Do you also experience sudden low blood sugar? Let's talk about hypoglycemia!

Do you suddenly feel shaky? Sweating, feeling dizzy, and feeling very hungry? These could be signs that your blood sugar level is lower than healthy. In medical terms, we call this condition hypoglycemia . This is very common among people with diabetes. But sometimes it can happen to people without diabetes too. So, don't panic. Let's talk about this simply and clearly.

Simply put, what is hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia is when the amount of glucose, or sugar as we commonly call it, in your blood drops below the healthy level required by the body.

• For most people with diabetes, a blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) or 3.9 mmol/L (millimoles per liter) is considered hypoglycemia.
• For someone without diabetes, hypoglycemia is usually defined as a blood sugar level below 55 mg/dL (3.1 mmol/L).

When this condition occurs, it should be treated immediately by eating or drinking something containing sugar or carbohydrates. Sometimes this can lead to a serious condition (severe hypoglycemia). If this happens, it can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

Why is glucose so important to our bodies?

Our bodies get glucose (sugar) from the carbohydrates we eat. This is our body's main source of energy. It's like gasoline for a car. In particular, glucose is essential for our brain to function. The brain needs a constant supply of glucose.

If you don't have diabetes, our bodies maintain blood sugar levels within a certain range through several natural processes. The main hormone that helps with this is insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. A hormone called glucagon is also important for this.

However, in people with diabetes, this process does not work properly. Therefore, they have to control their blood sugar levels through medication (for example, insulin injections) and lifestyle changes. The main reason for low blood sugar is the increase in insulin levels in the body.

What are the symptoms of low blood sugar?

The symptoms of hypoglycemia can start suddenly. And they can vary from person to person. Although these symptoms can be a little uncomfortable, they are a good warning that tells us, "Your sugar is low, do something quickly."

Low blood sugar while sleeping (Nocturnal Hypoglycemia)

Sometimes, blood sugar levels can drop even while we're sleeping. Here are some of the symptoms:

• Struggling with sleep
• Sweating so much that the sheets are wet
• Screaming in your sleep
• Nightmares
• Feeling extremely tired and confused upon waking in the morning

Can blood sugar drop without showing symptoms? (Hypoglycemia Unawareness)

Yes, this is a bit of a dangerous situation. For some people, especially diabetics who have frequent low blood sugars, over time, their blood sugar levels can drop without showing any symptoms. The body gets used to the low blood sugar levels and stops giving warning signals. This is called hypoglycemia unawareness .

People with this condition are more likely to suddenly become seriously ill. If this happens to you, it is very important to tell your family and friends about this. So they can help you in an emergency. Also,

• Using a device that continuously measures glucose levels (Continuous Glucose Monitoring - CGM) can help you know when your blood sugar is low.
• It is also a good idea to check your blood sugar several times a day with a regular glucometer.

What are the causes of low blood sugar?

The reasons can be divided into two groups: those with diabetes and those without diabetes.

Reasons why a person with diabetes may have low blood sugar

This happens when there is an imbalance between diet, exercise, and diabetes medication.

• Insulin overdose: Injecting more insulin than necessary.
• Medication and meal timing errors: Taking insulin and not eating for a long time.
• Taking the wrong diabetes pills: Taking too much of some diabetes pills (e.g. sulfonylureas) can cause low blood sugar.
• Exercising more than usual: Exercising more and not eating enough to compensate.
• Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach: Drinking alcohol without eating.
• Skipping meals: Not eating on time.

Why does someone without diabetes have low blood sugar?

This is a bit rare. There are two main types.

1. Reactive Hypoglycemia: This occurs two to four hours after eating . Especially when you eat foods high in simple carbohydrates like rice, bread, and potatoes, the body suddenly produces more insulin, lowering your blood sugar levels.

2. Low blood sugar while fasting (Fasting Hypoglycemia): This can be caused by several factors.

• Excessive alcohol use: Drinking too much alcohol without eating properly for several days.
• Serious illnesses: Conditions such as liver or kidney failure.
• Hormonal problems: Conditions such as adrenal insufficiency.
• Tumors: Rare tumors in the pancreas, such as insulinoma, cause excess insulin production.

If you have these symptoms without having diabetes, you should definitely see a doctor to find out the cause.

What to do when sugar is low? Treatment methods

What we are basically doing here is providing the body with sugar (carbohydrates) quickly.

In normal circumstances, the "15-15 Rule"

This is a very simple, easy to remember method.

1. Step 1: Eat or drink 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates .

2. Step 2: Wait 15 minutes .

3. Step 3: Measure your blood sugar level again with your glucometer.

4. Step 4: If the sugar level is still below 70 mg/dL, repeat steps 1, 2, and 3. Do this until the sugar level returns to normal.

What foods contain 15 grams of carbohydrates?

• 3-4 glucose tablets
• Half a glass (1/2 cup) of sweetened fruit juice or soft drink
• A tablespoon of sugar, honey, or maple syrup
• Half of a small banana

Treatment in severe cases (Severe Hypoglycemia)

If someone has low blood sugar and is confused, unable to speak, or unconscious , never give them food or drink by mouth! Doing so can cause them to become lodged in the airway.

1. Glucagon Injection: For people with diabetes, your doctor may have prescribed a glucagon injection for emergencies. Make sure your family knows how to use it.

2. Go to the hospital immediately!: If you do not have glucagon or do not know how to use it, immediately call the 1990 ambulance service or take the person to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).

3. Turn the patient to the side: The patient may vomit after regaining consciousness. Therefore, turn the patient to the side to prevent choking.

What can be done to prevent this situation?

It may be difficult for someone with diabetes to completely prevent this, but it is possible to reduce the frequency of this condition.

• Follow medical advice: Take the medication your doctor prescribes exactly and at the right time.
• Be careful about diet and exercise: Don't skip meals. If you exercise, talk to your doctor about it and make changes to your diet if necessary.
• Check your blood sugar levels regularly: It is especially important to check your blood sugar levels before and after meals, before and after exercise, and before going to bed.
• Keep a log: Every time you have low blood sugar, write down the time, your blood sugar level, what you ate before, and whether you exercised. This will help your doctor develop a treatment plan for you.