As someone with diabetes I know firsthand the effects and symptom of low blood sugar. Sometimes you can feel like your life is out of control and you don't understand what is going on. So, what are the symptoms of low blood sugar, and what can you do?

Strangely, a lot of people have symptoms of low blood sugar and don't even realize it. How often have you felt tired and worn out between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM? It's a classic sign of low blood sugar. So, here is how most people handle it. They will feel a little tired, worn out, maybe depressed and irritable, and they will drink a soda, coffee, or eat a snack. Suddenly, they feel they have energy again and are revived. It's caused by a spike in their blood sugar.

OK, so what is the problem? While this may seem normal to a lot of people and not a big deal, it is a big deal, and it's not normal. The reason for the tiredness at lunchtime is because of your diet. Most likely, you ate a high carbohydrate, high sugar, high starch breakfast. Next, the lack of energy at 3:00 PM is from the same type of lunch you ate. Can you see how this is just a vicious cycle? It's a roller coaster ride that you need to get off of in order to maintain your health.

Just a quick tip. By eating a high protein, low carbohydrate breakfast, you'll notice your energy level will manintain an even pace throughout the day. There won't be this up and down spike to it. You won't experience the symptoms of low blood sugar, and you'll potentially thwart off diabetes.

Do you smoke? Did you know that smoking cigarettes causes blood sugar levels to rise? The nicotine in the cigarette mixes with the adrenal system and increases blood sugar levels.

The symptoms of low blood sugar can last all day and evening. If you take notice, you'll see that when you eat a sweet, drink a cup of coffee, etc., your energy level immediately rises, but it only lasts for an hour or so. This is why you see people who drink 10 cups of coffee a day, or are constantly drinking soda all day, or have to smoke a cigarette every hour.

We all know that coffee, soda, tea, etc., contain sugar, but they also contain caffeine. This combination can be brutal to our bodies health structure. It raises our blood sugar at the expense of our liver glycogen. It depletes liver glycogen levels, while the lack of proper nutrition doesn't replenish it. This is just one of the many reasons why a proper diet is so important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Symptoms of low blood sugar are pretty easy to spot when you know what to look for. Here is a great example. Morinings are generally the worst times for blood sugar levels because they are at their lowest. Have you known people who were so irritable in the morning that you didn't even want to speak to them until they had their cup of coffee, or ate breakfast? You'll notice that the majority of marital arguments take place in the morning. Why?

It's due to low blood sugar. Have you ever noticed how these same people can eat breakfast, or have 2 cups of coffee, and become a totally different person? They get happier, or have energy and want to do something, and blow off the fact that they just hurt your feelings earlier. They are like a form of Jekyll and Hyde.

If you, or someone you love, experiences the symptom of low blood sugar, take it seriously. It may be from having pre-diabetes or being a diabetic and not even knowing it. Visit with your doctor and have a simple test done to check your current health condition. It only takes a minute to know your blood glucose level. Treating the problem will lead to a much happier and healthier life.