5 Tips to Prevent Blood Sugar from Dropping at Night
Sulay Shah, M.D.
Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar or low blood glucose, occurs when blood glucose levels drop below normal—which is typically below a level of 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). With levels more commonly ‘dipping’ at nighttime, otherwise referred to as nighttime hypoglycemia, this condition affects mostly patients with diabetes.
Potentially adjust your exercise routine. Though you can exercise at any time of the day, Dr. Shah warns that aerobic exercises, like swimming or running on a treadmill, can cause your blood sugar to dip, whereas anaerobic exercises, such as weight lifting, can cause your blood sugar to increase. Therefore, Dr. Shah encourages individuals to start with anaerobic exercises and then transition to aerobic exercises.“Before you work out, check your blood glucose. If your blood sugar is below 80 mg/dL, eat at least 10 to 15 grams of carbohydrates—such as ¾ of an apple—before the workout and another 10 to 15 grams after,” says Dr. Shah.He continues, “As always, you must modify your insulin accordingly.” As explained by Dr. Shah, roughly 5 to 6 hours after you exercise the body becomes more insulin sensitive and muscles will utilize blood sugar to counteract the stress of the exercise.
Understand your risk factors. Certain patient populations, such as older adults and those with diseases of the kidney or liver, need to make sure that their blood sugars are not too tightly controlled. “Talk with with your physician so they can modify your glycemic target to keep you in safe range,” Dr. Shah says.
Treatment for hypoglycemia involves both the immediate steps needed to raise your blood sugar level in addition with the later treatment or medication dose adjustment to prevent recurrence.
To immediately raise your blood sugar level, Dr. Shah advocates the rule of 15—eating 15 grams of carbohydrates and then checking your blood sugar level 15 minutes later. Fast-acting carbohydrates include:
4 ounces of fruit juices
“Keep repeating these steps every 15 minutes until your blood sugar reaches above 70 mg/dL,” he explains. Once your level has stabilized, it’s important to then eat a snack or even a full meal to maintain that balance, Dr. Shah adds.
“If your symptoms are more severe and/or a person is unable to swallow, you may need an injection of glucagon,” he says.
To prevent episodes of hypoglycemia in the future, Dr. Shah says that treatment may involve the changing of prescribed regimens and dosages or adjusting your meal plans.
Why is it important to treat hypoglycemia?
If hypoglycemic episodes are frequent and left unaddressed , Dr. Shah explains that patients can put themselves at risk for several medical problems including:
What are the signs of hypoglycemia?
An individual may frequently wake up in the middle of the night as a result of nighttime hypoglycemia. In other instances, though, people may know if they experienced hypoglycemia during their sleep if they notice the following symptoms:
Getting unusual feelings of tiredness throughout the day
Experiencing anxiety or heart palpitations
Feeling confused, dizzy or weak
Who else can be affected by hypoglycemia besides the diabetic population?
According to Dr. Shah, diabetics are more at risk of being diagnosed with hypoglycemia. However, the expert notes that there are non-diabetics who may be at risk of developing hypoglycemia, including those with carbohydrate sensitivities or those who had undergone gastric bypass surgery.
Are there any newer technologies to prevent hypoglycemia?
Dr. Shah is located at the Hackensack Meridian Health Medical Group Diabetes Center, part of Hackensack Meridian Health Medical Group. Call 732-360-4070 to schedule an appointment at the office in Old Bridge.
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