Get information about COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and visiting standards. Learn More.

Patient & Family Education Materials

Start over with a New Search

Word! Hypoglycemia

Article Translations: (Spanish)

Hypoglycemia

Say: hi-po-gly-see-me-uh

Glucose (a type of sugar) is the body's main energy source. Hormones, such as insulin, control the level of glucose in the blood. It's unhealthy if a person's glucose levels get too high, or too low. Hypoglycemia occurs when the levels get too low. This can happen to people who have diabetes. It can occur if the person doesn't eat enough or if the person takes too much insulin, which lowers glucose levels. A person with hypoglycemia may feel hungry, shaky, sweaty, weak, drowsy, or dizzy. If left untreated, hypoglycemia may even make someone faint or pass out.

Back To Top

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

© 1995-2024 KidsHealth ® All rights reserved. Images provided by iStock, Getty Images, Corbis, Veer, Science Photo Library, Science Source Images, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com