What are the symptoms or manifestations of hypoglycemia?
Sep 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
During a hypoglycemic episode, the body may exhibit signs of neurological excitation, cognitive abnormalities, and physical discomfort, mainly including symptoms of sympathetic nervous system activation, impaired cognitive function, abnormal limb sensations, changes in emotional and mental status, and in severe cases, disturbances of consciousness. It is important to maintain regular meals in daily life, avoid prolonged fasting or excessive dieting, and diabetic patients should follow medical advice regarding medication and regularly monitor blood glucose levels.
Generally, during a hypoglycemic episode, the body exhibits signs of neurological excitation, cognitive abnormalities, and physical discomfort, mainly including symptoms of sympathetic nervous system activation, impaired cognitive function, abnormal limb sensations, changes in mood and mental status, and in severe cases, disturbances of consciousness. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Symptoms of Sympathetic Nervous System Activation: When blood glucose drops rapidly, the body initiates a stress response, causing palpitations, hand tremors, cold sweats, increased heart rate, and pallor. When these early warning signals appear, timely sugar intake usually quickly alleviates symptoms and prevents worsening of the condition.
2. Cognitive Dysfunction: The brain relies on glucose for energy, and low blood sugar affects brain function, leading to difficulty concentrating, slowed reactions, and an inability to understand speech or perform simple calculations quickly. Some people may experience temporary memory decline, forgetting what just happened.
3. Abnormal Limb Sensations: Hypoglycemia may affect peripheral nerve perception, causing numbness, tingling in the hands and feet, or limb weakness and soreness, such as arm weakness when lifting objects or leg weakness while walking. Discomfort is mostly concentrated in the extremities and gradually subsides as blood glucose levels rise.
4. Changes in Emotional and Mental Status: Blood sugar fluctuations affect emotional regulation; during hypoglycemia, individuals may become irritable, easily angered, suddenly anxious, or tense. Some may appear indifferent, listless, and lose interest in activities. Children or adolescents experiencing hypoglycemia may cry easily or show emotional instability.
5. Disturbance of Consciousness in Severe Cases: If blood glucose remains critically low without correction, symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, or even coma may occur. At this stage, patients are unable to move voluntarily and show delayed or no response to external stimuli, indicating a critical condition.
Routine management includes regular meals, avoiding prolonged fasting or excessive dieting. Diabetic patients should follow medical advice regarding medication and regularly monitor blood glucose levels. When hypoglycemic symptoms occur, timely intake of candy or sugary drinks can help rapidly relieve discomfort and maintain stable blood glucose levels.
