Can people with hypoglycemia run?

Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
Updated on May 01, 2025
00:00
00:00

The treatment of hypoglycemia primarily involves identifying its causes, whether due to an excessive use of medication by diabetic patients, not eating meals on time, or other reasons such as an insulinoma or other causes. In these cases, treatment should focus on the underlying causes. Or, if the hypoglycemia is simply due to not eating regularly, consider if symptoms such as frequent palpitations and easy sweating are present. If you must go running, it is advised to first correct the hypoglycemia by consuming some food to raise the blood sugar. Additionally, during the run, always carry some food with you. If symptoms of low blood sugar occur, you should eat immediately, as running can consume the glucose in the blood and lower blood sugar levels. If you do not eat on time to increase your blood sugar, it might induce severe hypoglycemia. Therefore, it is recommended to correct the blood sugar level before running, and make sure to carry food with you while running.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
52sec home-news-image

Can people with hypoglycemia eat meat?

Hypoglycemia refers to a condition where the concentration of glucose in the plasma is too low, below 2.8mmol/L, which is termed hypoglycemia. During hypoglycemia, it is first necessary to quickly replenish glucose to increase the concentration of glucose in the blood and alleviate the symptoms of hypoglycemia. During hypoglycemia, it is best to first eat sugary foods, such as sugar water, chocolate, cookies, fruit juice, etc., which can quickly increase low blood sugar. Eating meat can also improve symptoms of hypoglycemia, but since meat takes longer to be digested and converted into blood glucose by the stomach, it does not quickly relieve symptoms of hypoglycemia. It is best to eat sugar during hypoglycemia, although meat can also be consumed.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
1min 3sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia, in fact, is diagnosed in healthy individuals when blood glucose levels are less than or equal to 2.8 mmol/L, and in diabetic patients when levels are less than or equal to 3.9 mmol/L. Common symptoms of mild hypoglycemia typically involve sympathetic nervous system activation, such as dizziness, palpitations, cold sweats, trembling hands, and a feeling of hunger. It is recommended that food be consumed promptly when these symptoms occur. If hypoglycemia is not immediately addressed, severe outcomes can occur, including altered mental status, coma, and unresponsiveness. In some cases, hypoglycemia may trigger seizures or abnormal cerebral vascular accidents, such as stroke or cardiac ischemia, leading to a heart attack. Therefore, preventing hypoglycemia is of utmost importance.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
1min 19sec home-news-image

Can people with hypoglycemia eat mutton?

The definition of hypoglycemia is when the blood glucose level is monitored to be less than 2.8 mmol/L, or less than 3.9 mmol/L for diabetics, accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations, cold sweats, hunger, and dizziness. These symptoms can be alleviated after eating, especially after consuming sugar water, and this condition is then referred to as hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is classified into mild, moderate, and severe degrees. For mild hypoglycemia, with only mild symptoms, it is acceptable to eat lamb, beef, pork, or consume sugar. However, in cases of more severe hypoglycemia, where there are changes in consciousness or symptoms like somnolence, eating meat may not be quick enough. The most recommended treatment is to drink sugar water directly or to administer glucose intravenously to correct the blood sugar rapidly. This is because eating lamb, which is protein, requires digestion and absorption, and raises blood sugar levels more slowly. In cases of severe hypoglycemia, the most direct treatments are drinking sugar water or administering it intravenously.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
1min 20sec home-news-image

Can people with hypoglycemia exercise?

Generally speaking, when hypoglycemia occurs, one should first correct the low blood sugar levels and identify the cause of the hypoglycemia before engaging in exercise. This is because hypoglycemia can manifest in various ways depending on the cause, the degree and speed of the blood sugar drop, and the individual's response. For instance, some patients may exhibit symptoms of excessive sympathetic nervous system activation, such as sweating, trembling, palpitations, hunger, anxiety, tension, and a slight increase in blood pressure. If hypoglycemia is not corrected, it can lead to a further decline in blood sugar levels, resulting in symptoms of neuroglycopenia. These may include lack of mental focus, dizziness, sluggishness, blurred vision, unsteady gait, and even hallucinations, restlessness, abnormal behavior, and other psychotic manifestations. Some may also exhibit confusion, infantile movements, choreiform movements, and even some spasms, coma, and a drop in blood pressure. Therefore, hypoglycemia is a serious condition and exercise should only be undertaken after it has been corrected.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
48sec home-news-image

How to regulate hypoglycemia

If hypoglycemia occurs repeatedly, it is necessary to go to the hospital for an examination to rule out some diseases that may cause hypoglycemia. If no apparent diseases are found after the examination, self-regulation can be considered. The methods for self-regulation include the following: Firstly, pay attention to a reasonable diet, eat regularly, balance meat and vegetables, and develop good eating habits without excessive dieting. Secondly, persist in exercising to strengthen the body, enhance physical fitness, improve immunity, and reduce the occurrence of hypoglycemia. Lastly, develop good living habits, ensure adequate sleep, avoid staying up late, avoid excessive fatigue, and balance work and rest.