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What Causes Low Blood Sugar Without Diabetes?
People without diabetes can get hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This can happen if you take certain medications, have a severe infection, or have other serious issues affecting your organs.
Hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when the sugar levels (glucose) in your blood are too low. Many people think of hypoglycemia as something that occurs only in people with diabetes. However, it can also occur in people who don't have diabetes.
It can happen in people who don't have diabetes but have other underlying conditions or from drinking too much alcohol.
Hypoglycemia can happen in people with diabetes if the body produces too much insulin, which is a hormone that breaks down sugar so that you can use it for energy. You can also get hypoglycemia if you have diabetes and you take too much insulin.
If you don't have diabetes, hypoglycemia can happen when you don't have enough sugar in your blood or if your body can't stabilize your blood sugar level. This occurs in people without diabetes when your level drops below 55 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Low blood sugar means your body doesn't have enough energy to properly function or carry out its activities.
Nondiabetic hypoglycemia can result from using certain medications, consuming alcohol in excess, skipping meals, or an underlying health condition.
You receive glucose (your body's main energy source) from food. Because of that, you might have a drop in blood sugar after going several hours without food or if you don't eat before a workout. In both cases, eating can help stabilize your blood sugar.
On the other hand, ongoing problems with nondiabetic hypoglycemia (not related to food intake) might indicate a decrease in insulin production. This may be related to issues with your:
Hypoglycemia in people without diabetes is less common than hypoglycemia which occurs in people who have diabetes or related conditions.
Everyone reacts differently to fluctuations in their blood sugar levels. Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include:
You may have hypoglycemia without symptoms. This is known as hypoglycemia unawareness.
Hypoglycemia is either reactive or nonreactive. The two types have different causes.
Reactive hypoglycemiaReactive hypoglycemia occurs within a few hours after a meal. An overproduction of insulin causes reactive hypoglycemia. Having reactive hypoglycemia may mean you're at risk of developing diabetes.
Nonreactive hypoglycemiaNonreactive hypoglycemia isn't necessarily related to meals and may be due to an underlying condition. Causes of nonreactive, or fasting, hypoglycemia include:
Although rare, a tumor of the pancreas can cause the body to make too much insulin or an insulin-like substance, resulting in hypoglycemia. Hormone deficiencies can also cause hypoglycemia because hormones control blood sugar levels.
Dumping syndromeIf you've had surgery on your stomach to relieve symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, you may be at risk for a condition known as dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome also occurs in people who have had gastric bypass surgery.
In late dumping syndrome, the body releases excess insulin in response to carbohydrate-rich meals. That can result in hypoglycemia and related symptoms.
Possible causes of hypoglycemia without diabetesSeveral factors can cause hypoglycemia, even if you don't have diabetes. Causes of hypoglycemia without diabetes include:
Causes of hypoglycemia in people with diabetes include:
Hypoglycemia without diabetes can occur in both children and adults. You're at an increased risk of developing hypoglycemia if you:
A doctor needs to identify the cause of your hypoglycemia to determine the right treatment for you.
Glucose will help boost your blood sugar levels in the short term. One way to get additional glucose is to consume 15 grams of carbohydrates.
Drinking fruit juice can help get extra glucose into your bloodstream. These sources of glucose often briefly correct hypoglycemia, but then another drop in blood sugar often follows.
Eating foods high in complex carbohydrates, such as pasta and whole grains, can sustain blood sugar levels after a period of hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia can become so severe that they interfere with daily routines and activities. If you have severe hypoglycemia, you might need to carry glucose tablets or injectable glucagon.
Hypoglycemia can occur in a fasting state, meaning you've gone for an extended period without eating. A doctor may request a fasting test that requires someone to fast for 8 hours prior.
Another test is a mixed-meal tolerance test. This test is for people who experience hypoglycemia after eating.
The results are usually available within a day or 2. If your blood sugar level is lower than 55 mg/dl, you may have hypoglycemia.
Keep track of your symptoms with a symptom diary. This information can help with diagnosis. The diary should include:
Unmanaged hypoglycemia can cause long-term health problems. Your body needs glucose to function. Without the right level of glucose, your body will have difficulty performing its normal functions. As a result, you may have difficulty thinking clearly and performing daily tasks.
