People with diabetes are at an increased risk of low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia. This can occur due to the taking of excessive amounts of insulin or oral diabetes medication, a decreased food intake or prolonged, intensive exercise. While the body of someone without diabetes has natural hormonal mechanisms that protect him when hypoglycemia is imminent, those protective mechanisms may be impaired or absent in the person with diabetes. According to "Medical-Surgical Nursing," some patients with long-term diabetes may develop a "hypoglycemic unawareness," which makes them dangerously unaware of the signs of low blood sugar.
Weakness
A diabetic suffering from hypoglycemia usually feels weak. She may feel faint and dizzy and want to lie down. A person with this severe sleepiness may rarely lapse into a coma.
Tremors
Another cardinal sign of low blood sugar is tremors. This can involve whole-body shaking, and the person may complain of being cold and place blankets upon himself.
Sweating
A person with low blood sugar may sweat profusely, but don't assume that someone with slightly damp skin does not have hypoglycemia. The skin on the face and arms usually feels clammy to the touch.
Hunger
The National Diabetes Clearinghouse lists hunger as a symptom of low blood sugar. A headache may accompany this hunger, and the person may feel as though he hasn't eaten in a long time.
Fast Heart Rate
Cardiac changes may become evident as the heart begins to race. The diabetic may be able to feel her heart pounding in her chest and become alarmed.
Anxiety
Low blood sugar can cause a feeling of anxiety, states Mayo Clinic. The patient may describe the feeling as nervous, and she may become irritable with others.
Slurred Speech
The diabetic with hypoglycemia may exhibit slurred speech, which may remind an onlooker of drunken speech or the speech of someone who is very sleepy. The person may feel as though he is trying to speak but cannot get the words out.
Blurry Vision
The person with diabetes may experience a sudden onset of blurry vision. Alternatively, she may complain of double vision.
Behavior Changes
The person with hypoglycemia may exhibit childish behavior or act without regard for consequences. He may seem confused to himself and others.
Seizures
Rarely, seizures may develop from untreated hypoglycemia. More often, the patient may complain of tingling skin.
Symptoms During Sleep
The diabetic who experiences low blood sugar while asleep may respond by having bad dreams and yelling out in her sleep. She may have damp bedclothes and bedding and seem cranky or disoriented when awakened.
References
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Hypoglycemia
- Mayo Clinc: Hypoglycemia: Symptoms
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing;" Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N. and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N.; 2002
