What is Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)? Causes and Treatment

hypoglycemia It is called blood sugar falling below normal limits (70mg/dl or less). 

hypoglycemia, usually diabetes treatmentarises as a result of Although rare, other medications and various conditions can also occur in people who do not have diabetes. low blood sugar causes it to happen.

hypoglycemiais a condition that requires immediate treatment. In order for blood sugar to return to normal quickly, it is necessary to consume foods or drinks with a high sugar content. If in a long time cause of hypoglycemia should be identified and treated accordingly.

How does the body regulate blood sugar?

When we eat, our body carbohydrates breaks it down into various sugar molecules, including glucose.

Glucose, the main energy source of our body, enters the cells of most tissues with the help of the hormone insulin secreted by the pancreas. 

insulinIt allows glucose to enter cells and fuel cells need. Excess glucose is stored as glycogen in our liver and muscles.

If you do not eat for several hours and your blood sugar level drops, another hormone in the pancreas signals the liver to break down the glycogen it has stored and release glucose into the bloodstream. This keeps blood sugar in the normal range until you can eat again.

Our body also has the ability to make glucose. This process occurs mainly in the liver, but also in the kidneys.

What causes hypoglycemia?

hypoglycemiaoccurs when the blood sugar level falls too low. lowering of blood sugar there are some reasons. The most common is the side effect of drugs used to treat diabetes. Causes of hypoglycemia can be listed as;

Causes related to diabetes

Type 1 diabetes ve type 2 diabetes patients do not produce enough insulin. As a result, glucose builds up in the bloodstream and rises dangerously. To correct this problem, blood sugar levels need to be lowered by taking insulin and other medications.

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However, too much insulin and other diabetes medications can cause blood sugar levels to drop too low. hypoglycaemiatriggers it. If you eat less than usual or exercise more than you normally would after taking diabetes medicine hypoglycaemia It occurs.

Non-diabetic causes

In people without diabetes hypoglycaemiais not found very often. out of diabetes causes of hypoglycemia can be listed as:

  • Medicines: accidentally taking someone else's oral diabetes medication hypoglycaemiais the possible cause. certain medications, especially in children or people with kidney failure hypoglycaemiacauses it. An example of this is quinine, which is used to treat malaria.
  • Drinking too much alcohol: Drinking too much on an empty stomach prevents the liver from releasing stored glucose into the bloodstream. This too hypoglycaemiacauses it.
  • Some critical illnesses: Serious liver diseases such as severe hepatitis or cirrhosis hypoglycaemiamay cause. Kidney disorders that prevent the body from excreting drugs properly affect glucose levels due to the buildup of these drugs.
  • Excessive insulin production: A rare pancreatic tumor (insulinoma), causing too much insulin to be produced hypoglycaemia creates risk. 
  • Hormone deficiencies: Some adrenal gland and pituitary tumor disorders cause a deficiency of hormones that regulate glucose production. in children growth hormonelittle secretion of cause of hypoglycemiad.

What is reactive hypoglycemia?

hypoglycemia It often occurs when hungry. Sometimes symptoms of hypoglycemiaIt also happens after meals with a high sugar content because the body produces more insulin than it needs.

This "reactive hypoglycemiai" or "postprandial hypoglycemiaIt's called '. this type hypoglycaemiaOccurs in people who have had gastric bypass surgery. It can also be seen in people who have not had surgery.

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What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

Blood sugar if it falls too low symptoms of hypoglycemia it turns out like this:

  • Fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Fatigue
  • discoloration of the skin
  • Shake
  • Concern
  • Sweating
  • Hunger
  • Irritability
  • Tingling or numbness in the lips, tongue, cheek

hypoglycemia As it gets worse, the signs and symptoms change:

  • Difficulty doing daily chores
  • Blurred vision
  • Seizures
  • Loss of consciousness

hypoglycemia attack

repetitive hypoglycemia attacksmakes it difficult to recognize hypoglycemia. The body and brain no longer produce symptoms such as tremors or irregular heartbeats. This is life threatening risk of hypoglycemiaincreases.

diabetes and recurrent hypoglycemia attacks In this case, it is necessary to inform the doctor.

How is hypoglycemia treated?

Emergency treatment

Symptoms of hypoglycemia When it manifests itself, what needs to be done urgently are as follows:

  • Eat carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are easily converted into sugar in the body. Eat fruit juice, honey, sugary foods.
  • Recheck blood sugar level: Recheck the blood sugar level 15 minutes after eating carbohydrates. Continue eating carbohydrates and checking blood sugar until blood sugar rises above 70 mg/dL (3,9 mmol/L).
  • have a meal: When blood sugar normalizes, eating helps stabilize it and replenish the body's glycogen stores.

Treatment of the underlying condition

To prevent recurrence of hypoglycemia To do this, the doctor must identify and treat the underlying condition. Depending on the underlying cause, the treatments that can be applied are as follows:

  • Medicines: Cause of hypoglycemia If it is a medication, the doctor will likely change the medication or adjust the dose.
  • Tumor treatment: Tumor in the pancreas is treated by surgical removal of the tumor.

hypoglycemia nutrition

Nutrition in hypoglycemia is of great importance. Pay attention to the following points;

  • hypoglycemia attack Living people should reduce the amount of food they eat at meals and increase the number of meals. 3 main meals and 3 snacks can be made during the day.
  • skip a meal risk of hypoglycemiaincreases.
  • Especially on an empty stomach, it is necessary not to eat foods with additives.
  • Lean meat, poultry, fish, whole grain bread, pasta, quinoaConsume rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruits and dairy products.
  • Eat fiber-rich foods at main meals.
  • Do not consume alcohol on an empty stomach.
  • Caffeinated drinks hypoglycaemiatriggers it.
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What are the complications of hypoglycemia?

untreated hypoglycaemiais harmful to the body. Hypoglycemia is not treatedit causes:

  • Watch
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Death

hypoglycemia It can also contribute to:

  • Dizziness
  • Falling and fainting
  • injuries
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Higher risk of dementia in older adults

How to prevent hypoglycemia?

in diabetes

  • caused by diabetes hypoglycaemia It is necessary to carefully follow the treatment plan applied by the doctor. 
  • Be sure to carry carbohydrates with you to prevent blood sugar levels from falling dangerously.

Unless you have diabetes

  • Eating small, small meals during the day to prevent recurrence of hypoglycemia attacks prevents blood sugar levels from falling too low, albeit temporarily.
  • Hypoglycemia treatment The underlying cause should be determined and treated by a doctor.
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