Serious side effectsIf left untreated, hypoglycemia can have several serious side effects that may include:
If you're experiencing any of these complications, you or someone near you should seek emergency medical care.
Hypoglycemia unawarenessHypoglycemia unawareness occurs when you don't experience early warning symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as hunger, sweating, and shakiness.
For this reason, you may not realize that your blood sugar levels have dropped, which can make you more susceptible to severe symptoms of hypoglycemia.
If you think that you may have hypoglycemia unawareness, you can talk with a doctor to determine the best course of treatment.
This may include checking your blood sugar levels more frequently, adjusting your medications, or working with a certified diabetes educator to learn to recognize the warning signs of hypoglycemia.
Long-term complicationsHaving low blood sugar levels can increase your risk of many conditions, including heart disease.
In fact, research shows that severe hypoglycemia could be linked to a higher risk of heart disease and death in people with type 2 diabetes.
In some cases, changes to your diet and eating schedule can resolve hypoglycemia and prevent future episodes. Follow these tips to prevent hypoglycemia:
If you don't have diabetesEven if you don't have diabetes, it's important to eat regularly to prevent hypoglycemia. Ideally, meals and snacks should contain a balance of carbs, protein, and heart-healthy fats to help support healthy blood sugar levels.
You may also want to keep a few healthy snacks on hand in case you start feeling side effects such as hunger, sweating, or shakiness. Easy snack ideas for low blood sugar levels can include:
If you regularly experience low blood sugar levels, a doctor can determine underlying factors could play a role.
If you have diabetesIf you have diabetes, you can prevent hypoglycemia by:
A doctor or dietitian can help you determine how many carbohydrates you should eat at each meal to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Wearing a medical ID bracelet with basic information about your medical history can also be beneficial in case of an emergency.
What can mimic low blood sugar?Symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, sweating, and headache, can occur with other health conditions, such as heart problems, hyperthyroidism, certain medications, dehydration, and some mental health or psychiatric disorders.
Why would my blood sugar drop if I don't have diabetes?People who do not have diabetes can have low blood sugar due to certain medications, some underlying health conditions, drinking too much alcohol, or skipping meals.
What should I do if my blood sugar is low?If your blood sugar is low, you can try drinking fruit juice or eating a snack, such as trail mix, to help raise your levels.
Hypoglycemia is a serious condition that can occur when your blood sugar levels drop too low. Although it's more common in people with diabetes, it can also occur due to other health conditions.
If left untreated, hypoglycemia can cause serious side effects and long-term health consequences.
However, there are plenty of ways to prevent hypoglycemia, including eating regularly, following a healthy diet, monitoring your blood sugar levels carefully, taking medications as directed by your doctor, and, in some cases, surgery.
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Article resourcesDoes Eating Sugar Cause Diabetes?
Could eating too much sugar cause diabetes?C. Ronald Kahn, M.D. President and Director, Joslin Diabetes Center
Eating a lot of sugar definitely does not cause diabetes, if you don't eat so much sugar that you gain weight.C. Ronald Kahn, M.D. (cont.)
And in fact, sugar to a certain extent, is okay because it stimulates the pancreas to make more insulin which actually helps control the blood sugar. And so, actually you need a certain amount of carbohydrate in your diet to have your pancreas working normally.C. Ronald Kahn, M.D. (cont.)
What I always tell people is that, especially if you're at risk for diabetes, I have people tell me all the time, that I've got a family history of diabetes. I watch how much sugar I eat. And I say that that's not the right focus. The focus for you should be to make sure you keep your weight down, because people who have a family history of diabetes, if they stay thin, have no more risk of diabetes than the general population.C. Ronald Kahn, M.D. (cont.)
But if they become overweight, then their risk is 10 times higher than in the general population. So you can make a difference ten fold in your risk of diabetes if you've got a family history. If you stay thin, it's good, if you gain weight it's bad.","publisher":"WebMD Video"} ]]>
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Narrator
Could eating too much sugar cause diabetes?C. Ronald Kahn, M.D. President and Director, Joslin Diabetes Center
Eating a lot of sugar definitely does not cause diabetes, if you don't eat so much sugar that you gain weight.C. Ronald Kahn, M.D. (cont.)
