For the benefit of our readers, glucose is a type of sugar (carbohydrate). It is the body's main source of fuel. When the level of glucose in the blood becomes too low, it is called hypoglycemia. If the glucose levels are too low the body can not function properly.
Medication for diabetes is the most common cause particularly when combined with the following factors:
Taking too much blood sugar-lowering medication
Delaying or missing meals, or eating too little at meals
Too much or too strenuous exercise
Reactive hypoglycemia may also occur in people without diabetes. It is now thought to be quite rare.
Other causes of hypoglycemia include:
Drinking too much alcohol (especially binge drinking coupled with not eating)
Prolonged fasting
Early pregnancy
Long periods of strenuous exercise
Certain medications may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (people on beta blockers who exercise, aspirin in children)
Certain pituitary or adrenal gland conditions
Certain liver conditions
Certain types of stomach surgery
Certain autoimmune conditions
Hereditary enzyme or hormone deficiencies
A reaction to certain foods (rarely, eating unripe ackee fruit from Jamaica)
Pancreatic tumors
Tumors that produce an insulin-like hormone
Any severe or protracted illness, such as:
Heart or kidney failure
Metastatic cancer
Malnutrition
Severe infection
Anon, you need to see your doctor. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
If hypoglycemia is suspected, your doctor will try to document your low blood sugar. Your blood glucose levels will be measured while you are having symptoms.
If this is not possible, you may have a glucose tolerance test. This is a series of blood tests after taking glucose by mouth.
Other, less routine tests include:
Laboratory tests for antibodies to insulin
Imaging tests to check for a tumor, such as:
MRI scan —a test that uses radio waves and magnetic fields to make pictures of structures inside the body
CT scan—a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the body
Ultrasound—a test that uses sound waves to make pictures of structures inside the body
Treatments include:
Sugar
Symptoms of low blood sugar can be relieved quickly by:
Eating sugar in a rapidly absorbable form, such as:
Fruit
Fruit juice
Sugared soft drink
Table sugar in water
Candy
Taking glucose tablets
IV glucose (in severe cases)
Medication
Some people who have prolonged or severe hypoglycemia take glucagon. Glucagon is an injectable hormone. It raises blood sugar levels.
It can be used in emergencies when people have a severe reaction. It can be used if the person cannot take sugar by mouth.
Comment Reply
Hello Anon
Thank you for writing.
For the benefit of our readers, glucose is a type of sugar (carbohydrate). It is the body's main source of fuel. When the level of glucose in the blood becomes too low, it is called hypoglycemia. If the glucose levels are too low the body can not function properly.
Medication for diabetes is the most common cause particularly when combined with the following factors:
Taking too much blood sugar-lowering medication
Delaying or missing meals, or eating too little at meals
Too much or too strenuous exercise
Reactive hypoglycemia may also occur in people without diabetes. It is now thought to be quite rare.
Other causes of hypoglycemia include:
Drinking too much alcohol (especially binge drinking coupled with not eating)
Prolonged fasting
Early pregnancy
Long periods of strenuous exercise
Certain medications may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (people on beta blockers who exercise, aspirin in children)
Certain pituitary or adrenal gland conditions
Certain liver conditions
Certain types of stomach surgery
Certain autoimmune conditions
Hereditary enzyme or hormone deficiencies
A reaction to certain foods (rarely, eating unripe ackee fruit from Jamaica)
Pancreatic tumors
Tumors that produce an insulin-like hormone
Any severe or protracted illness, such as:
Heart or kidney failure
Metastatic cancer
Malnutrition
Severe infection
Anon, you need to see your doctor. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
If hypoglycemia is suspected, your doctor will try to document your low blood sugar. Your blood glucose levels will be measured while you are having symptoms.
If this is not possible, you may have a glucose tolerance test. This is a series of blood tests after taking glucose by mouth.
Other, less routine tests include:
Laboratory tests for antibodies to insulin
Imaging tests to check for a tumor, such as:
MRI scan —a test that uses radio waves and magnetic fields to make pictures of structures inside the body
CT scan—a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the body
Ultrasound—a test that uses sound waves to make pictures of structures inside the body
Treatments include:
Sugar
Symptoms of low blood sugar can be relieved quickly by:
Eating sugar in a rapidly absorbable form, such as:
Fruit
Fruit juice
Sugared soft drink
Table sugar in water
Candy
Taking glucose tablets
IV glucose (in severe cases)
Medication
Some people who have prolonged or severe hypoglycemia take glucagon. Glucagon is an injectable hormone. It raises blood sugar levels.
It can be used in emergencies when people have a severe reaction. It can be used if the person cannot take sugar by mouth.
I hope this helps-
August 28, 2017 - 5:16amSusan
This Comment
Reply