Low Blood Sugar Effects

Low blood sugar---a medical condition called hypoglycemia---can occur for a number of reasons including excessive alcohol consumption, strenuous exercise, certain medications or some forms of disease, such as diabetes. The effects of low blood sugar can appear suddenly or gradually depending on the person with this condition. Low blood sugar effects can typically be resolved quickly by ingesting some type of food or beverage that contains sugar, such as fruit juice, candy or soda.

Hunger

If your body does not have an adequate level of blood sugar, it cannot maintain its normal functions. If this occurs, your body will signal your brain that you need more food to help raise your blood sugar levels. Hypoglycemia can cause feelings of extreme hunger, even if you have eaten recently. You might also develop a stomachache, nausea or vomiting as a result of this condition.

Sweating

Low blood sugar levels can cause excessive sweating to occur in certain people. You may notice that you sweat more throughout the day or that your sheets or pajamas are damp with sweat when you wake up. You might also develop frequently cold or clammy skin, explains CIGNA HealthCare .

Weakness

Low blood sugar levels mean that you do not have enough energy to sustain your body. This can cause you to feel weak, sleepy or abnormally fatigued when you wake up or throughout your normal daily activities. You might appear clumsy or have difficulty walking as a result of this condition.

Headache

A decreased level of sugar within the blood prevents your brain from functioning normally. This can cause you to develop a headache and can make you feel confused or tired.

Vision Alterations

Certain people with low blood sugar levels can experience vision alterations as an effect of this condition. Symptoms can include blurred or double vision, which can contribute to additional symptoms such as dizziness, headache or fatigue.

Irritability

If you have low blood sugar levels, you could notice that you experience abnormal mood changes during the day. Low blood sugar levels can cause you to feel angry, irritable, afraid or nervous.

Seizures

Extremely low blood sugar levels can cause tremors, convulsions or seizures to develop in certain people. If this occurs, you may also faint or lose consciousness. Severely low blood sugar---especially if left untreated---can cause serious medical complications, such as coma, or death.

References

Article reviewed by Kari Lucke Last updated on: Feb 2, 2010

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