Hypoglycemia

Sweet and low

Hypoglycaemia - or low blood sugar - is more often than not diagnosed as stress related, say the experts. Even so, there are some nutritional steps you can take to stop that weak and shaky feeling.

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) - An Addictive Cause

There are two types of hypoglycemia: reactive and passive. In reactive hypoglycemia, the pancreas overreacts and sends more insulin than necessary, causing blood sugar levels to plummet and depends on “what” is eaten. In passive hypoglycemia, it takes several hours for blood glucose levels to decrease and mainly depends on “when” one eats. Passive hypoglycemia can also be caused from heavy exercise or unusual stress. Both forms of hypoglycemia, however, are due to exhausted adrenal glands and a sluggish liver.

The science of "hangry" — how low blood sugar makes you a monster

But it's not just weird slang. There's a growing body of scientific evidence that being hangry is a completely real thing — and that low blood sugar leads to bad behavior

Handling Hypoglycemia: How To Balance Low Blood Sugar

Do you get a buzz from your morning coffee or smoothie, but lose steam with each passing hour? Maybe you get cranky, tired, shaky, and light-headed; it’s harder to stay focused. And then you feel a lift after lunch, but you crash in the late afternoon? You eagerly await your 4 o’clock coffee or chocolate chip muffin – and that almost holds you until dinnertime... If these ups and downs sound familiar, you may be struggling with low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycaemia: current management and controversies

Hypoglycaemia is a major burden on patients and society and is often a barrier to the achievement of tight glycaemic control.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar, can cause chills, clumsiness, and nightmares. For patients with diabetes, hypoglycemia can result from changes to their diets, such as skipping a meal or snack; changes in medication; or an increase in physical activity. For nondiabetic patients, consider underlying causes, such as hepatic disease, hypopituitarism, infection, medication use, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, and recovery from bariatric surgery.

Hypoglycemia and Risk of Death in Critically Ill Patients

In critically ill patients, intensive glucose control leads to moderate and severe hypoglycemia, both of which are associated with an increased risk of death. The association exhibits a dose—response relationship and is strongest for death from distributive shock.

Hypoglycemia Without Diabetes?

Hypoglycemia has been associated with multiple conditions other than diabetes, including alcoholism, certain medications, anorexia, liver and kidney disorders, and thyroid disorders.

Hypoglycemia: Nocturnal

When blood glucose levels fall below 70 mg/dl while sleeping at night, the person experiences a condition called nocturnal hypoglycemia. Studies suggest that almost half of all episodes of low blood glucose — and more than half of all severe episodes — occur at night during sleep.

Hypoglycemia: Why It’s So Much Worse Than Its Counterpart

Blood glucose levels can drop during the treatment of diabetes, giving rise to several symptoms with devastating effects. However, Hypoglycemia is not always associated with diabetes. Instead, you can be affected by low blood sugar in other situations such as when you consume certain medications for a prolonged period. Extensive physical exercise may also deplete glucose from your body. Consequently, your body begins to show the symptoms of Hypoglycemia.

Low Blood Sugar Levels May Keep Alzheimer's At Bay

People with diabetes are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Researchers say they are beginning to understand why, and the answer has to do with the way the brain uses sugar.

She Was Healthy and Active. Suddenly She Had a Seizure

She probably did have an insulinoma, Korytkowski told the patient and her husband. Now they just had to find it. The endocrinologist ordered a special CT scan with very fine visual slices of the pancreas. If she had a tumor, there was a very good chance that’s where they’d find it. And they did. A tiny mass, about the size of a green pea, located at the tail of the pancreas near the spleen.

What Does Hypoglycemia Without Diabetes Mean?

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar levels, can also occur in people without diabetes. Possible causes include alcohol use, certain medications, severe infections, and serious issues affecting your organs.

Why is hypoglycemia the elephant in the room?

“Hypoglycemia occurs most often in diabetes, when the doses of insulin or medications which stimulate insulin release are too high relative to food or activity. However, hypoglycemia can occur also when the body is making too much insulin on its own.

12 Low Blood Sugar Signs and Symptoms

Learn more about the symptoms of low blood sugar and how to avoid them.

Hypoglycemia Support Foundation

The Hypoglycemia Support Foundation provides support, advocacy and information about the causes, prevention and management of hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar. Blood sugar health is vitally important to understanding and maintaining metabolic health.

Endocrine Society

Symptoms of hypoglycemia include: Feeling shaky, sweaty, weak, headache, confusion, feeling like you may pass out, and feeling the heart racing.

MedicineNet

While people who do not have any metabolic problems can complain of symptoms suggestive of low blood sugar, true hypoglycemia usually occurs in people being treated for diabetes (type 1 and type 2). Individuals with pre-diabetes who have insulin resistance can also have low blood sugars on occasion if their high circulating insulin levels are further challenged by a prolonged period of fasting.

NIDDK

Low blood glucose is common among people with type 1 diabetes and among people with type 2 diabetes who take insulin or some other diabetes medicines. In a large global study of people with diabetes who take insulin, 4 in 5 people with type 1 diabetes and nearly half of those with type 2 diabetes reported a low blood sugar event at least once over a 4-week period.

SAEM

Hypoglycemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all patients with an altered mental status (including the pre-hospital setting). Nowadays, this condition is rapidly identified with bedside glucometers and rapidly treated with intravenous dextrose. A patient presenting with hypoglycemia can easily be misdiagnosed as a stroke, seizure, psychosis, drug ingestion, or a traumatic head injury if the blood glucose level is not obtained.

StatPearls

Hypoglycemia is often defined by a plasma glucose concentration below 70 mg/dL; however, signs and symptoms may not occur until plasma glucose concentrations drop below 55 mg/dL.

WikiEM

Concise summary on etiology and management.