Diabetes management is commonly addressed in the context of high blood sugar levels. However, another aspect of diabetes management deserves emphasis: low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia is an often-neglected risk factor in diabetes management. very low blood sugar is an urgent medical issue Although good glucose control plays a pivotal role in preventing complications. Some groups of patients may be at an elevated risk, particularly the elderly, those with kidney or liver disease, and patients with irregular eating patterns or those who use specific glucose-lowering medications.
Tavishi Dogra is a Deputy Chief Content Producer, Health & Wellness, at Hindustan Times. She joined Hindustan Times to simplify wellness subjects by cutting through jargon. She has over 9 years of experience writing about fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, translating medical research and expert insights into practical advice readers can trust. Career journey and experience Tavishi began her health journalism journey in 2017, and has since reported for RSTV, Financial Express, Jagran, HT Media Labs and Zee.
Education and professional background Tavishi holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and began her career reporting on public affairs for broadcast. Editorial Philosophy I write with one single goal: To simplify health in a world full of noise by finding what’s actually doable, safe, and evidence-based for my readers. I test claims against research and user experiences. Symptoms can vary, but the most common include sweating, shaking, hunger, dizziness, weakness, irritability, blurred vision, confusion, and a rapid heartbeat. A person may seem tired, anxious, confused, or ill. In elderly patients, confusion or behavior changes may be attributed to age or other existing medical conditions. If hypoglycemia is not recognized and treated on time, it can lead to serious complications. Low blood sugar can have several triggers. Physical activity, alcohol consumption, skipped or delayed meals, vomiting, and changes in medication doses can all contribute. This is why diabetes treatment cannot be viewed as simply prescribing medication and checking glucose levels. The patient’s daily routine matters too. Meal patterns, physical activity, medication schedules, and changes in health can all influence glucose levels. A treatment plan that does not account for these factors may increase the risk of low blood sugar episodes. For patients and families, recognizing the early warning signs of hypoglycemia is an important part of safe diabetes management . However, food or anything by mouth should not be given to someone unconscious, having a seizure, or unable to swallow safely. In such circumstances, seek emergency medical assistance. Knowing what hypoglycemia looks like and understanding what to do during an episode can help ensure that a potentially serious situation is recognized rather than mistaken for fatigue, anxiety or confusion. Hypoglycemia also highlights the importance of medication safety. For patients and families, this means understanding the warning signs of hypoglycemia, following medication and meal plans carefully, keeping healthcare providers informed about recurring episodes, and seeking medical advice when patterns change. For healthcare professionals, it means looking beyond individual glucose readings and considering the complete picture of the patient’s treatment, lifestyle, and risks. Ultimately, safe diabetes management is not about chasing the lowest possible number. It is about achieving appropriate glucose control while minimizing avoidable harm. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.)
When all else fails, I speak to the expert who sees 50 patients a day, not the one with the most followers. When hypoglycemia becomes a critical condition, it typically occurs when blood sugar levels drop below 70 mg/dL. If a person is conscious and able to swallow safely, the immediate response described in the original guidance is to take approximately 15 grams of glucose, followed by a source of complex carbohydrates such as bread or biscuits, and recheck blood sugar after 15 minutes. If blood sugar remains below 70 mg/dL, repeat the process.
Because of their age or underlying kidney or liver problems, certain patients may also be more vulnerable. Families and caregivers therefore have an important role. Recognizing hypoglycemia as an important patient-safety issue is therefore essential to providing safer, more individualized diabetes care . ( Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
“The danger is that those symptoms may not always be easily recognized as hypoglycemia signs,” Endocrinologist Dr Debmalya Sanyal, Diabetes & Metabolic Medicine, Narayana RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, Kolkata, tells Health Shots . Those early years in policy and TV shaped how she writes today: fast, factual, and human-first.
Subject expertise With 9+ years tracking India’s health conversations, Tavishi knows the gap between clinical advice and daily life. She knows fads from fundamentals and curates science-backed, expert-recommended solutions. In fitness, she breaks down bodyweight training, recovery, and posture fixes for desk-bound readers. In nutrition, she translates guidelines into affordable, desi meal tweaks. In mental well-being, she focuses on stigma-free, actionable tools — all backed by research, expert input, and lived context.
From decoding health trends and interviewing doctors to testing fitness routines herself, Tavishi always approaches content with one filter: “Will this help someone make a better decision today?
