Understanding Low Blood Sugar and Its Effects on the Body
Most people may already be familiar with diabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are too high. However, many people are still unaware that low blood sugar can be just as harmful to your health, given its various negative effects.
Its effects vary, ranging from blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, confusion, slurred speech, numbness, and drowsiness. If it lasts too long, the brain can be deprived of glucose, which may lead to seizures, coma, and death.
That’s why you need to know what causes low blood sugar, what the symptoms are, and how to treat it. This is especially important if you notice or learn that your blood glucose level is below the minimum threshold—that is, below 70 mg/dL when you are not eating.[1] Here’s what you need to know!
Causes of Low Blood Sugar

There are many causes of low blood sugar. However, most cases are caused by the following factors!
1. Prolonged Fasting
One common reason your glucose levels may drop is prolonged or chronic fasting. When you delay or do not eat enough, your body’s production of sugar, or glucose, automatically decreases.
This is because glucose comes from the food your body digests. Almost all nutrients are broken down into glucose before being delivered to cells throughout the body as a source of energy. So it is no surprise that your energy runs out quickly when your glucose levels are insufficient.
2. Malnutrition
If chronic hunger continues without efforts to improve nutrition, you may become malnourished. The effects can be even more severe, as malnutrition can lead to death. According to statistics, 1 in 10 people experiencing chronic hunger suffer from malnutrition, so it is relatively uncommon.[2]
3. Adrenal Gland Disorders
Another cause is a disorder of the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys. If these glands do not function properly, hormone secretion can be disrupted. As a result, your body may lack the hormones that regulate or even produce glucose.
4. Medication Use
If you have certain serious illnesses, your blood glucose levels may also be more likely to drop due to medication. Children are more susceptible to this than adults. These illnesses include hepatitis, heart disease, kidney disorders, and others.
If you accidentally take diabetes medication when your glucose levels are stable, they may drop drastically. That’s why you need to be more careful when taking medication.
Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar

Now that you know the causes, you should also know the signs of low blood sugar. In general, the symptoms of low blood sugar are relatively easy to recognize. They include:
- Low energy
- Hunger that causes stomach pain
- Nausea
- Headache
- Paleness
- Unsteadiness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Difficulty focusing
- Difficulty speaking clearly
How to Treat Low Blood Sugar
In fact, treating low blood sugar is relatively easy. Here’s what you can do:
1. Eat on Time and Get Enough Nutrients

First, make sure you always eat on time. If possible, create a meal schedule to help you stick to regular mealtimes. Avoid waiting until you feel very hungry before eating. Instead, try to eat at the same time every day.
In addition to when you eat, you should also pay attention to what you eat. Make sure your food is nutritious and healthy. There are many foods for low blood sugar, especially foods containing natural sugars.[3] Examples include:
- Honey
- Jam
- Fruit juice with added sugar
- Whole wheat bread
- White rice
- Red meat
2. Don’t Forget Snacks

If your glucose suddenly drops drastically, you can have a snack right away, especially something sweet. It’s okay to occasionally eat jelly, candy, chocolate, and similar snacks. You can also have a sweet drink from time to time if this happens.
3. Give a Glucagon Injection

If your condition is very severe and your body does not respond after you eat food or snacks, you can give a glucagon injection. Glucagon is actually the opposite of insulin, so it can lower blood sugar levels.
If your body still does not respond to the glucagon injection, you need to go to the nearest hospital or clinic immediately. This will ensure you receive immediate medical attention and more extensive, intensive care.
So, what do you think? Do you now know more about low blood sugar—its causes, symptoms, and how to treat it? If so, make sure you keep your levels stable within the normal range of 80–180 mg/dL. One way to do this is by following a healthy diet.
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