Post Time: 2025-07-18
Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of glucose in the bloodstream. It can be caused by various factors such as medication, diet, and certain medical conditions like diabetes or pancreatitis.
Early Warning Signs of Low Blood Sugar Levels
- Shakiness and Dizziness: When blood sugar levels drop too low, it affects the brain's ability to function properly leading to shakiness and dizziness.
- Sweating: Excessive sweating can be an early sign that your body is trying to raise its glucose levels in response to a decrease in available energy sources.
- Trembling Hands: Trembling or shaking hands are often one of the first signs of low blood sugar, especially when it's caused by skipping meals or taking too much medication.
- Fast Heartbeat: Hypoglycemia can cause an increase in heart rate due to the body's attempt to compensate for low energy levels.
- Confusion and Disorientation: Low blood sugar can lead to confusion, disorientation, and difficulty concentrating on tasks.
Mental Health Implications of Low Blood Sugar
- Irritability and Mood Swings: Low glucose levels can cause irritability, anxiety, depression, or mood swings as the body struggles to regulate its energy sources.
- Lightheadedness and Fainting: If left untreated, low blood sugar can lead to severe complications such as fainting or even seizures.
How to Respond if You Suspect Low Blood Sugar
If you suspect someone has a low blood sugar level, it's essential to provide assistance immediately:
- Raising Blood Glucose Levels Quickly: Give the person glucose tablets, juice, or sugary snacks like candy.
- Monitor for Improvement: Watch closely as symptoms improve within 15-30 minutes of treating hypoglycemia.
When Low Blood Sugar Demands Professional Help
If you experience persistent low blood sugar episodes, consult a healthcare professional:
- Regular Monitoring and Adjustments: Work with your doctor to adjust medication or treatment plans for conditions that cause recurring hypoglycemic episodes.
- Identify Potential Triggers: Try to determine the triggers behind your low blood sugar levels so you can take steps to avoid them.
Maintaining a Healthy Blood Sugar Range
Aim for healthy lifestyle choices like:
- Balanced Diet and Meal Timing
- Regular Exercise Routine: Both physical activity and dietary adjustments play critical roles in maintaining stable glucose levels.
- Healthy Weight Management: Maintain an ideal weight, as excess body fat can impair insulin sensitivity.
When to Seek Emergency Assistance
- In Severe Cases of Hypoglycemia: If symptoms worsen despite initial treatment or if someone faints due to low blood sugar, call emergency services immediately.
- Diabetic Emergencies: In cases where a person is unable to recover from severe hypoglycemic episodes, it may be necessary for them to receive intravenous glucose.
By recognizing these signs and taking prompt action when needed, individuals can prevent or minimize the effects of low blood sugar levels on their overall health.
Get access to my FREE resources 👉 I explain reactive hypoglycemia. Timestamps: 0:00 Why reactive hypoglycemia is important to understand 1:00 You don’t want blood sugar too low or too high 4:07 I agree that the best diet for hypoglycemia emphasizes healthy fats and protein I explain what reactive hypoglycemia is and why you need to understand it. There’s a condition called postprandial hypoglycemia which is different; it’s the low blood sugar that happens anywhere from immediately to four hours after a meal, especially a high carb one. Your body tries to keep your blood sugar tightly controlled; not too high, not too low. Insulin is the hormone that tries to reduce your blood sugar. There are other hormones releasing sugar back into your blood to ensure your blood glucose doesn’t go too low. Too low and you could experience these symptoms: tiredness, brain fog, dizziness, craving sweets, or even a coma if it goes badly low. With hypoglycemia, the insulin overreacts and pushes the blood sugar down with too much force and/or not enough adrenal support so your cortisol is low. If you have a liver problem and your body doesn’t have enough of the hormone called IGF to counter the insulin. Or there’s another hormone produced by the pancreas called glucagon which also counters insulin. Sometimes the medical profession doesn’t acknowledge that hypoglycemia exists. There are blood sugar chart ada levels of hypoglycemia. You can’t just test fasting glucose, you have to test blood sugar at one-hour intervals for four hours after a meal. I don’t even think the test is valid because you drink a glucose mixture. Ideally your blood sugar is below 70. But even if it’s 75 or 80 and you have hypoglycemia symptoms, you could have severe insulin resistance. Because insulin controls the input of glucose into your cells, your cells could be starving for glucose yet your blood sugar tests at a normal level. I agree that the best diet for hypoglycemia emphasizes healthy fats and protein. But it’s really as simple as cutting out carbs. I guarantee if you stop eating carbs and adapt to fat burning your blood sugar will come out nicely and you won’t have hypoglycemic symptoms anymore. Our bodies aren’t designed to run off of high carbohydrate diets. Some experts advise frequent small meals to heal longstanding hypoglycemia. I disagree. Every time you eat you stimulate insulin. If you eat less frequently you’ll keep insulin low. Without high insulin your blood sugar will be level. Eating sugar and refined carbohydrates triggers excessive reactions by the pancreas, which leads to reactive hypoglycemia. Talk to a Product Advisor to find the best product for you! Call 1-540-299-1556 with your questions about Dr. Berg's products. Product Advisors are available Monday through Friday 8am-6pm and Saturday 9am-5pm EST. * At this time, we no longer offer Keto Consulting and our Product Advisors will only be advising on which product is best for you and advise on how best blood sugar monitor apple watch to take them. Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio: Dr. Berg, age 56, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media. Follow Me On Social Media: Facebook: Instagram: Anchor: TikTok: ABOUT DR. BERG: Disclaimer: Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. can your blood sugar be low without having diabetes Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Thanks for watching!