Blood sugar - low; Low blood sugar
Hypoglycemia is a condition in which there is an abnormally low level of glucose (sugar) in your blood. Normally your body keeps blood sugar levels within a narrow range through the coordinated work of several organs and glands and their hormones, primarily insulin and glucagon. But factors such as disease or poor diet can disrupt the mechanisms that regulate your sugar levels. Too much glucose results in hyperglycemia, one of the major symptoms of diabetes. However, hypoglycemia is most common among people with diabetes, as too much insulin can cause blood sugar levels to fall (an insulin reaction). Left untreated, hypoglycemia can cause permanent neurological damage and death.
Signs and Symptoms
Since glucose (sugar) is the brain's primary fuel, your brain feels the majority of the effects of hypoglycemia:
- Excessive sweating
- Blurred vision, dizziness
- Trembling, lack of coordination
- Depression, anxiety
- Mental confusion, irritability
- Heart palpitations
- Slurred speech
What Causes It?
The following conditions can cause hypoglycemia:
- Taking too much insulin, skipping a meal, exercising too strenuously, drinking too much alcohol (in people with diabetes)
- Critical organ failure (kidney, heart, or liver)
- Hormone deficiencies
- Inherited abnormalities
- Lack of an appropriate diet, especially with a critical illness
- Strenuous exercise
- Recovery from gastrointestinal surgery
- Certain medications, including quinolones, pentamidine, quinine, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme agents and IGF
- Autoimmune disorders
- Prolonged illness
What to Expect at Your Doctor's Office
If your symptoms are not severe, your health care provider will order a blood test called a glucose tolerance test, the same test used to diagnose diabetes. If your levels are only slightly below normal, diet and lifestyle changes may be sufficient. If your symptoms are severe, you will get glucose in either an oral or injectable form to bring your blood sugar level back to normal as quickly as possible. Additional tests may determine the cause of your low blood sugar.
It is important to treat low blood sugar immediately to avoid long term serious effects. Hypoglycemia resulting from exercise several hours after a meal rarely produces serious symptoms. A glass of orange juice and a piece of bread can correct your blood sugar levels within minutes. However, in people with underlying diseases, fluctuating blood sugar levels are more serious and must be treated with oral or injectable forms of glucose. You can take oral glucose if you are able to swallow. If not, your doctor can give you an injection.
- Oral glucose for people who are able to swallow (10 to 20 g carbohydrate)
- Intravenous glucose for people who are unable to swallow
- Inhaled glucose, for people who are unable to swallow and want to avoid injections.
- Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of glucagon is an alternative to the above treatments, but the individual must also eat because the effect of glucagon is short
- Intravenous mannitol and glucocorticoids may be used to treat an individual who remains in a coma after glucose levels return to normal
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Long-term treatment is aimed at the cause of the hypoglycemia, but alternative therapies may also be useful in regulating blood sugar in the short term. Nutritional support should be part of treatment. Inform your physicians about all complementary and alternative treatments. Some of these treatments can interfere with conventional medical therapies. Work with a doctor who is knowledgeable in complementary medicine to find the right mix of treatments for you.Nutrition and Supplements
Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:
- Eliminate suspected food allergens, such as dairy (milk, cheese, and ice cream), wheat (gluten), soy, corn, preservatives, and chemical food additives. Your doctor may want to test you for food allergies.
- Eat foods high in B-vitamins and iron, such as whole grains (if no allergy), fresh vegetables, and 