When being proactive about our own health issues, it is very important to obtain correct and clear information. There is a lot of information out there and that can be a bit confusing. Take for instance the two conditions of hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia – they sound similar, but are they?
Hyperinsulinemia
When most hear the word, hyperinsulinemia, they probably think that this condition has something to do with diabetes. I did. A lot of the time, this condition is associated with type 2 diabetes, but in some rare cases, it’s not.
Let’s define hyperinsulinemia first. Basically, it’s occurs when you have too much insulin in your blood. If there is too much insulin in your blood, this signals doctors that there actually is another problem that’s the real cause of it. In most cases, the main cause is “insulin resistance.” If experiencing insulin resistance, the body won’t allow insulin to do it’s job – which is to lead sugar into cells in order to energize the body. Insulin resistance leads to type 2 diabetes.
However, there are rarer conditions that cause hyperinsulinemia, like tumors of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas or excessive numbers of insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Detection and treatment of these two conditions can only be done by a physician. Please seek medical assistance of your health assessment team if you suspect you are at risk.
Hypoglycemia
So now we are clear on hypoinsulinemia but what is hypoglycemia about? Simply defined, it is a condition in which a person has very low blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels must be high enough to allow an individual to have energy to live. Hypoglycemia is also commonly connected with diabetes but there are also other conditions/situations that can can cause a persons to become hypoglycemic.
For instance, taking someone else’s oral diabetes medications, side affects of other medications (such as, quinine), or too much alcohol consumed can cause the sugar levels to drop dramatically. Additionally, there are severe illnesses, such as kidney disorders, drug-induced hepatitis, tumors of the pancreas, endocrine deficiencies (as in the pituitary and adrenal glands) or anorexic nervosa that cause hypoglycemia as well.
If you are exhibiting signs or symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as listed below, please be sure to see your doctor as soon as possible:
Confusion
Visual disturbances
Seizures
Loss of consciousness
Heart palpitations
Tremors
Anxiety
Sweating
Hunger
Hypoglyemia can indicate diabetes or some of the other health problems as earlier discussed. Depending on what your underlying health problem is will determine the type of treatment recommended. For instance, if medications are causing hypoglycemia, your doctor will simply adjust the dosage or change medications altogether. In the case of tumors or enlargement of the pancreas, surgery is recommended for total or partial removal of this organ.
But if you have diabetes and your sugar levels are constantly dropping, then you should be more careful about following your diabetic management plan. Or if you don’t have diabetes, but suffer from recurring bouts of hypoglycemia, your doctor will encourage you to eat small, but frequent meals throughout the day. This will allow you to maintain appropriate blood sugar levels.
Whatever the case, hyperinsulinemia or hypoglycemia, it can be clearly seen that both conditions need not be taken lightly. Remember, these conditions may lead to a more serious health condition that requires immediate attention.
Resources: Mayo Clinic
Dita Faulkner is a freelance writer who writes poetry, fiction, and anything relating to women’s issues.
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