Hypogycemia is a condition where in your blood sugar drops below normal. The body needs sugar or glucose to energize its cells. Carbohydrates is the main source of this glucose and can be found in rice, potatoes, cereal, milk and other sweats.

How does the cycle work?

When you eat, the glucose is absorbed into your blood stream where it is taken to your cells to be used as energy. For the glucose to be accepted by the body’s cells, insulin is needed. This valuable hormone is secreted by the pancreas and acts like a key to open up the cells and let the sugar enter.

When there is excess sugar in the blood-ie you intake too much glucose at once, it is stored in the muscles or liver in the form of glycogen.  When the body runs low in sugar, the liver is signaled to release the stored sugar.

This cycle is usually enough to bring your body’s glucose levels back to normal. Hypoglycemia is usually mild and can be treated easily with the intake of glucose-rich food.

Common causes of Hypoglycemia

Those who suffer from diabetes are the ones who are most likely to experience hypoglycemia. Why you may ask when there is an excess of glucose in diabetic patients? Well,  when your body lacks enough insulin, this sugar can’t get into your cells. Patients then take insulin. If there happens to be too much insulin in comparison to what you have in your blood stream, hypoglycemia could result.

Over intake of alcohol can also cause this condition. This is especially so if you have taken a lot of alcohol on an empty stomach.  Your liver won’t be able to release it’s stored glucose to the bloodstream.

Severe illnesses. If you have liver problems for example, this may cause your liver to not be able to secret the needed glucose. Kidney problems also cause your body to keep medications in the blood stream and cloud out glucose.

Tumors in the pancreas can also cause the pancreas to produce too much insulin which in turns causes the glucose to be consumed too fast.

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia

Hunger-This is your body’s natural response to a lack of glucose. You may get extremely hungry all of a sudden.

Shakiness, weakness- this is a result of the extremely low levels of sugar.

Dizziness, light headedness- this is because your body has suddenly run out of energy.

Sleepiness, difficulty speaking, confusion and anxiety are other additional symptoms that you may also suffer.

Hypoglycemia is not as serous as diabetes and usually passes. Still, if you experience this frequently, you must consult a doctor since this may be a sign that you have some serious condition. Hypoglycemia is usually more common with people who have diabetes and can be the side effects of their medication.

There are many things that can be done when this suddenly happens to you or someone else. Usually, some glucose rich food is given to the sufferer. This is a good first aid method but after this, a proper doctor should be seen.

Updating...