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.
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.
Reactive hypoglycemia is a drop in blood glucose (sugar) that occurs after eating. Symptoms usually develop within four hours of consuming food and may include shakiness, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and sweating.
The most common cause of feeling shaky after meal is a fluctuation in your blood sugar levels. However, it may not always be the case.
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.
Food Sensitivity & Intolerance
The most common cause of symptoms like nausea, racing heartbeat and fatigue is a food intolerance. Food allergies are generally more serious and can cause symptoms like a numb mouth, severe stomach cramping, swollen tongue or feelings of breathlessness.
Feeling shaky is a common symptom of anxiety and one that most people have experienced at some point in their life. It's sometimes possible for shaking to be the only symptom or one of the first symptoms people notice when they're feeling nervous.
What is reactive hypoglycemia? Reactive hypoglycemia occurs when your body experiences low blood sugar after a meal. “It typically occurs about 2 hours after a meal,” says Zumpano, “and can sometimes even happen up to 4 hours after eating.”
Insert a test strip into your meter. Prick your finger with a small, sharp needle called a lancet, then gently squeeze and massage your finger until a drop of blood forms. Touch and hold the end of the test strip to the drop of blood. The meter will display your blood glucose level on a screen after a few seconds.
If you are struggling to get up in the morning; feeling a total lack of energy or 'fogginess' or not able to perform the tasks you normally do as simply too exhausted it may be that you actually are suffering from fatigue... and it could be a side effect of your diabetes.
The most common way to do so is by using a blood glucose meter. If you have hypoglycemia unawareness or have low blood glucose often, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) may be a good option. The CGM measures your blood glucose level at regular times and can sound an alarm if it drops below your target range.
Diseases or disorders, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, or Parkinson's disease. Mercury poisoning from food or the environment. This can cause muscle weakness, tremor, and poor coordination.
A full-blown panic attack can leave you feeling dizzy, tired, and shaky. It can also cause nausea and vomiting. But many other things can cause these same symptoms including the flu, a stomach virus, or very low blood sugar. Parkinson's disease also causes a shaking or tremor and often leaves someone weak and dizzy.
Sudden dizziness can stem from ear problems, low blood pressure, mental health conditions, and other issues. Lying still in a darkened room may help, but some causes need medical treatment.
Postprandial (literally “after eating”) hypotension (low blood pressure) is a surprisingly common cause of dizziness after eating, affecting about a third of older adults. After we eat, the body diverts extra blood flow to the digestive system to absorb nutrients from the recent meal.
Reactive hypoglycemia is symptomatic, and occurs due to an abnormally rapid rise in blood glucose after eating, followed by an equally steep crash. It occurs repeatedly in affected individuals, and is considered a prediabetic state.
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.
Reactive hypoglycemia is a rare form of the condition, which doctors classify as nondiabetic hypoglycemia. It occurs when blood sugar levels are below 70 milligrams/deciliter. This often occurs approximately 2–4 hours after a meal. Symptoms subside quickly after eating or drinking carbohydrates.