Hypoglycemia, in simple terms, means low blood sugar. This medical condition occurs when glucose levels in the blood become too low. Glucose, or sugar, is the main fuel the body uses to operate on. Sometimes the operations needed for the body to maintain appropriate levels of glucose don't function properly, leading to hypoglycemia. Outlined below are some facts about the causes, symptoms and treatments involved in combating this condition.
Basics
When the body thinks there is too much glucose, insulin is manufactured by the pancreas to dispose of the extra glucose. When the brain notes there is not enough glucose, adrenaline is formed. The job of adrenaline is to notify the liver to use our stored carbohydrates by turning them into glucose. The glucose that is manufactured is then released into our bloodstream. When this complex system goes on the fritz, glucose levels remain too low, affecting the proper operation of the brain.
Types
There are basically two types of hypoglycemia: medication related and nonmedication related. Medication-related hypoglycemia is most often found in people suffering from diabetes. When a person with insulin-dependent diabetes is given too much, their pancreas releases too much insulin. When this happens, the blood sugar in the body is significantly reduced, bringing on a bout of hypoglycemia. Other medications can also bring on instances of hypoglycemia.
When a person hasn't eaten for a period of time, his blood sugar gets low, bringing on hypoglycemia. Reactive hypoglycemia occurs when the person has a reaction to eating carbohydrates. This type of hypoglycemia usually occurs in children or infants and is caused by eating fructose, galactose or leucine. All three of these items throw off the balance of sugar in the blood, with fructose and galactose preventing the liver from releasing a normal amount of sugar into the system. Leucine affects the pancreas by making it give off too much insulin.
If a person has problems with his liver, pituitary or adrenal glands, hypoglycemia can occur. Pancreatic tumors can also cause the condition by creating an increase of insulin into the blood.
Diagnosing Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is diagnosed by taking a glucose tolerance test. After fasting, blood is drawn and the person is given a measured amount of glucose to ingest. After a predetermined period of time, blood is drawn again. The blood sugar levels in each of the blood samples are compared. If the blood sample is normal, the sugar level should read anywhere between 80 to 100mg for every 100cc of blood.
The three classifications of hypoglycemia are mild, moderate and severe. Once a diagnosis has been made, the cause can usually be identified by a physical exam, noting your medical history and testing.
Symptoms/Dangers
A person with hypoglycemia may suffer symptoms such as palpitations, chest pains, shortness of breath, sweating, fainting, anxiety and nausea. When the brain isn't getting the correct amount of glucose, symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, exhaustion, confusion, headaches, as well as difficulty in speaking or even seeing clearly, can be experienced. People suffering from hypoglycemia can even seem like they're drunk. In the worst-case scenario, hypoglycemia can cause seizures, coma and even brain damage.
Prevention/Solution
People suffering from hypoglycemia should avoid diets high in refined sugars or carbohydrates. Caffeine is another substance that should be avoided since it can aggravate the condition. The basic treatment for preventing hypoglycemia is to eat small meals several times throughout the day. This will help maintain a balance of sugar in your blood and not cause a spike in insulin levels. A diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates is generally recommended to keep this condition under control.
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