Signs & Symptoms of Hypoglycemia Not Associated With Diabetes

Hypoglycemia is a condition in which a person's blood glucose level is low. It is commonly associated with diabetes, but other medical conditions can also cause it. However, hypoglycemia not related to diabetes is not common, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. When hypoglycemia does develop, the goal is to quickly raise blood glucose levels. This can often be done by eating glucose tablets or having a sugary snack, such as fruit, fruit juice or candy.

Mental State

• When hypoglycemia develops, you may become mentally confused and you may have trouble focusing or completing routine activities. It's also common to be nervous or anxious and have trouble speaking when blood sugar levels are too low.

Vision

• As blood sugar levels drops, you may experience sudden changes in your vision. The most commonly reported changes are double vision or blurred vision.

Hunger

• Hypoglycemia can also cause increased hunger. When blood sugar levels are too low you may crave food, which in turn could help raise your glucose levels.

During Sleep

• In some cases, blood sugar levels can drop while a person is sleeping. Some people may begin to exhibit signs of hypoglycemia while they continue to sleep. These signs include nightmares or crying out in your sleep and excessive sweating that causes your sheets and pajamas to become damp with perspiration. When hypoglycemia develops while sleeping, you may wake up confused or feeling as though you haven't gotten enough rest.

Fatigue

• Excessive fatigue and weakness can also be signs of hypoglycemia. You may find that you are getting worn out more quickly than usual or that is it difficult to get out of bed.

Other Symptoms

• Other symptoms of hypoglycemia include sweating, tremors or shakiness, lightheadedness or dizziness, a feeling of cold in the extremities, headaches and seizures. Most people will only notice a few, if any, symptoms of hypoglycemia. If you have a condition that causes the blood sugar levels to drop, you may begin to get accustomed to what you begin to feel like as hypoglycemia develops. This will help make it easier to treat the condition promptly.