Q I'm managing diabetes and sometimes wake up with cold sweats at night. Could it be low blood sugar?
A Night sweats can be a common sign of low blood sugar, so caution is especially needed for those on diabetes medication or insulin. If cold sweats occur along with trembling, intense hunger, or heart palpitations, low blood sugar should be suspected and discussed with your doctor.
Detailed Answer
Night sweats can sometimes stem from low blood sugar. In particular, if someone on diabetes medication or insulin eats too little at dinner or the medication dose is off, blood sugar can drop before dawn, causing them to wake with cold sweats, trembling, palpitations, and intense hunger together. If this pattern repeats, do not adjust things on your own — be sure to discuss medication and meal adjustments with your treating doctor. An appropriate bedtime snack can help, but this too should follow your doctor's guidance for safety.
Our Korean Medicine Clinic's Perspective
At Dongjedang, if a clear cause such as low blood sugar is suspected, we recommend prioritizing its management. On top of that, we take the approach of replenishing depleted energy and fluids and restoring balance, to support the body in maintaining stable condition through the night.
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