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- Kathleen Ferraro
- You Have Low Blood Sugar. One possible reason why you can crave sugar in the morning is that you have low blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
- It's a Habit. If you're still craving sugar in the morning despite having normal blood sugar levels, your desire for something sweet could be the result of your dietary habits.
- You're Not Eating Enough. If you've gone too long without eating, your body will crave quick energy in the form of sugar and processed carbs, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
- You're Stressed. Ever lay awake at night replaying an embarrassing moment or stressing about tomorrow's work day? Well, this could be the reason why you crave sugar in the middle of the night or when you wake up.
- Ravenous Hunger. If you suddenly, inexplicably feel as if you’re starving, your body is signaling that it’s experiencing a blood sugar drop, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
- Feelings of Anxiety. When glucose levels fall too low, your body releases the hormones epinephrine (also called adrenaline) and cortisol, which signals the liver to release more sugar into the blood, notes Harvard Health Publishing.
- Restless Nights. Nocturnal hypoglycemia, which accounts for about half of all low blood glucose episodes, can cause a number of sleep disturbances, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
- Shakes and Tremors. Shakiness is a symptom that occurs when the autonomic nervous system is activated during hypoglycemia, according to research. RELATED: 8 Ways to Sleep Better When You Have Type 2 Diabetes.
These signs and symptoms of a dropping blood glucose level can develop quickly. These symptoms are caused by the release of the “fight-or-flight” hormone called epinephrine (adrenaline). It is the release of adrenaline that causes the symptoms of low blood glucose such as thumping heart, sweating, tingling, and anxiety.
Jul 10, 2024 · Symptoms may include shakiness, sweating, confusion, irritability, and in severe cases, seizures or loss of consciousness. Managing fasting hypoglycemia often involves addressing the underlying ...
- Overview
- What are the symptoms of low blood sugar in the morning?
- What causes low blood sugar in the morning?
- How can I treat low blood sugar in the morning?
- How can I prevent low blood sugar in the morning?
- The bottom line
Your body uses blood sugar, called glucose, as a source of energy for cells and organs. Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, happens when your body doesn’t have enough glucose to use for energy.
People with diabetes mellitus may have low blood sugar in the morning due to too much long-acting insulin, also called background insulin and basal insulin. Insulin helps to manage blood sugar by allowing glucose to enter your cells, where it can be turned into energy. Too much insulin of any kind can cause low blood sugar. Some noninsulin medications to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus can cause hypoglycemia also.
People without diabetes can also have low blood sugar, known as non-diabetic hypoglycemia. This is usually caused by lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise habits.
Low blood sugar is usually defined as a glucose reading below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Readings below 54 mg/dL are more significant and signal that you may need immediate medical treatment.
If you have low blood sugar in the morning, you may wake up with some of these symptoms:
•headache
•sweating
•dry mouth
•nausea
•lightheadedness
The causes of low blood sugar in the morning vary. If you have diabetes, you likely need to adjust your background insulin levels. Make sure you’re aware of how any other medications you take can affect your blood sugar. Your doctor can help you make sure that your insulin dosage and any other medications you take are a good fit with your diet and exercise routines. Additionally, alcohol usage is a risk for hypoglycemia.
If you don’t have diabetes, hypoglycemia is less likely to occur. However, some non-diabetes-related causes of hypoglycemia include the following:
•drinking too much alcohol the previous night, which makes it harder for your liver to release glucose into your blood, thus causing a low blood sugar
•chronic starvation
•severe liver disease
•certain diseases involving the pancreas
Treating low blood sugar is fairly simple. If you wake up with hypoglycemia symptoms, try to consume about 15 grams of carbohydrates as soon as possible. Snacks that provide this include:
•3 glucose tablets
•1/2 cup of non-sugar-free fruit juice
•1 tablespoon of honey
•1/2 can of non-diet soda
Make sure you don’t eat too much to treat low blood sugar, as this can have an opposite affect and make your levels too high. Wait 15 minutes after your first snack. If you’re not feeling better, have another 15 grams of carbohydrates. Pairing your carbohydrate with a protein and healthy source of fat, such as nuts, seeds, cheese, or hummus, helps to keep you full and prevent another big drop in blood sugar.
If you have diabetes, make sure you regularly check your glucose levels, especially before bed. If your blood sugar regularly dips while you sleep, consider using a continuous glucose monitoring device, which alerts you when your blood sugar goes too low or too high. Try to follow these guidelines for healthy glucose levels:
•before breakfast: 70–130 mg/dL
•before lunch, dinner, or a snack: 70–130 mg/dL
•two hours after meals: under 180 mg/dL
•bedtime: 90–150 mg/dL
If you don’t have diabetes but experience regular hypoglycemia, you may also want to periodically check your glucose levels. Try to keep your glucose level from dropping below 100 mg/dL throughout the day and before bed.
Managing hypoglycemia is fairly simple for people with and without diabetes, but you might need to try a few things before you find what works for you. If you do have diabetes, make sure you work with your doctor to make any adjustments to your medications or insulin dosing. Your physician will be able to help you find and treat the underlying caus...
Jun 30, 2020 · Untreated hypoglycemia can lead to a seizure and be life-threatening. [1] Both you and your sleep partner should be prepared to treat this condition. If you wake up with signs of hypoglycemia, or if your sleep partner wakes you and you are aware enough to manage low blood sugar, check your blood sugar with your glucose monitor. [1-3]
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Dec 23, 2023 · Treating Hypoglycemia. If you do have to treat your hypoglycemia to immediately raise your blood sugar levels, use the rule of 15: Eat 15 grams of carbohydrates (this can include four glucose tablets or four ounces of fruit juice) Check the blood sugar 15 minutes later. 4 Sources.
