Signs of low blood sugar at night

Nocturnal hypoglycemia is when blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL during sleep. According to some studies, more than half of low blood sugar episodes occur while sleeping at night. Nocturnal hypoglycemia is common in people with diabetes and can be dangerous but preventable.

While awake during the day, people with diabetes can recognize symptoms of low blood sugar. Some symptoms of mild to moderate hypoglycemia include irritability or anxiety, trouble concentrating, fast or irregular heartbeat, shaking, restlessness, sweating, hunger, drowsiness, fatigue, confusion. When your blood sugar is low, you may notice symptoms such as not being able to eat or drink, seizures or convulsions, unconsciousness.

Nocturnal hypoglycemia is difficult to detect because symptoms occur while they are asleep. People who sleep with the sick person may notice these symptoms, such as crying or having nightmares, sweating enough to wet pajamas or bed sheets, feeling tired, irritable or confused after waking up, tremors, changes in breathing rate (suddenly fast or slow breathing), changes in heart rate.

Another way to detect nocturnal hypoglycemia is to use a continuous blood glucose monitor (CGM). The CGM is a device that checks blood glucose levels regularly day and night. It will have a warning if the blood sugar drops quickly and an alarm will sound if the blood sugar is too low. The device is large enough that a person would wake up with nocturnal hypoglycemia.

Risk factors and ways to prevent them

Several factors cause nocturnal hypoglycemia such as exercising before bed, drinking alcohol before bed, skipping a meal (usually dinner), having an infection. If you have low blood sugar and need to raise your blood sugar immediately, apply the 15/15 rule. You eat at least 15 grams of carbohydrates by drinking half a glass of juice or half a can of soft drink, using a tablespoon of honey, eating 4-5 crackers, 3-4 candies. Check your blood sugar after 15 minutes.

There are several ways to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia such as checking blood sugar before bed, using a continuous blood glucose monitor, and avoiding skipping dinner. You should note the appropriate exercise time, monitor the amount of alcohol you drink, eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Check your blood sugar before going to bed

People with diabetes should check their blood sugar before going to bed to limit nighttime hypoglycemia. If your blood sugar is low, eat a healthy meal before bed. A small drop in blood sugar takes just one snack. If you inject insulin, you can temporarily reduce your insulin dose, but you should consult with your doctor.

Know the symptoms of low blood sugar at night

Symptoms of hypoglycemia such as sweating; trembling; changes in breathing, heart rate; fatigue… When you have low blood sugar at night, you may wake up with these symptoms or with a higher glycemic index as a result of your body’s response to a low overnight.

Don’t skip dinner

Skipping dinner or just snacking is one of the most common causes of low blood sugar at night. Eat a healthy, balanced dinner at night and pay attention to portion sizes.

Avoid exercising too much at night

People with diabetes should exercise regularly but should not exercise strenuously in the two hours before bed because it can lower blood sugar overnight. If your blood sugar is less than 100 mg/dL at bedtime (if you exercise) double your snack to prevent unwanted hypoglycemia during sleep.

Limit alcohol at night

Drinking alcohol can also increase the risk of low blood sugar at night, so avoid drinking alcohol regularly. On special occasions, you should only drink in moderation, no more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.

Prepare food

If you frequently wake up with symptoms of low blood sugar, have something by your bedside, such as soda or some juice. If your blood sugar is low at night, you should talk to your doctor about changing your diabetes treatment plan to better control your nighttime blood sugar levels.

Kim Uyen
(According to Everydayhealth)