Symptoms of low blood sugar: How it feels

Let's talk about low blood sugar levels: the symptoms, how they feel, and what you should do if someone close to you experiences it. Most diabetics agree – it's awful.

What is low blood sugar?

Here are 10 flash facts about hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). A “hypo”, as episodes of low blood sugar levels are known, is when your blood sugar is lower than 3.9mmol/l. It can feel very strange and you will need to eat or drink something that contains sugar to restore your blood sugar. If you do not treat it, it can lead to a diabetes emergency. It is important to know how to test your blood sugar levels to make sure the lectures are accurate.

What are the symptoms of low blood sugar?

Everyone is different, but here are some of the most common symptoms:

Irritability sweat hunger trembling fatigue quick heartbeat

As you can see here on South Africans with diabetes, all have different symptoms of low blood sugar.

Some other symptoms of low blood sugar include:

Can’t see properly

Can’t talk properly

Can’t think properly

Numb tongue

Dizzy

Hot and shivery

Other symptoms of low blood sugar include:

Visual disorders speech problems confusion numb tongue dizziness hot and feverish

How to fix low blood sugar

It is important to do something as soon as possible to prevent a diabetes emergency. Eat a snack containing sugar if your blood sugar level is below 3.9mmol/l. For example:

a few sweets 2 tablespoons of raisins a tablespoon of honey half a cup of fruit juice 5 super c-delicacies

Wait 10 minutes and test your blood sugar again. If it is not above 5mmol/L, repeat and wait another 10 minutes until your blood sugar is above 5mmol/l. Here are tips on how to snack to avoid low blood sugar levels.

If you experience too many declines, it is possible that you develop hypoglycemic unconsciousness – where there are no signs of low blood sugar. Consult your doctor about blood sugar control if this is the case. Your levels are probably too low and your insulin may need to be adjusted.

Join South Africans with diabetes

The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone! Join our Facebook community, South Africans with diabetes, to meet other people with diabetes who are struggling with the same things as you. We are all together in this!