What Are the Causes & Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar?

Low blood sugar is referred to by doctors as hypoglycemia,which is a treatable condition if you carefully manage the foods you eat and when you eat them. The symptoms of low blood sugar may develop quickly without warning, and can be caused by your diet and certain medical conditions. Consider this information from the Mayo Clinic and the American Diabetes Association about the symptoms and causes of low blood sugar.

Neurological Symptoms

• If your blood sugar gets too low, you may experience neurological symptoms including confusion, anxiety, unusual behavior, double or blurred vision and seizures.

Cardiac Symptoms

• Low blood sugar may cause you to have a rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure or loss of consciousness if your blood sugar stays low for too long.

Increased Appetite

• Your appetite and thirst may increase when your blood sugar gets low, and you may crave sweets, fruits and breads or pasta, which are foods with high amounts of sugar.

Medications

• Medications such as large does of insulin, metformin, and quinine may cause low blood sugar.

Alcohol

• If you drink alcohol on an empty stomach, your blood sugar may remain low due to the effects of alcohol on your liver's ability to release glucose (sugar).

Digestive Disorders

• Disorders of your digestive system, including pancreatic tumors, toxic hepatitis, kidney disease, malnutrition and complications from weight loss surgeries can cause low blood sugar.

Hormone Disorders

• If you have disorders of your pituitary, adrenal or thyroid glands, you may have hormone deficiencies that cause low blood sugar levels.