How is low blood sugar related to type 1 diabetes?

People with type 1 diabetes need to be on the lookout for low blood sugar. You might think of diabetes as causing high blood sugar levels, and it does, but low blood sugar levels can also cause problems.

People with type 1 diabetes take insulin to bring high blood sugar levels down. But depending on what you've eaten and how recently you've exercised, the insulin may bring your blood sugar down too low. Symptoms of low blood sugar include headache, hunger, nervousness, rapid heartbeat, shaking, sweating and weakness.

Low blood glucose-also called hypoglycemia or low blood sugar-occurs when blood sugar levels become too low. This is something that needs to be managed on a daily basis when you have type 1 diabetes. Several things can affect blood glucose levels-including medication-diet-exercise-and your treatment plan. For example-eating a snack before bedtime can help prevent nighttime hypoglycemia. Talk to your doctor about what you can do to prevent low blood glucose.