Anxiety and low blood sugar have overlapping symptoms, but being able to identify which one is affecting you is important for treating it properly. Ignoring signs of low blood sugar can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
Blood sugar that dips to a lower than the standard range is called hypoglycemia. Dr. Chhaya Makhija, MD, an endocrinologist with Unified Endocrine & Diabetes Care, explains that people with diabetes are most likely to experience hypoglycemia, which is why they take medication to prevent this. However, people who don’t have diabetes can experience hypoglycemia too, though it is rare. She says that someone who recently had bariatric surgery or metabolic surgery can also become hypoglycemic. Certain medications, underlying health conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, pancreatic disease and excessive alcohol use can also cause low blood sugar.
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How To Know If You Have Low Blood Sugar or Anxiety — and What To Do About It
If you feel confused or like you might faint, Dr. Makhija says to call 911 and seek immediate medical care. It bears repeating that hypoglycemia can be life-threatening, so if you are experiencing any of the severe signs of it, the best way to take care of yourself is to get medical help immediately and not waste time trying to figure out if your symptoms are actually due to anxiety.
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If the episodes you are experiencing are happening frequently, both doctors recommend seeing your healthcare provider. If they are caused by anxiety, you can talk to your doctor about if going on an anti-anxiety medication is a good fit for you and also ask for a therapist referral. Dr. Makhija says that if the episodes are due to your blood sugar dropping, treatment could involve an adjustment in the medication you are taking.
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Sources
Dr. Chhaya Makhija, MD, endocrinologist with Unified Endocrine & Diabetes CareDr. Akhil Shenoy, MD, endocrinologist and diabetes medical advisor at Aeroflow Diabetes Read More Details
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