One of the most frustrating symptoms of hypoglycemia is insomnia. Hypoglycemia can already cause severe strain and fatigue, and insomnia can push you to the point of a breakdown. The constant pain, fatigue, and sleep deprivation will wear you down physically and mentally.
Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night. It can be caused by stress, anxiety about sleeping, or stimulants like coffee and tea. If you suffer from hypoglycemia, it is likely that your insomnia is due to low blood sugar. When your blood sugar drops below a certain level, your brain becomes stimulated and wakes you up, prompting you to eat something. This is a defense mechanism of the body.
Using sleeping pills or other remedies cannot help you overcome insomnia caused by hypoglycemia because they do not address the root cause – low blood sugar. To overcome hypoglycemia-induced insomnia, you need to find ways to maintain your blood sugar throughout the night.
One of the best ways to do this is to have a light snack 1-2 hours before bedtime. Choose snacks high in complex carbohydrates because they increase serotonin, a brain neurotransmitter that promotes sleep. Complex carbohydrates are also absorbed slowly into the bloodstream, helping to keep your sugar levels constant during the night.
Examples of good bedtime snacks include whole-grain bread, oatmeal, and salads.
Avoid stimulants like coffee, tea, and alcohol as they keep you mentally alert. Also, avoid foods high in sugar as they can rapidly raise your blood sugar levels, leading to a hypoglycemic state.
