Hypoglycemia is defined as a condition in which the level of sugar in the plasma is low and may lead to medical consequences and even possible life-threatening damage if you are diagnosed with diabetes. In people without diabetes, it may occur as a result of prolonged fasting and therefore it is necessary to provide the body with something sweet. From a medical point of view, a blood sugar value below 70 mg per deciliter indicates hypoglycemia and in diabetics, it may be caused by uncontrolled consumption of insulin.
How can you recognize that you are in hypoglycemia?
Headache, blurred vision, lack of concentration, slurred speech, dizziness, restlessness, tremors, anxiety, palpitations, sweating, feeling hungry, circumcision, convulsions and even loss of consciousness, if the sugar level continues to drop and is not corrected. Therefore, it is very important to identify it in time to prevent the deterioration of the medical condition which can lead to loss of consciousness and in extreme cases even life-threatening.
What are the causes of hypoglycemia?
- Excessive drinking of alcohol – drinking alcoholic beverages prevents the production of glucagon, a hormone that releases energy in the form of glucose – sugar – from the liver into the bloodstream. If you feel hungry after drinking alcohol and have a strong need to eat, this is probably the reason.
- Prolonged hunger – people suffering from anorexia and eating disorders are in a very problematic situation in terms of the lack of food in the body. As a result of a lack of carbohydrates, their body does not produce enough glucose for circulation.
- Overproduction of insulin – a tumor in the pancreas that produces and secretes insulin, can cause hypoglycemia. When insulin levels are too high, blood sugar levels drop.
- Medicines – there are different types of medicines that have a negative effect on blood sugar levels. Check the sensitivity and instructions for use. It is recommended to take medicine together with eating food and a nutritious meal.
- Diseases – Liver diseases can cause a disorder in the liver, which does not produce enough glucose. Also, a decrease in renal function may cause longer insulin activity and thus cause a drop in blood sugar.
- The dawn phenomenon and the Somoji effect – against the background of hormonal changes that occur in the body in the morning hours, close to waking up. It is a breakdown of the sugar reserves in the body by the liver. Following nocturnal hypoglycemia, the Somoji effect occurs during which the liver compensates for the lack of sugar and breaks down existing sugar stores, which causes high sugar levels in the morning.
How to treat when sugar levels drop?
Most cases of hypoglycemia with or without symptoms, diagnosed by self-monitoring, can be effectively treated by taking a simple carbohydrate. According to the treatment guidelines of the American Diabetes Association published in 2022, glucose (15-20 grams) is the preferred treatment in a situation where the sugar level drops below 70 mg/dL and the patient is conscious. You can find glucose syrup in different flavors.
When the sugar level is already on the rise, it is advisable to eat a meal/snack with a complex carbohydrate (at least 20 grams) to prevent recurrence of hypoglycemia. It is recommended to monitor the sugar levels with a continuous blood glucose meter without stabs, which will show you the data immediately and in real time through an application on the mobile phone. Also, diabetics who require follow-up and medical support and manage diabetes control and reach balanced sugar levels, may benefit from using a continuous sugar cloth.
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Tips for treating hypoglycemia:
- Limit alcohol consumption – combine the alcohol initially during the day and not at night, therefore it is important, if at all to drink alcohol, that it be during the day and not at night, not on an empty stomach.
- Make changes to your diet – certain foods cause the blood sugar level to rise quickly and drop a few hours later. There are foods that keep sugar levels more constant and without sharp fluctuations. Checking the glycemic index in the foods you purchase and preferring foods with a low glycemic index is a good way to deal.
Foods with a low glycemic index include: chicken, fish and other proteins, nuts, almonds, beans, non-starchy vegetables such as asparagus, beets, broccoli and tomatoes.
You can still eat foods with a high glycemic index once in a while, but you should stick to smaller portions, with lots of healthy fat, protein and carbohydrates at the same time. What you eat is important, but how much, when and in what combination are just as important.
Keep a regular schedule in terms of your meal routine.
- Be careful with insulin – too much insulin is the most common cause of low blood sugar. If you are taking insulin to treat diabetes, be sure to use the correct type and dose each time.
- Check your sugar levels – if you are diabetic, it is necessary to monitor your sugar levels. It is recommended to use a continuous blood glucose meter and no injections. It helps detect conditions of low or high sugar levels (hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia).
- Exercise wisely – exercise uses up the excess glucose in the blood. and can lower blood sugar. As you sweat, your brain releases endorphins and other feel-good chemicals. Over time, exercise rewires the brain so you feel better overall.
Professor Julio Weinstein, director of the diabetes unit at the Wolfson Medical Center and senior diabetologist at the DMC Diabetes Center