Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels are abnormally low. Glucose is a sugar and the body's main source for energy, according to the Mayo Clinic. When hypoglycemia occurs, the level of blood sugar, or glucose, in the body drops too low for the body to function properly. Hypoglycemia is most often associated with diabetes, but hypoglycemia can be caused by other factors as well. Certain medications, excessive alcohol consumption, tumors of the pancreas, and disorders of the adrenal or pituitary glands can cause blood sugar levels to drop. Regardless of the cause, symptoms of hypoglycemia are the same.
Neurological Effects
Someone with a low blood sugar level might have neurological symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness or blurred vision, according to Drugs.com, a drug information website that provides peer-reviewed information to consumers. Depending on how low the blood sugar is, a person will feel weak, shaky or have a headache. He might feel tired or have trouble staying awake, and he could experience feelings of irritability, nervousness or confusion. The Mayo Clinic reports that if the blood sugar is low, a person can faint or even have a seizure.
Cardiovascular Effects
If blood sugar levels are low enough, a person will experience cardiovascular side effects, according to the Mayo Clinic. Because every cell in the body needs glucose in order to function properly, a lack of glucose causes the heart to have to work harder to circulate smaller amounts of glucose through the body. As a result, a person could feel heart palpitations, or feelings like the heart is racing, or a pounding heart beat. Excessive sweating is also a sign of hypoglycemia.
Gastrointestinal Effects
Gastrointestinal side effects of hypoglycemia can include nausea or stomach cramping. PDR Health reports that hunger might also indicate a low blood sugar as the body is sending a message to the brain that it needs glucose. None of these signs is a definite indicator of low blood sugar. The only way to know for sure is to measure the blood sugar level at the time the symptoms are present.
