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Hypoglycemia Symptoms

Hypoglycemia symptoms can vary from person to person, ranging from anxiety and nervousness to seizures and coma. If left untreated, a hypoglycemic episode can be life-threatening. Many diseases can cause the same symptoms as hypoglycemia, so the only way to know for sure that hypoglycemia is the cause is to measure blood sugar when the signs occur. According to Reactive Hypoglycemia Info, hypoglycemia is generally defined as blood glucose levels below 50 mg/dL.

  1. Classification of Symptoms

    • According to the Nassau Medical Center, hypoglycemia symptoms can generally be classified according to the person's age and the severity of the symptoms. For example, young children with ketotic hypoglycemia may vomit in the morning, while an adult may appear to be intoxicated and seniors may show stroke-like signs. Despite the wide range of possible manifestations, symptoms tend to stay the same for repeated episodes for the same person.

    Neurogenic Symptoms

    • When blood sugar drops too low, the body compensates by secreting epinephrine. The National Institutes of Health states that the symptoms of this counter-regulatory response include heart palpitations, sweating and anxiety. These unpleasant physical sensations can make a person feel anxious and panicked.

    Glucagon Symptoms

    • A second type of counter-regulation occurs when falling blood glucose triggers the release of glucagon. According to Reactive Hypoglycemia Info, this event can make a person feel hunger and nausea. Stomach growling is also a common symptom. Glucagon can also produce headaches.

    Neurological Symptoms

    • When the brain is starved of glucose---its primary energy source---a wide range of neurological symptoms can appear. The Nassau Medical Center reports that brain function deteriorates below a blood glucose level of 65 mg/dL. Reactive Hypoglcyemia Info describes a wide range of neuroglycopenic symptoms including mood swings, depression, belligerence, fatigue, confusion, slurred speech and loss of coordination. These symptoms can be mistaken from drunkenness or psychiatric illness.

    Hypoglycemia Unawareness

    • According to the National Institutes of Health, a serious complication of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients is that eventually the body loses its ability to produce warning signs of hypoglycemia, such as sweating and palpitations. The lack of neurogenic symptoms is called "hypoglycemia unawareness," which has life-threatening consequences.

    Warning

    • Hypoglycemia can become a medical emergency. A person who is unable to return his blood sugar levels to normal should seek emergency medical help.

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