Low Blood Sugar

To function properly, the body needs just the right amount of glucose. When the blood glucose level is unbalanced and is either too high or too low, the body shows certain symptoms signaling a hypoglycemia attack.

Pale and sweaty skin is the first noticeable symptom. Anxiety, heart palpitations and shakiness are other symptoms. Headaches, blurry or double vision, fatigue and extreme hunger can occur because of a lack of glucose reaching the brain, the organ affected the most. Seizures, confusion and loss of consciousness can take place in the worst cases of inadequate glucose flowing to the brain.

Your body uses hormones to keep your blood sugar in a normal range. However, a long-term health problem that needs treatment can cause blood sugar to drop too low in people who do not have diabetes. People with diabetes often deal with that problem. It is not as common in people who do not have diabetes, but it can happen.

What Causes Low Blood Sugar

•Hypoglycemia could be caused by certain medications used to treat depression or malaria and even by the use of aspirin.

•People who go out drinking without putting food on their stomachs will experience a drop in their blood sugar level because the liver stops producing glucose when you drink alcohol.

•Diseases that affect the pancreas, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, or other organs.

•Metabolic problems that run in families.

•Problems caused by stomach surgery

Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar

The symptoms can be different depending on how low your blood sugar level drops.

Mild hypoglycemia can make you feel hungry or like you want to vomit. You could also feel jittery or nervous. Your heart may beat fast. You may sweat. Or your skin might turn cold and clammy.

Moderate hypoglycemia often makes people feel short-tempered, nervous, afraid, or confused. Your vision may blur. You could also feel unsteady or have trouble walking. Severe hypoglycemia can cause you to pass out. You could have seizures. It could even cause a coma or death.

If you have had this problem during the night, you may wake up tired or with a headache. And you may have nightmares. You may sweat so much during the night that your pajamas or sheets are damp when you wake up.

Diagnosing Hypoglycemia

To diagnose this condition, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your health. You will need tests to check your blood sugar levels. Your doctor will also ask you about any medicines you take and whether you have recently lost or gained weight.

If a blood test shows that your blood sugar is low, and if you have symptoms that go away after you eat a snack or drink with sugar in it, you probably have hypoglycemia.

Treatment for Low Blood Sugar

You could also drink skim milk, regular (not diet) soda, or fruit juice. You may also take glucose tablets.

It is a good idea to find out about health problems or situations that can lead to your sugar being low. It is also important to pay attention to your health and lifestyle. For example, talk to your doctor to see if you can change your diet, change the medicines you take, or change the way you exercise.

In some cases, treating the health problem that is causing low blood sugar can prevent future problems.

If mild or moderate drop in the blood sugar level is not treated right away, it can turn into a severe occurrence. People with severely low blood sugar usually faint. If you lose consciousness, someone should call 911 right away. It is a good idea to teach your family, friends, and coworkers ahead of time about the symptoms so they will know what to do. Hypoglykaemien

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