Reactive hypoglycemia, sometimes called postprandial hypoglycemia, happens when blood sugar drops after a meal — usually within four hours after eating. Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include: Shakiness. Dizziness or lightheadedness.
It's likely the result of your body making too much insulin after a large, carb-heavy meal. Scientists aren't sure why, but sometimes your body continues to release extra insulin even after you've digested your meal. This added insulin makes your blood glucose level drop below normal.
Throughout the day, after eating, a normal blood sugar reading would be below 140 mg/dL. For those with diabetes, targets are generally 80-130 mg/dL before a meal and below 180 mg/dL 1 to 2 hours after eating. But how low is too low? You're considered hypoglycemic if your glucose dips to 70 mg/dL or less.
Here are the normal blood sugar ranges for a person without diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association: Fasting blood sugar (in the morning, before eating): Less than 100 mg/dL. 1-2 hours after a meal: Less than 140 mg/dL. 2-3 hours after eating: Less than 100 mg/dL.
When it comes to eating sweets, you hear a lot about high blood sugar, but taking in too much sugar can also cause bouts of low blood sugar. In most cases, the period of low blood sugar happens a couple of hours after eating the sweets, as a counter-response to high blood sugar.
Blood sugar below 55 mg/dL is considered severely low. You won't be able to treat it using the 15-15 rule. You also may not be able to check your own blood sugar or treat it by yourself, depending on your symptoms.
What Are Normal Blood Sugar Levels? They're less than 100 mg/dL after not eating (fasting) for at least 8 hours. And they're less than 140 mg/dL 2 hours after eating. During the day, levels tend to be at their lowest just before meals.
A blood sugar level of 71 mg/dL is considered normal.
Typically, this occurs when your blood glucose level is lower than 70 mg/dL.
What is Low Blood Sugar? Low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia. A blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is low and can harm you. A blood sugar level below 54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) is a cause for immediate action.
Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.
The dawn phenomenon leads to high levels of blood sugar, a condition called hyperglycemia. It usually happens between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Eat a balanced diet that includes high-fiber foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Avoid sugary foods and processed simple carbohydrates, such as white bread or white pasta, especially on an empty stomach.
Hypoglycemia is frequently observed in patients with diabetes mellitus but is uncommon in patients without diabetes. Hypoglycemia in patients without diabetes may be due to a variety of causes. Therefore, it is important to take a thorough clinical history and examination.
For the majority of healthy individuals, normal blood sugar levels are as follows: Between 4.0 to 5.4 mmol/L (72 to 99 mg/dL) when fasting [361] Up to 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) 2 hours after eating.
If you have diabetes, you'll need to check your blood sugar, also called glucose, to know if it's too high, too low, or meets your goal. A diabetic coma could happen when your blood sugar gets too high -- 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or more -- causing you to become very dehydrated.
Measuring your blood glucose after a meal is important because that is typically when our blood glucose levels are at their highest. Food takes some time to be broken down into usable energy, but most of the food you consume will be digested and raise your blood glucose in one to two hours.
Fruits that provide the appropriate amount of carbohydrates include half a banana, 15 grapes, two tablespoons of raisins or a small apple or orange. Fruit juice can also boost blood sugar levels. Norton suggests half a cup (4 ounces ) of your favorite fruit juice, such as apple, orange, pineapple or cranberry juice.
Hypoglycemia needs immediate treatment. For many people, a fasting blood sugar of 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 3.9 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), or below should serve as an alert for hypoglycemia. But your numbers might be different. Ask your health care provider.
The 15-15 rule—have 15 grams of carbohydrate to raise your blood glucose and check it after 15 minutes. If it's still below 70 mg/dL, have another serving. Repeat these steps until your blood glucose is at least 70 mg/dL.
Coma can occur at glucose levels in the range of 2.3–2.7 mmol/l (41–49 mg/dl) (9) as well as at lower glucose levels.