song, see SugarCrash! Main article: Idiopathic postprandial syndrome.

Retrieved September 8, Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved November 8, J R Soc Interface. doi : PMC PMID National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Department of Health and Human Services.

Archived from the original on February 8, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Mayo Clinic. Demand Media.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed Feb. Gardner DG, et al. Hypoglycemic disorders.

McGraw-Hill; Loscalzo J, et al. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. McGraw Hill; Vella A.

Evaluation of postprandial hypoglycemia in adults without diabetes. Merck Manual Professional Version. Products and Services The Mayo Clinic Diet Online A Book: The Essential Diabetes Book. See also Medication-free hypertension control A1C test Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?

Alpha blockers Amputation and diabetes Angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors Angiotensin II receptor blockers Anxiety: A cause of high blood pressure?

Artificial sweeteners: Any effect on blood sugar? Bariatric surgery Beta blockers Beta blockers: Do they cause weight gain? Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise? Blood glucose meters Blood glucose monitors Blood pressure: Can it be higher in one arm? Blood pressure chart Blood pressure cuff: Does size matter?

Blood pressure: Does it have a daily pattern? Blood pressure: Is it affected by cold weather? Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight? Blood pressure medications: Can they raise my triglycerides? Blood pressure readings: Why higher at home? Blood pressure tip: Get more potassium Blood sugar levels can fluctuate for many reasons Blood sugar testing: Why, when and how Bone and joint problems associated with diabetes Pancreas transplant animation Caffeine and hypertension Calcium channel blockers Calcium supplements: Do they interfere with blood pressure drugs?

Can whole-grain foods lower blood pressure? Central-acting agents Choosing blood pressure medicines COVID Who's at higher risk of serious symptoms? Diabetes Diabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditions Diabetes and exercise: When to monitor your blood sugar Diabetes and heat 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications Diabetes diet: Should I avoid sweet fruits?

Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan Diabetes foods: Can I substitute honey for sugar? Diabetes and liver Diabetes management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugar Diabetes symptoms Diabetes treatment: Can cinnamon lower blood sugar?

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Otherwise the sugar crashes will continue. Posted In Endocrinology , Health Information , Healthy Living , Nutrition , Weight Loss. Written by SHN Staff.

December 19, A sugar crash is the sudden drop in energy levels after consuming a large amount of carbohydrates, such as pasta, pizza and desserts. Photo by Getty Images. Find a nutrition specialist: Nutrition services at Sanford Health Dietitians at Sanford Health suggest balance, moderation and consistency are the most effective ways to avoid these crashes.

What does a sugar crash feel like? With this drastic drop in energy, the body can experience undesired symptoms such as: Hunger Irritability Fatigue Discomfort Anxiety Headaches Difficulty concentrating Excess sweat Jitters Shakiness Dizziness Sugar crashes generally cause us to be incredibly distracted throughout the day, which leads to a lack of productivity and concentration.

How to avoid crashing Sanford dietitians stress that the most effective way to avoid sugar crashes is to incorporate balance. The key is keeping blood glucose levels consistent, which can be done by balancing meals with the appropriate amounts of protein sources, fiber and fats: Eat a variety of foods.

To keep blood glucose levels consistent, keep a balance of all major food groups and nutrients. All meals and snacks eaten throughout the day should include a mix of protein, fiber, carbohydrates and fat.

If a high-carb meal or snack is consumed without any sources of protein, fiber or fat, blood glucose levels drop. This drop causes a sugar crash.