Hypoglycemia? Falling asleep after eating sugar or heavy meals?

Supposedly I am borderline hypoglycemic (71). I have noticed that I have that uncontrollable head-drooping, falling-asleep urge that hits me shortly after drinking sugary drinks (last night I had a caramel apple cider and within 20 minutes could not keep my eyes open) or within a slightly longer period of time after eating a heavy meal. This is especially true if I have eaten the meal after several hours of not eating.

Is this reactive hypoglycemia, or are these symptoms of true hypoglycemia? I eat sugar-free snacks thoughout the day (string cheese, low-sugar oatmeal, no sugar added applesauce, grapefruit cups etc.) but there is a gap of a few hours between lunch and dinner.

HOW does "reactive" hypoglycemia make you fall asleep like this? It's amazing, it hits me like a truck and I cannot keep my head up or eyes open while driving, I just want to go to sleep. Sometimes I have to pull over and get out to walk around.

I would suggest to consult a doctor because maintaining a healthy blood glucose level is vital.

Most hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs while fasting. But reactive hypoglycemia is low blood sugar that occurs after a meal 鈥?usually one to three hours after eating. Reactive hypoglycemia can occur in people who do not have diabetes. The cause of most cases of reactive hypoglycemia isn't clear.

Some researchers suggest that certain people may be overly sensitive to the normal release of the hormone epinephrine, which causes many of the symptoms of hypoglycemia. Others believe that deficiencies in glucagon 鈥?a hormone that normally protects against low blood sugar 鈥?may cause reactive hypoglycemia.

Less commonly, reactive hypoglycemia results from excessive production of insulin by the pancreas (hyperinsulinemia) due to a tumor (insulinoma) or high numbers of insulin-producing cells (nesidioblastosis). Reactive hypoglycemia may also occur after stomach surgery or due to certain enzyme deficiencies, which may interfere with the balance between nutrient absorption and insulin secretion.


To relieve reactive hypoglycemia, some health professionals recommend taking the following steps:

Eat small meals and snacks about every 3 hours.
Exercise regularly.
Eat a variety of foods, including meat, poultry, fish, or non-meat sources of protein, foods such as whole-grain bread, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
Choose high-fiber foods and food with a moderate-to-low glycemic index.
Avoid or limit foods high in sugar, especially on an empty stomach.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and highly starchy foods such as white rice, potatoes, corn, and popcorn (all very high on the glycemic index).
Adding soluble fibers (e.g., 5 to 10 grams of hemicellulose, pectin, or guar gum) to a meal may help to relieve symptoms, especially in dumping syndrome. [3]

Your doctor can refer you to a registered dietitian for personalized meal planning advice. Although some health professionals recommend a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates, studies have not proven the effectiveness of this kind of diet for reactive hypoglycemia. If the diet does not provide a relief in symptoms, there are some medications which can be useful in reactive hypoglycemia, and that should be administrated only by a physician.

Reactive hypoglycemia is a medical term describing recurrent episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia occurring 2-4 hours after a high carbohydrate meal (or oral glucose load). It is thought to represent a consequence of excessive insulin release triggered by the carbohydrate meal but continuing past the digestion and disposal of the glucose derived from the meal.

It may be the glucose causing release of insulin, and associated hormones like serotonin. Also, meals divert blood flow to your intestines. If in fact, your insulin response to sugar is overdone, you may be manifesting hypoglycemia, but better to just avoid the sugary stuff.