Diabetes is a condition that affects the levels of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. In diabetics, insulin, the molecule that controls blood sugar, is not made by the pancreas or does not effectively move glucose, the body's fuel, into cells. Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, is a condition that commonly affects people with diabetes when insulin levels are too high or intake of glucose is too low. People with diabetes should be aware of the causes of frequent low blood sugar to prevent complications of hypoglycemia that includes seizures and loss of consciousness.
Too Much Medication
A patient may be taking too much diabetes medication, which can result in hypoglycemia, states Medline Plus, of the National Institutes of Health. An excess of diabetes medication raises the level of insulin in the bloodstream, which, causes the cells to use too much glucose. This results in fatigue, dizziness and weakness in a patient. Close monitoring of blood sugar and frequent medication adjustments may be necessary to ensure that the proper dosage of diabetes medication is given to a patient.
Not Eating Enough
Not eating enough food can result in hypoglycemia, states MayoClinic.com. The digestive system digests food and turns it into glucose, which then circulates through blood vessels. Because a diabetic patient is likely taking diabetes medication, he must make sure that he eats proper food portions and does not skip or postpone meals or snacks. If a patient is not eating food, insulin will affect already low levels of glucose in the blood and make levels too low, which results in hypoglycemia. Thus, strict adherence to a proper eating schedule is necessary to prevent symptoms of low blood sugar.
Increasing Exercise
Although exercise is important and necessary to prevent complications of diabetes, it may cause hypoglycemia, states MayoClinic.com. Exercise effectively makes the body's cells more sensitive to the effects of insulin and more efficient in using glucose. Thus, a person with diabetes must eat more food before exercise to prevent hypoglycemia. In addition, the doctor may reduce the amount of diabetes medication if a patient has a consistent record of exercise. A diabetic patient should always carry glucose tablets or small pieces of candy to eat if he begins to experience the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
