What Is Hypoglycemia?
Author: Kirsten Whittaker
Hypoglycemia is a condition in which the blood sugar level of a
person dips down below the normal level. This leaves you unable
to perform daily activities due to the decrease in energy levels
caused by low blood glucose levels in the body. It usually
affects adults and children over 10 years of age as a side
effect of taking diabetic medication, although other ailments
and medications can also bring it on.
The majority of hypoglycemic suffers have diabetes. Due to being
diabetic their body struggles to bring blood sugar levels back
within a normal range should they start to fall. This can leave
you feeling hungry, anxious, weak, light-headed or sleepy with
excessive perspiration and dizziness. Usually the reaction is
not serious and can be treated by eating or drinking sugar or
carbohydrate rich products. However, it is important to note
that potential symptoms should not be ignored as, left
untreated, hypoglycemia can cause a person to lose
consciousness.
Hypoglycemia can also affect people who do not suffer from
diabetes. There are two types of hypoglycemia not related to
diabetes - reactive and fasting hypoglycemia. Fasting
hypoglycemia occurs when people go periods without food such as
overnight or after exercise. This is not a common condition in
people without diabetes and is usually associated with another
illness or medication. While, reactive hypoglycemia happens
within about 4 hours of eating a meal.
Should you suffer from reactive hypoglycemia the following steps
have been suggested by some health officials to counter the
symptoms - eating little and often, exercising regularly, having
a varied, high fiber diet and cutting out or
reducing your
intake of sugary foods.If you do suffer from hypoglycemia there are also some
precautions that you could think about taking. For example,
wearing a bracelet with the condition on it in case of
emergencies. Telling your friends and work colleagues what your
particular symptoms are so they can watch out for you and remind
you to eat when you appear to become irritable or fatigued.
Keeping suitable snacks on hand and remembering to eat regularly
to keep your blood sugar levels steady, limiting alcohol
consumption and finally checking your glucose levels before
using heavy machinery, driving or doing any strenuous exercise.
About the author:
Kirsten Whittaker would like to offer the opportunity to read
further articles related to hypoglycemia and diabetes for additional information and resources
please visit Understanding Diabetes
Thank you to our guest writer Kristen
Whittaker.
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