Everything You Need To Know About A Blood Sugar Crash

A blood sugar crash refers to an abrupt drop in blood sugar levels. The human body responds to glucose by the production and release of insulin into the bloodstream. When there is excessive insulin in your blood, your blood sugar level may drop below than what is normal.

A sugar crash, which is also known as hypoglycaemia, is characterised by blood sugar levels dropping below 70 mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre). It is quite normal to have varying levels of blood sugar throughout the day. However, low blood sugar can lead to a variety of complications. 

Anyone can experience a sugar crash, but it is more common in those with diabetes.

Hypoglycaemia that occurs in individuals without diabetes is called non-diabetic hypoglycaemia, which is further categorised into two types: reactive hypoglycaemia and fasting hypoglycaemia. This condition (non-diabetic hypoglycaemia) may be triggered by medication, presence of other medical conditions, or presence of tumours. 

Low blood sugar levels trigger the release of epinephrine, which is also known as adrenaline, the fight-or-flight hormone. This hormone may cause symptoms of hypoglycaemia. 

How Is A Blood Sugar Crash Diagnosed?

A blood glucose reading will accurately determine whether you are experiencing a blood sugar crash. In addition, you physician may recommend a home glucose meter so that you can check and self-monitor your blood sugar levels. 

Blood Sugar Crash Symptoms

Each individual may react to low blood sugar levels differently. The symptoms of blood sugar crash can turn out to be mild or severe and may include the following:

• Shakiness
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Sweating, clamminess, and chills
• Irritability and lack of patience
• A sense of confusion
• Rapid heartbeat (or tachycardia)
• Dizziness or light-headedness 
• Hunger
• Nausea
• Pallor (or colour draining from the skin)
• Sleepiness
• Weakness and lack of energy
• Impaired or blurry vision
• A tingling sensation or numbness in the tongue, lips, and cheeks
• Headaches
• Coordination problems or clumsiness
• Nightmares or crying out during sleep
• Seizures

This should give you a fair idea of what does blood sugar crash feel like.

If your blood sugar level is low and continues to dip further, your brain will not receive sufficient glucose, which can lead to drowsiness, numbness, slurred speech, confusion, difficulty in concentrating, and blurry vision. If your blood sugar level remains low for a long duration, it can lead to seizures, coma, and even death.

Diabetic Blood Sugar Crash

Individuals with diabetes need to check their blood sugar levels on a regular basis and practice healthy habits to keep them in the normal range. Unfortunately, blood sugar crashes may occur for reasons beyond your control.

What Causes Blood Sugar Crash?

• Too Few Carbohydrates: Because carbohydrates are the primary source of glucose for your body, not consuming enough of them can lead to a drop in blood sugar.

• Skipping Meals: By skipping meals, you are depriving your body of the energy it needs from glucose.

• Strenuous Physical Activity: Exercising for a long duration, especially if you have not eaten enough carbs, can lead to episodes of blood sugar crashes.

• Excessive Alcohol: Alcohol can cause interference in the ability of your body to successfully metabolise glucose.

• Not eating soon enough post insulin treatment: If you take shots of insulin as prescribed during mealtimes but delay consuming meals, it can lead to a sugar crash.

• Too much insulin: If you are intaking too much insulin, the chances of blood sugar crashes are higher. 

Treatment For Blood Sugar Crash

The primary treatment for a relatively mild sugar crash is the 15-15 rule, which helps raise your blood sugar levels. 

According to the 15-15 rule, you must consume 15 grams of carbohydrates to raise your blood sugar level, following which you must check the level after 15 minutes. If the level is still below 70 mg/dL, you need another serving.

How To Avoid Blood Sugar Crash?

Regular monitoring of your blood sugar levels is the tried and trusted way to avoid a blood sugar crash or incidence of hypoglycaemia. This is because when you know that your blood sugar level is dropping, you can find a remedy for it.

If you have diabetes, you need to check your blood sugar at the below-mentioned times:

• Before as well as after meals
• Before as well as after exercise
• Before going to bed
• In the middle of the night after a day of intense exercise

There are several other things that you can do to avoid a blood sugar crash if you have diabetes, such as:

• Consuming a balanced diet
• A strict no-no to sugary foods or drinks outside of mealtimes
• Consuming small portions
• Avoiding restriction or cutting out of full food groups
• Planning ahead
• Keeping your physician in the know

On A Final Note:

Individuals with or without diabetes can both experience blood sugar crashes although for different reasons. If you have diabetes, monitoring your blood sugar levels is your best bet when it comes to preventing sugar crashes. On the contrary, if you do not have diabetes, consult your doctor to find out the precise cause for your blood sugar crash and the changes that need to be made. 

References:

1. https://www.verywellhealth.com/sugar-crash-5176637
2. https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/hypoglycemia/hypoglycemia-overview