Very low blood sugar, or diabetic hypoglycemia, is dangerous and may occur as a side effect of diabetes medications. Glucose levels below 60 mg/dl affect your body and brain in a variety of ways. In severe cases, diabetic hypoglycemia may cause seizures and even coma, so if you are being treated for diabetes, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of very low blood sugar.
Mild Hypoglycemia
Signs and symptoms of mild hypoglycemia generally begin to appear when your blood sugar drops below 60 mg/dl, according to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. These include nausea, headache, intense hunger, nervousness or anxiety, trembling, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, tingling or numbness in the fingertips or lips, excessive sweating and cold, clammy or wet skin. If you have mild hypoglycemia, you may not display any signs or symptoms, or you may display only a few.
Moderate Hypoglycemia
Moderate hypoglycemia signs and symptoms usually appear when your blood glucose level falls below 55 mg/dl, which is generally the point at which your nervous system begins to be affected, notes MayoClinic.com. Signs and symptoms include mood changes, such as restlessness, irritability, anxiety and anger; confusion or difficulty concentrating; blurred vision; weakness; and fatigue. Your coordination may be affected, resulting in a staggering gait or slurred speech.
Severe Hypoglycemia
Severe diabetic hypoglycemia is a medical emergency. This occurs when your blood glucose levels have dropped to a critical point, generally below 35 to 40 mg/dl. Signs include seizures or convulsions, hypothermia or low body temperature, loss of consciousness and coma.
Nighttime Signs and Symptoms
Diabetic hypoglycemia may occur overnight while you are sleeping. Signs and symptoms of nighttime hypoglycemia include damp bedding due to perspiration, nightmares, calling out during your sleep, tiredness, and irritability or confusion upon waking.
Hypoglycemia Unawareness
Approximately 17 percent of people with type 1 diabetes are affected by hypoglycemia unawareness, which means that they have few, if any, early signs of falling blood glucose levels, according to DiabetesNet. These people may progress to moderate or even severe hypoglycemia before symptoms become apparent. Regular and frequent blood glucose testing is necessary for you to catch hypoglycemia in its early stages, before your blood sugar reaches a dangerously low level.
