Nondiabetic hypoglycemia
Nondiabetic hypoglycemia is a rare condition that can cause dizziness after eating due to a sudden drop in blood sugar.
A person with nondiabetic hypoglycemia can have reactive hypoglycemia, which is where blood sugar drops instead of increases after eating.
Doctors don’t fully know the underlying cause of this condition, but they suspect that the food causes the body to release too much insulin.
Insulin is a hormone responsible for processing blood sugar and lowering glucose levels. As a result, a person’s blood sugar levels drop too fast and they feel dizzy.
Symptoms associated with non-diabetic hypoglycemia include:
- confusion or nervousness
- feeling anxious
- feeling very sleepy
- hunger
- irritability
- shaking
- sweating
In some cases, this condition can be treated surgically and cured. Where it can’t be treated, dietary changes can help manage symptoms by reducing the likelihood that a significant drop in blood sugar will happen.
A doctor may also encourage you to check your blood sugar levels after you eat so that you can eat a snack to boost your blood sugar levels before they get any lower.
Blood sugar regulation
The hormone insulin lowers glucose levels when glucose is elevated. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and need insulin to control your blood sugar, taking more insulin than you need can cause your blood sugar level to drop too low and result in hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia also may result if, after taking your diabetes medication, you eat less than usual or exercise more than you normally do. Your doctor can work with you to prevent this imbalance by finding the dose that fits your regular eating and activity patterns.
