GUEST POST from Don – “Hangry”

“HANGRY”

It’s a joke, right?  People who become angry when they are hungry is a joke?
Actually, no.  It is NOT a joke.  In fact, it is quite serious.

Even as a child I experienced hypoglycemic episodes.  My family didn’t know then what I know now.  No one then thought it was a big deal.  I can attest that the one experiencing the symptoms is very aware that it feels like a big deal.  Even now, don’t agitate me when my blood sugar is dropping … I won’t be nice.  

FIRST, these people who experience hungry anger can become quite aggressive or irritable.

That is the most common symptom people acknowledge.  I called it a “symptom” for a reason.  It really is indicative of a serious medical condition.  Most of the time the person experiencing this symptom is diabetic or pre-diabetic.  However, anyone who experiences it should see a doctor and discuss the condition.  

SECOND, “hangry” it is not the only symptom.

A person experiencing unnatural low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) might experience any of the following symptoms:  Shakiness, Sweating, Headache, Irregular (or fast) heartbeat, Nausea, Hunger (of course), Pale (looking wan), Tingling or numbness of lips, tongue, or cheek, Fatigue, Dizziness, Lightheadedness, Difficulty concentrating, and (of course) Irritability or anxiety (“Hangry”).  [How many of these have I felt?  At least nine.]

Wow!  That’s a bunch of symptoms for something which some consider a “nothing.”  And it is true that those who haven’t experienced one or more of these symptoms think of it as mere “weakness,” “bad temper,” or (for some) “sin.”  But it is a major medical condition, like a stroke or heart issue.  Why do I put it in the same category as those?  Because at its extreme it can cause dementia or death.  Yes, I said it, being “hangry” can lead to brain death or other permanent harm if untreated.

THIRD, the above symptoms are only the beginning.

If not treated appropriately and quickly … hypoglycemia symptoms can worsen.  The individual can lapse into life altering/life threatening conditions like:  Blurred or tunnel vision, Slurred speech, Inability to physically coordinate actions (can’t walk, can’t dial a phone), Confusion, Unusual behavior (acts “crazy”),  Unable to complete routine tasks (like walking a straight line for a police officer).  But, if not treated at this point, hypoglycemia can still progress and become even worse.

FOURTH, major physiological changes will occur if untreated.

Low blood sugar, starving the brain of nutrients, can cause Loss of consciousness, Inability to respond to questions, Seizures, and even Death.

FINALLY, repeated or long periods of low blood sugar can cause PERMANENT brain damage.

Hypoglycemia can cause permanent symptoms of dementia if not treated.  

So, being “hangry” is definitely not a joke.

So, it isn’t “funny” at all is it!!!  No!  It is a serious medical event which demands quick action.

OK.  So, it is serious.  What should be done?

A.  PROVIDE FOOD NOW!
Sugary foods first, to deal with immediate symptoms.  If possible, start with a sugary drink like juice, or a sugar-based soft drink, or candy (not an entire Snickers bar, please), or glucose tablets.  Follow that with stabilizing foods to stop a rebound drop in blood sugar; choose things like peanut butter, nuts, cheese, or a small meal.  Beware of follow-up foods which can spike sugar in the blood, such as breads, pastas, rice, and potatoes.  A spike can be followed by a quick second drop in blood sugars.  Try to balance these high glucose foods with cheese, cooked vegetables, fats (like butter), and meats.

B.  Seek MEDICAL ASSISTANCE immediately if:
– The sugary food doesn’t solve the immediate symptoms.  (Monitor the individual for about 20 minutes to make sure they are feeling better).
– The person has lapsed into the second set of symptoms (see the list under “THIRD”).
– The person experiencing symptoms is not diabetic.

Mayo Clinic says:  “Hypoglycemia, including iatrogenic hypoglycemia in people with diabetes, causes brain fuel deprivation that initially triggers a series of physiological and behavioral defenses but if unchecked results in functional brain failure that is typically corrected after the plasma glucose concentration is raised. Rarely, profound, and at least in primates prolonged, hypoglycemia causes brain death.” [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1838950/]

I’m not a doctor.  I’m rarely patient.  But I know this is important.

Copyright 2025 Donald Whelpley

[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
ALSO, Don is always open to offer his thoughts on various topics. If you have a specific request, you can let him know in a comment; he reads – and replies to – them all. ~ Sherry]

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