Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can be a dangerous condition; this pathology can occur in the people with diabetes taking medications which increase the level of insulin in the body, or in subjects that they take too many medications, skip meals, eat little, or exercise a lot.
WHAT IS GLUCOSE?
Lo blood sugar, or glucose, it comes from food and serves as an important source of energy for the body; carbohydrates are the main source of glucose.
After eating, glucose comes absorbed into the bloodstream, where it travels to the cells of the body; a hormone called insulin, produced in the pancreas, helps cells use glucose for energy.
Without the necessary glucose, the body cannot perform its normal functions.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HYPOGLYCEMIA?
Symptoms of hypoglycemia can come on suddenly and include:
- Blurred vision
- Accelerated heart beat
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Fame
- Tremors and dizziness
- Fainting
- Coma
People who do not know they have hypoglycemia do not realize that it is decreasing; if you have this condition, your blood sugar can drop suddenly and, without immediate treatment, you can pass out or even go into a coma.
La very low blood sugar is a medical emergency; if you know someone who has diabetes and exhibits mild to moderate symptoms, tell them to eat 1 tablespoon of honey, 3 or 4 crackers, some sweet candy or a spoonful of sugar.
If the symptoms are to be more severe, they must call for help immediately and administer a drug called glucagon.
Hypoglycemia is a disease that could also cause serious symptoms so you should always contact your doctor if you suspect you have it to receive adequate treatment and instructions.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF HYPOGLYCEMIA?
Low blood sugar can occur for a variety of reasons; it is usually a side effect of diabetes treatment, which affects the body's ability to use insulin.
Other possible causes are:
- Skipping meals
- Excessive physical activity
- Drinking alcohol while taking diabetes medications
- Taking certain medications such as quinine
- Medical conditions such as hepatitis, endocrine disorders or kidney disorders
HOW IS LOW GLUCOSE DIAGNOSED?
If you suffer from diabetes you will surely have a glucometer with you to measure your blood sugar levels during the day; If you do not have diabetes but have symptoms attributable to hypoglycemia several times a week, see your doctor right away for tests.
Your doctor will almost certainly use three criteria, known as Whipple's triad, to diagnose low blood sugar; these criteria include:
- Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia: Your doctor may ask you to fast for a certain period of time to evaluate the symptoms;
- Blood tests at the time of symptoms;
- Disappearance of symptoms: It is necessary to check whether the symptoms of hypoglycemia disappear when blood sugar levels rise.
HYPOGLYCAEMIA AND PREVENTION
There are several ways to prevent hypoglycemia:
- Check your blood sugar levels often
- Organize smart snacks: try never to let more than 5 hours pass between meals and have a snack if you see that your blood sugar drops below 100 mg / dl;
- Always have carbohydrate-based snacks or drinks on hand during training
- Always contact your doctor with any doubts or symptoms
Do you suffer from or do you know someone who suffers from hypoglycemia? Let us know in the comments and remember to follow us on our telegram page
SUBSCRIBE HERE TO THE TELEGRAM CHANNEL