Sudden Headaches in the Middle of the Day? This Might Be Why

The human body has an efficient system designed to balance blood sugar levels. After sugar is consumed from food, insulin is released—a hormone that helps cells absorb glucose, which is converted into energy. This is typical for healthy individuals, but fluctuations in sugar levels are not exclusive to diabetes patients.

What is Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a condition where blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg/dL. In healthy people, this can occur due to fasting, skipping meals, or excessive exercise. In diabetic patients, it might be caused by excessive insulin intake, leading to a drastic drop in blood sugar levels.

Causes of Hypoglycemia:

• Prolonged Hunger - Individuals suffering from anorexia or eating disorders do not consume enough food, resulting in insufficient carbohydrate intake, which generates glucose.
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption - Drinking large amounts of alcohol can prevent the liver from releasing a hormone called glucagon, which releases energy into the bloodstream. Many feel hungry and have a strong urge to eat after drinking alcohol.
• Medications - Taking certain medications can also cause hypoglycemia, especially antimalarial drugs, some antibiotics, and treatments for pneumonia.
• Excess Insulin Production - A tumor in the pancreas that secretes and produces too much insulin can cause hypoglycemia. When insulin levels are too high, blood sugar levels drop.
• Diseases - Diseases causing liver failure, heart problems, and kidney disease may lead to imbalances in blood sugar levels. Liver malfunction can result in inadequate glucose production, and decreased kidney function can prolong insulin activity, leading to blood sugar drops.

In non-diabetic individuals, hypoglycemia can occur from releasing too much insulin after a meal, causing an extreme drop in blood sugar levels. This is known as reactive hypoglycemia, occurring hours after a carb-rich meal. Excess carbohydrates cause an over-release of insulin that continues after carbohydrates are digested, leading to hypoglycemic symptoms.

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia Include:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Pale skin
• Trembling
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Dizziness, confusion, and headaches
• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Seizures
• Fast heartbeats
• Increased hunger
• Irritability
• Loss of consciousness, coma, and in rare cases, death

A person might notice hypoglycemia symptoms, but to be sure if they are experiencing hypoglycemia, they need to test their blood sugar levels. If this is not possible, it is recommended to follow steps for treating hypoglycemia as advised by a doctor or to seek medical attention if symptoms are severe.

How to Maintain Balanced Sugar Levels

A person with diabetes can take steps to reduce, prevent, and treat blood sugar level fluctuations. These include:

• Close Monitoring of Blood Sugar Levels - It's essential for those diagnosed with diabetes to track their blood sugar levels as recommended by their doctor. This helps diagnose and detect hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia before they become problems. It's advisable to use continuous glucose monitors without pricks, which display blood sugar measurements on a mobile device’s screen at any time.
• Exercise - Physical activity uses excess glucose in the blood. However, one should avoid exercising if there's severe hyperglycemia and ketones in the urine, as it can accelerate ketoacidosis.
• Dietary Changes - Managing food intake during meals and reducing snacks, along with monitoring carbohydrate quality and quantity, helps maintain manageable glucose levels. A dietitian can help diabetics design a suitable diet gradually and healthily.
• Stress Management - Stress, pressure, and high levels of tension can affect hormones and blood sugar levels. It's important for diabetics to find ways to relieve stress, using relaxation techniques and meditation.

Managing diabetes is an ongoing and often lifelong effort. Usually, a diabetes clinic team can identify problems and help individuals find ways to prevent severe fluctuations.

Prof. Julio Weinstein is the Director of Diabetes Research at Wolfson Hospital and a senior diabetes physician at DMC Diabetes Clinic.