Perhaps migraine assault signs are beginning to creep in as you end up work duties earlier than lunch. Or possibly after an extended day, you possibly can’t focus on the TV present you’re watching. You’re feeling irritated and drained.
In case you’re the sort of one who Googles your well being signs (no judgment!) you could notice that these experiences may imply you’re coping with nervousness or ― extra surprisingly ― low blood sugar, AKA hypoglycemia.
“There is potential for misdiagnosing hypoglycemia as anxiety because the symptoms are so similar,” stated Dr. Priyanka Majety an assistant professor of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at Virginia Commonwealth College. “Especially if the individual has no history of diabetes or hypoglycemia, as anxiety is more common and may seem like a more likely cause.”
Hypoglycemia can have an effect on folks each with diabetes and with out, though it’s extra frequent in folks with the situation. A few of the causes of non-diabetic low blood sugar embody skipping meals, taking sure medicines like antibiotics, ingesting alcohol or well being points like liver or kidney illness.
To handle your signs successfully, you want to know what the issue is first. However how do you work that out — particularly given every individual’s physique and state of affairs is totally different? Majety and different consultants clarify the best way to differentiate between these two circumstances and the best way to deal with these icky emotions.
These Signs Can Point out Nervousness Or Low Blood Sugar
First, let’s get a extra complete checklist of signs these two circumstances share. There are greater than you would possibly assume. Consultants gave these examples:
- Complications or migraines
- Feeling jittery
- Restlessness
- Shakiness or tremors
- Confusion, incapacity to assume clearly or hassle concentrating
- Fatigue or weak spot
- Altered or disrupted sleep
- Full physique sweats
- Feeling chilly or clammy
- Fast heartbeat
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Irritability
Typically, you may need each circumstances without delay; this isn’t essentially an both/or state of affairs. “Someone with low blood sugar can also be experiencing anxiety,” stated Dr. Markyia Nichols, chief medical officer on the well being tech firm Ciba Health.
In reality, Dr. Jennifer Kraker, a psychiatrist with 20 years of medical expertise in diet and psychiatry, has seen it in her apply. For instance, “I’ve had several patients with anxiety whom I’ve diagnosed with diabetes with exactly this presentation,” she stated.
This will occur not solely as a result of the 2 aren’t mutually unique, but additionally as a result of they trigger the identical reactions within the physique.
“Both conditions trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response, releasing stress hormones that cause similar physical sensations,” Majety stated.
“When blood sugar drops, epinephrine (adrenaline) is released, which sends signals to your liver to make more glucose (blood sugar),” Nichols stated. “Adrenaline also increases heart rate, makes you sweat and can lead to you feeling more anxious.”
With that stated, each aren’t at all times at play.
How To Inform Which Is Which
There are a number of methods to determine whether or not it’s your mind or your blood sugar, relying on what instruments you may have accessible and your preferences.
Attempt testing.
Particular checks present perception and might even be carried out at residence. Nichols talked about a steady glucose monitor (CGM) or testing in real-time with a finger-stick. Dr. Rozalina McCoy, an endocrinologist and affiliate professor of medication on the College of Maryland, agreed that is the best choice if you want to know your blood sugar with any diploma of precision.
“True hypoglycemia is typically defined as a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL in individuals with diabetes on insulin therapy,” Majety stated. A non-diabetic particular person is taken into account to have low blood sugar if their degree is 55 mg/dL or beneath, based on the Nationwide Institutes of Health, although Majety stated in wholesome people, a studying within the 50s can “still be normal.”
In case you take a look at above that, nervousness might be the offender, nevertheless it isn’t essentially, based on Roberta Kleinman, a registered nurse and authorized diabetes educator at ADW Diabetes. “Some people feel ‘low symptoms’ even when their blood sugar is in the normal range.”
Examine in along with your mind and physique.
In case you don’t have a kind of units, Marjorie Nolan Cohn, a registered dietitian and medical director of the nutritionist software program firm Berry Avenue, inspired asking your self a number of blood sugar-related questions: “Has it been longer than three hours since I last ate? What type of food did I eat last? Did the meal include a balance of carbs, protein and fat sources?”
Do not forget that every individual’s physique is totally different and has totally different wants every day, too. In different phrases, you could assume you’ve eaten sufficient — or across the identical as ordinary — however your physique may nonetheless want extra. Respect that!
Examine-in questions for nervousness, she continued, would possibly embody any triggers you bear in mind or ongoing stressors which have constructed up. Nervousness can stem from numerous causes: a worrying state of affairs, a medical situation, an uncomfortable atmosphere, trauma, a household historical past of the situation and extra.
Begin with therapy.
One other useful possibility is testing by treating, based on Kraker.
“If these symptoms resolve rather quickly after eating and continue to stabilize thereafter, it is likely low blood sugar,” she stated.
Majety really useful about 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates — like fruit juice or glucose tablets — as a result of they will alleviate hypoglycemia shortly.
“It is also important not to treat with things that have fat in them, since fat slows down absorption and the treatment won’t work as well,” McCoy added. “So common things people [eat], like a chocolate bar, for example, are actually not good treatments.”
Different fast-acting carbs embody soda, Skittles, gummy bears, Gushers and extra.
How To Deal with The Signs
The therapy relies on the trigger, however what in the event you nonetheless don’t know which one you’re coping with? Or what if it’s each?
“It’s also important to note that low blood sugar perpetuates anxiety, and anxiety can impact appetite,” Cohn stated.
With that stated, contemplate the next:
Deal with low blood sugar first.
In line with Majety, treating hypoglycemia is extra pressing. That is very true when you’ve got diabetes, however important even in the event you don’t. “If unsure of the cause, the safest initial approach is to address low blood sugar first, as untreated hypoglycemia can lead to serious complications.”
On probably the most extreme finish, Kraker listed cardiac arrhythmias, coma and demise.
As talked about above, treating hypoglycemia means consuming 15 grams of a fast-acting carb, then rechecking your glucose ranges in quarter-hour.
Attempt rest strategies.
If nervousness is behind the problems, Majety really useful calming strategies, similar to deep respiratory, mindfulness and grounding workout routines, in addition to treatment and cognitive behavioral remedy with a therapist.
Work with a well being care supplier or workforce.
Majety added the significance of following up with a well being care supplier, as properly.
“Getting a well-rounded care team to look at your labs … in real-time all together, and coming up with a comprehensive treatment plan, is going to yield the best results,” Nichols stated.
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She inspired getting a doctor, registered dietitian and psychological well being skilled in your multidisciplinary well being workforce. Discovering the appropriate match for every of these might take time, however don’t hand over.
“Trust your body — you, the patient, know yourself best,” Kraker added. “The right clinician will be your advocate in helping you find answers.”
