What Is Hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia is a condition in which the blood sugar level of a person dips down below the normal level. This leaves you unable to perform daily activities due to the decrease in energy levels caused by low blood glucose levels in the body. It usually affects adults and children over 10 years of age as a side effect of taking diabetic medication, although other ailments and medications can also bring it on.

The majority of hypoglycemic suffers have diabetes. Due to being diabetic their body struggles to bring blood sugar levels back within a normal range should they start to fall. This can leave you feeling hungry, anxious, weak, light-headed or sleepy with excessive perspiration and dizziness. Usually the reaction is not serious and can be treated by eating or drinking sugar or carbohydrate rich products. However, it is important to note that potential symptoms should not be ignored as, left untreated, hypoglycemia can cause a person to lose consciousness.

Hypoglycemia can also affect people who do not suffer from diabetes. There are two types of hypoglycemia not related to diabetes - reactive and fasting hypoglycemia. Fasting hypoglycemia occurs when people go periods without food such as overnight or after exercise. This is not a common condition in people without diabetes and is usually associated with another illness or medication. While, reactive hypoglycemia happens within about 4 hours of eating a meal.

Should you suffer from reactive hypoglycemia the following steps have been suggested by some health officials to counter the symptoms - eating little and often, exercising regularly, having a varied, high fiber diet and cutting out or reducing your intake of sugary foods.

If you do suffer from hypoglycemia there are also some precautions that you could think about taking. For example, wearing a bracelet with the condition on it in case of emergencies. Telling your friends and work colleagues what your particular symptoms are so they can watch out for you and remind you to eat when you appear to become irritable or fatigued. Keeping suitable snacks on hand and remembering to eat regularly to keep your blood sugar levels steady, limiting alcohol consumption and finally checking your glucose levels before using heavy machinery, driving or doing any strenuous exercise.

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