{"id":1343,"date":"2021-11-02T05:45:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-02T05:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ultrahumanblog.analysedigital.com\/?p=1343"},"modified":"2022-12-14T14:14:10","modified_gmt":"2022-12-14T08:44:10","slug":"nocturnal-hypoglycemia-symptoms-and-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.ultrahuman.com\/blog\/nocturnal-hypoglycemia-symptoms-and-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"Nocturnal Hypoglycemia: Symptoms and prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Here\u2019s a scenario we would like you to assume. Your alarm didn\u2019t go off and you woke up late. You skipped your breakfast and rushed to your workplace. As soon as you entered the office you got stuck in a long meeting that went past the lunch hour. It is now 4 p.m. and suddenly you start feeling a little bit dizzy. You haven\u2019t eaten anything since your dinner last night and your body is starving. What you are experiencing is hypoglycemia. Luckily for you, a colleague offers you a protein bar and upon eating it you may have felt much better. <\/p>\n\n\n
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Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Nocturnal hypoglycemia occurs when a person\u2019s blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg\/dL when they are sleeping<\/em>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Various factors like diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, and daytime blood glucose levels, play a big role in determining the symptoms of nocturnal hypoglycemia in a person<\/em>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It is recommended to check one\u2019s blood glucose levels hourly and can be done with the help of a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor).<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Hypoglycemia is a condition in which the glucose levels in the bloodstream drop too low. Everyone\u2019s blood glucose levels are different at different times, depending on their fitness and diet, among other factors. However, for most people, a blood glucose level below 70 mg\/dL (milligram per deciliter) is considered low. Severe hypoglycemia is labelled as \u2018low blood sugar\u2019 when there is excessive insulin in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To understand this condition better, we need to learn about glucose metabolism first. Our bodies need energy, much like a machine needs fuel to run. Glucose is the main source of fuel for our cells and the amount of glucose present in our bloodstream is controlled by Insulin, a hormone created by the pancreas. Insulin helps store glucose in the liver, fat, and muscles, and regulates the body\u2019s metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. After eating, blood glucose levels rise and insulin helps the cells to absorb blood sugar for energy and storage. Post-absorption, glucose levels in the bloodstream begin to decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pancreas then produces glucagon, a hormone that prompts the liver to break down glycogen (stored sugar) into glucose and release it into the bloodstream. This ensures stable blood glucose levels in the body and the brain. However, when these glycogen stores are depleted and there is no immediate replenishment, then the body can go into hypoglycemia. When you get hypoglycemia during the day, you are aware of it and you can take measures to remedy it. However, what about when you get hypoglycemia during the night or nocturnal hypoglycemia? To answer that, let\u2019s first understand the mechanics of nocturnal hypoglycemia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is Nocturnal Hypoglycemia?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Nocturnal hypoglycemia is a medical term for hypoglycemia episodes occurring when a person sleeps and the blood glucose levels fall below 70 mg\/dL, with severe cases reporting a drop in blood glucose level down to 50 mg\/dL. Research suggests that approximately half of all the phases of declined blood glucose\u2014and more than half of all severe ones\u2014take place at night during sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Does Nocturnal hypoglycemia Occur?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Nocturnal hypoglycemia can occur in people who:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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