And in fact, sugar to a certain extent, is okay because it stimulates the pancreas to make more insulin which actually helps control the blood sugar. And so, actually you need a certain amount of carbohydrate in your diet to have your pancreas working normally.C. Ronald Kahn, M.D. (cont.)
What I always tell people is that, especially if you're at risk for diabetes, I have people tell me all the time, that I've got a family history of diabetes. I watch how much sugar I eat. And I say that that's not the right focus. The focus for you should be to make sure you keep your weight down, because people who have a family history of diabetes, if they stay thin, have no more risk of diabetes than the general population.C. Ronald Kahn, M.D. (cont.)
But if they become overweight, then their risk is 10 times higher than in the general population. So you can make a difference ten fold in your risk of diabetes if you've got a family history. If you stay thin, it's good, if you gain weight it's bad.Bacterial Vaginosis Is The Most Common Vaginal Infection In Women — Here's What You Need To Know
Experts explain what cause bacterial vaginosis and how to treat it. (Photo: Getty Images) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the condition affects nearly 30% of women between 15 and 44 years old. However, BV disproportionately impacts Black women, who have an estimated infection rate of more than 50%.
BV occurs when there's an overgrowth of bacteria, according to the Mayo Clinic, which throws off the natural pH balance of the vagina.
What causes bacterial vaginosis?Bacterial vaginosis is most often caused by an overgrowth of a common type of bacteria called gardnerella vaginalis. Certain risk factors, such as douching, can disrupt the balance of "good" and "bad" bacteria in the vagina, leading to this overgrowth.
BV can happen to anyone with a vagina, even if you're not sexually active. However, occurrence in those who are not sexually active is rare.
You're at higher risk for getting BV if you're pregnant; have a new sex partner, a female sex partner or multiple sex partners; don't use condoms or dental dams; use douches; or have an intrauterine device (IUD).
There is no foolproof way of avoiding bacterial vaginosis. But you can reduce your risk by not douching, limiting sex partners, using latex condoms or dental dams and wearing cotton or cotton-lined underwear.
What are the symptoms?Dr. Jennifer Wider tells Yahoo Life, "Sometimes there are no symptoms, but if there are, the most common include an off-white, gray or greenish, watery vaginal discharge [and] a 'fishy' odor that can be strongest during the period or after sex. A less common symptom is itchiness or soreness."
Dr. Kecia Gaither, director of perinatal services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx points out to Yahoo Life that some people think bacterial vaginosis is a sexually transmitted infection, "hence the stigma," she says. "But it is not."
However, BV can increase your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, according to the CDC. That, in turn, can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. Having BV when you're pregnant also increases the risk of preterm birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy).
BV is sometimes mistaken for other conditions like a non-viral STI called trichomoniasis, as well as other bacterial infections including chlamydia and gonorrhea.
According to Cleveland Clinic, the most common mix-up occurs between bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections because both are bacterial infections that cause increased discharge. However, there are notable differences between the two infections: discharge with bacterial vaginosis has a fishy smell and is watery in consistency, while discharge from a yeast infection is thick and white with a cottage cheese-like appearance and there isn't a strong odor.
Typically, BV doesn't cause irritation or itchiness, but a yeast infection will. Finally, yeast infections can be treated with over-the counter-medications or with an antifungal medication, while you will need prescription antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis.
How do you treat bacterial vaginosis?The good news is that bacterial vaginosis is curable. The infection is diagnosed through a sample of vaginal fluid taken through a gynecological exam and sent to a lab. After diagnosis, treatment usually involves a seven-day course of antibiotics. Gaither explains that "multiple therapeutic medications have been utilized for treatment like metronidazole, clindamycin and tinidazole."
However, not finishing the full course of antibiotics can trigger a relapse, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Also, in a small percentage of cases, people may need a second treatment. Unfortunately, research shows that BV has a high rate of recurrence — a 2021 study found that BV will recur within six months in more than 50% of cases.
Bacterial vaginosis is thankfully considered a mild infection, but it can make you susceptible to more serious health conditions. If you experience any of the symptoms, don't delay seeing your medical provider.
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