A blood sugar crash refers to a sudden drop in blood sugar (glucose) levels. The body responds to sugar intake by producing and releasing insulin into the bloodstream.
Insulin is a hormone that pulls glucose into cells to be used for energy and helps keep blood sugar level within the normal range. When there is too much insulin in your blood, it can drop below what’s normal.
A sugar crash, also called hypoglycemia, is typically characterized by a level below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). It’s normal to have varying levels throughout the day, but low blood sugar can cause severe complications.
Anyone can experience, but it’s especially common in people with diabetes, whose body may not produce enough or any insulin.
Hypoglycemia that occurs in people without diabetes is called non-diabetic hypoglycemia, and there are two types: reactive hypoglycemia and fasting hypoglycemia. They can be triggered by medications, other medical conditions, and tumors.
What Is a Blood Sugar Crash?
A crash, or hypoglycemia, occurs when blood glucose levels go below 70 mg/dL. A low level triggers the release of epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, the fight-or-flight hormone. It is what can cause the symptoms of hypoglycemia.1
Symptoms
Each person may react to hypoglycemia differently. The symptoms of crash can be mild to severe and include the following:1
Nervousness or anxiety
Sweating, chills, and clamminess
Irritability or impatience
Confusion
Fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Hunger
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