Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a condition where the level of glucose in the blood stream becomes too low. Glucose, a type of sugar (carbohydrate), is the body's main source of fuel. When the level of glucose in the blood stream falls too low, the body is without sufficient fuel to function properly.

Causes

Hypoglycemia most often occurs in people with diabetes. It can result from a combination of 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

Diabetic patients must consistently find a balance between the benefits of tight glucose control and the risk of hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia may also occur in certain predisposed individuals without diabetes. It can occur approximately 30 to 90 minutes after a high carbohydrate meal. This is due to excessive swings in insulin levels.
Other causes of hypoglycemia include:

Drinking too much alcohol (especially binge drinking coupled with not eating)
Prolonged fasting
Acute anxiety
Certain pituitary or adrenal gland conditions
Certain liver conditions
Certain types of stomach surgery
Certain autoimmune conditions
A reaction to certain foods (in children)
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

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

Diabetes
Drinking too much alcohol
Fasting, particularly in combination with strenuous exercise
Family history of hypoglycemia

Symptoms

Symptoms may come on slowly or suddenly.
Symptoms include:

Sweating
Nervousness
Feeling faint
Heart palpitations
Hunger
Headache

As hypoglycemia worsens symptoms may include:

Fatigue
Dizziness
Weakness
Inappropriate behavior or severe confusion
Loss of consciousness

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Initial diagnosis is based on your symptoms. If Hypoglycemia is suspected, your doctor will try to document your low blood sugar. While you are having symptoms, the doctor will try to measure your blood glucose level. If this is not possible, you may have a glucose tolerance test. This involves a series of blood tests after taking glucose orally.
Other tests may rarely 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

Treatment

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
Intravenous glucose (in severe cases)

Medication
Some people who have prolonged or severe hypoglycemia take glucogen. Glucogen is a hormone that raises blood sugar levels.
Surgery
If hypoglycemia is caused by a tumor, surgery to remove the tumor may be necessary.

Prevention

Measures that can help prevent Hypoglycemia include: People with Diabetes

Closely monitor medication as prescribed by your doctor.
Closely follow diet and exercise regimen prescribed by your doctor.
Avoid drinking alcohol in excess.

Non-Diabetic People Prone to Hypoglycemia

Avoid drinking too much alcohol.
Eat frequent, small meals (5-6 per day).
Take care to eat sufficiently before exercising.

People Prone to Severe Hypoglycemia
In addition to the above measures:

Wear a medical alert bracelet or other medical alert identification.
Learn to recognize symptoms and take quick corrective measures.