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 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.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
57sec home-news-image

Does low blood sugar cause confusion?

When hypoglycemia occurs, it is possible to experience confusion. This is because, under normal conditions, the glucose level in our brain tissue is only about 25% of that in our blood. After hypoglycemia occurs, the glucose concentration in our brain tissue will further decrease, leading to a state of sugar and oxygen deprivation in the brain. Severe cases can exhibit a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as behavioral changes and confusion, cognitive dysfunction, or even epileptic seizures. Some patients may also experience coma and permanent brain damage, typically seen in those with severe and prolonged hypoglycemia. Similarly, patients who repeatedly experience hypoglycemia often also suffer from brain atrophy. Therefore, confusion can occur during hypoglycemia.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
1min 3sec home-news-image

How to check for hypoglycemia

We usually diagnose hypoglycemia based on the following three criteria. The first is the presence of hypoglycemic symptoms, such as palpitations, tremors, sweating, dizziness, etc. If these symptoms are present, we must immediately consider the possibility of hypoglycemia, and then proceed to monitor blood glucose levels. If the blood glucose reading is below 2.8 for non-diabetic patients and below 3.9 for diabetic patients, hypoglycemia can be considered. Subsequently, the patient should consume sugary water, and if the symptoms significantly alleviate after this, a diagnosis of hypoglycemia can be established. Moreover, if the patient does not have a history of diabetes, does not use hypoglycemic drugs, but experiences recurring episodes of hypoglycemia, further testing is required, such as a fasting test, checking C-peptide levels, insulin levels, etc., to rule out insulinoma.

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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.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
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Standard for Low Blood Sugar

Our diagnostic criteria for hypoglycemia are often based on the "Whipple's triad," which is determined first by the presence of symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as palpitations, dizziness, pale complexion, cold sweats, confusion, mental abnormalities, and so on. Second, after the symptoms appear, we measure blood glucose; in non-diabetic patients, blood glucose below 2.8 mmol/L, and in diabetic patients, blood glucose below 3.9 mmol/L, then it can be judged as possibly hypoglycemia. Third, after measuring blood glucose, we quickly provide sugars, administer oral sugar water, biscuits, etc., and his symptoms of hypoglycemia quickly alleviate. Based on these three points, we can diagnose hypoglycemia.