Hypoglycemia, characterized by low blood sugar levels, can be caused by diabetes, medications, or other health conditions. Symptoms include hunger, confusion, and sweating. Treatment involves adjusting diet and medication. Reactive and fasting hypoglycemia can occur in non-diabetics. Treatment involves consuming glucose or eating small meals regularly. A balanced diet and exercise can prevent future attacks.
A hypoglycemic attack strikes when the body’s blood sugar levels drop below normal. Hunger, confusion and sweating are some of the symptoms of a hypo. The condition is commonly linked to diabetes, but those who don’t have diabetes can suffer from hypoglycemia from medications or other health conditions. Treatment for hypoglycemia involves making adjustments to diet and medications to prevent recurring episodes.
During normal manufacturing and storage processes, glucose, or blood sugar, comes from carbohydrate-rich foods. Some examples include bread, milk, rice and fruit. After a person eats a meal, glucose enters the bloodstream. It then travels to the cells, getting assistance from insulin, which is a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin helps cells absorb glucose so the body uses energy; the excess glucose travels to the liver, muscles and fat cells to be stored as extra energy between meals.
Hypoglycemia occurs when glucose and insulin are not absorbed properly. Too much insulin entering the bloodstream can cause blood sugar levels to drop dramatically. If the body absorbs glucose too quickly and the body lacks extra blood sugar, hypoglycemia can occur. The slow release of glucose into the bloodstream is also known to cause hypoglycemia.
A hypoglycaemic episode occurs suddenly and symptoms can appear during the day or night. Common symptoms include hunger, nervousness, shaking and sweating. Others include confusion, drowsiness, dizziness and anxiety. Headache, irritability and heart palpitations are also signs of a hypoglycemic attack.
Side effects of diabetes medications remain among the causes of a hypoglycemic attack. For example, taking too many doses of a diabetes pill or injecting too much insulin can cause blood sugar levels to drop suddenly. Diabetes pills or insulin can conflict with other drugs that treat other conditions and thus cause hypoglycemia. For diabetics, other causes of hypoglycemic episodes can result from changes in physical activity and mealtimes. For example, a person might increase their daily exercise routine without balancing it with eating enough food, thus causing low blood sugar.
Hypoglycemia can also occur suddenly in people who don’t have diabetes. In this case, there are two types of hypoglycemia attacks: reactive hypoglycemia and fasting hypoglycemia. Both types share the same symptoms of diabetes-related hypoglycemia, including weakness, hunger, sweating, shaking, and anxiety. Enzyme and endocrine deficiencies reportedly cause reactive hypoglycemic attacks. Causes of fasting hypoglycemia include certain medications, cancers, heavy alcohol consumption, and heart, kidney, and liver disease.
To treat a hypoglycemic episode, diabetics need to monitor their blood sugar. A reading of 70 mg/dL or lower means your levels are too low. Doctors recommend consuming 1/2 cup (about 118 mL) of regular soda, 1/2 cup (118 mL) of fruit juice, four glucose tablets, or up to six pieces of hard candy to bring glucose levels back to normal. blood to normal.
Those experiencing a reactive or fasting hypoglycemic episode may seek treatment by eating snacks or small meals every few hours. Medical experts also recommend sticking to a balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, meat, poultry, fish and dairy products to prevent future attacks. Incorporating regular daily exercise also helps prevent a hypo.
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