Can people with hypoglycemia exercise?

Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
Updated on May 21, 2025
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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.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
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What to do about hypoglycemia?

After a hypoglycemic episode, we need to handle it quickly. Usually, based on symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as dizziness, palpitations, cold sweats, pale complexion, and trembling hands, we can preliminarily judge the likelihood of a hypoglycemic attack. Then, use a rapid glucose meter to measure fingertip blood sugar levels. For non-diabetic patients, a blood sugar level below 2.8 mmol/L and for diabetic patients, a level below 3.9 mmol/L can be indicative. Next, we quickly provide sugar, offering oral sugar water, sugary drinks, or sugar-containing fruits, cookies, bread, etc. After these treatments, the symptoms of hypoglycemia can be quickly alleviated.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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How to alleviate hypoglycemia

In general, for hypoglycemia, if a diabetic's blood sugar falls below 3.9 or a non-diabetic's blood sugar falls below 2.8, it is considered hypoglycemia. In terms of treatment, if the patient is conscious and experiences symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, cold sweat, and hunger, it is recommended to measure blood sugar immediately and then eat foods that quickly increase blood sugar levels, such as chocolate or candy. If hypoglycemia in a patient is not corrected in time, it can lead to coma. If the patient is comatose, it is advised to call emergency services immediately and administer a 50% glucose intravenous injection to correct the hypoglycemia.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
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What is hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia refers to a condition where the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream is too low, leading to insufficient energy supply in the body. This can excite the sympathetic nervous system or disrupt central nervous system functions, resulting in a range of clinical syndromes. Hypoglycemia is relatively common in our daily lives. Its symptoms often include palpitations, dizziness, trembling limbs, apathy, abnormal behavior, and in severe cases, even coma or sudden death. Therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment of hypoglycemia are very important.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
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How to test for hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia refers to a syndrome characterized by symptoms of sympathetic nerve excitation and brain cell hypoxia due to low blood glucose concentration. We usually identify hypoglycemia first by a series of symptoms. The primary symptoms of hypoglycemia are sympathetic nerve symptoms, including dizziness, palpitations, cold sweats, hunger, and pallor. If these symptoms occur, we use a glucometer to determine if the blood sugar level is below 2.8 mmol/L. If the blood sugar is below 2.8 mmol/L, one should quickly consume sugary water and energy. If the patient's symptoms are alleviated, then it is considered hypoglycemia.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
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What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

The symptoms of hypoglycemia primarily manifest as signs of sympathetic nervous excitement and lack of oxygen in brain cells. Sympathetic nervous excitement can cause feelings of hunger, pale complexion, palpitations, dizziness, and trembling limbs. Meanwhile, the lack of oxygen in brain cells primarily presents as disturbances in neurological functions. The most common symptoms include inability to concentrate, slow speech and thought processes, drowsiness, abnormal behavior, and in severe cases, it can even lead to coma.