When you have hypoglycemia or low blood sugar you may feel tired or distracted and unable to focus. Other symptoms may include: shakiness, sweating and a rapid heart rate. Since normal blood sugar falls in the range of 60-110mg/dl some people begin to feel hypoglycemic when their blood sugar falls below 60 mg/dl. What's happening is that your cells do not have the glucose(blood sugar) they need to give you energy.

When you have diabetes hypoglycemia can be a result of:

• taking too much insulin or medication
• exercising more than normal
• not eating enough carbohydrates

If you do not have diabetes, low blood sugar can be caused by other medical problems. Many people claim to have hypoglycemia when they feel weak or get a headache about six to eight hours after eating but this is just your body's way of signaling that you are hungry and need to eat. There is also a condition known as reactive hypoglycemia when your body produces too much insulin after a meal causing your blood sugar to drop rapidly about two to four hours after a meal.

This is general information only and should not replace advice or instructions given to you by your physician.

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