What causes low blood sugar?

Apr 17, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Generally, low blood sugar may be caused by factors such as hunger, excessive physical activity, improper diabetes treatment, adrenal insufficiency, hepatitis, and others. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate symptomatic treatment. In daily life, it is advisable to drink plenty of warm water, maintain a light diet, avoid staying up late, which will benefit recovery.

Generally, low blood sugar may be caused by factors such as hunger, excessive exercise, improper diabetes management, adrenal cortical insufficiency, hepatitis, and others. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Hunger: Prolonged fasting or inadequate food intake may deprive the body of sufficient energy, leading to decreased blood glucose levels, possibly accompanied by dizziness. It is recommended to promptly replenish glucose, for example, by consuming high-sugar foods such as chocolate or candy.

2. Excessive exercise: Intense or prolonged physical activity can lead to significant energy consumption. If energy is not replenished in time, blood glucose levels may drop, potentially accompanied by muscle weakness. It is advisable to consume sugary foods or drinks, such as candy or sports beverages, to quickly raise blood sugar levels.

3. Improper diabetes treatment: When diabetic patients take excessive insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents—such as insulin aspart injection, insulin degludec injection, or orlistat capsules—low blood sugar may occur, possibly causing dizziness. In such cases, medication should be stopped immediately and sugary foods or drinks consumed. If continued diabetes treatment is needed, drug dosages should be adjusted under a doctor's guidance.

4. Adrenal cortical insufficiency: This condition may be related to factors such as drug abuse or genetic predisposition. The disease may lead to low blood sugar and may be accompanied by skin pigmentation. Patients are advised to follow medical instructions and use medications such as spironolactone tablets, betamethasone tablets, or prednisolone acetate tablets for treatment.

5. Hepatitis: This may be associated with factors such as heavy alcohol consumption or viral infection. Impaired liver function resulting from hepatitis may affect sugar metabolism and storage, leading to low blood sugar. Patients are advised to follow medical instructions and use medications such as bicyclol tablets, recombinant human interferon α2b injection, or anluohuaxian pills for treatment.

In daily life, it is recommended to drink plenty of warm water, maintain a light diet, avoid staying up late, and adopt habits beneficial to recovery.