What is Hypoglycemia?

Learn more about this common medical condition. Hypoglycemia is also known low blood glucose or low sugar. This condition sets in when the glucose levels in the blood drop below normal blood glucose levels. The human body gets its glucose from food, and is an important source of energy. Glucose is typically generated from carbohydrate dietary sources. Some of the main sources of carbohydrates, or carbs, include foods such as bread, cereal, potatoes, milk, fruit and rice.

After you have eaten a meal, the body goes through the digestion process. Glucose that was ingested will then be absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the cells within the body. The pancreas creates a hormone called insulin, which helps the cells utilize glucose for its energy needs. Sometimes you may take in and ingest more glucose than what is burned for energy. When this happens, the body can then store excess glucose in a form called glycogen. The glycogen is stored in the liver and muscles for later use. When the body generates a need for energy between meals, the glycogen can then be utilized as glucose. When there is even more excess glucose that is not used during or between meals, the body may choose to store it in fat cells for later energy.

Hypoglycemic attack levels:

• mild attack
• moderate attack
• severe attack

With the onset of hypoglycemia, or lowering blood glucose, the pancreas generates another hormone called glucagon. When glucagon is created, it signals the liver to break down stored up glycogen into glucose, for somewhat immediate absorption into the body. Once glycogen is turned back into glucose and absorbed into the bloodstream, the blood sugar levels generally start to rise again toward normal levels. However, some people with diabetes have trouble absorbing the newly generated glucose into the blood, and the response to the hypoglycemia is impaired. When this occurs in people with diabetes, other hormones such as adrenaline, also called epinephrine, may help to increase the blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, people with diabetes who are treated with insulin or other medications to increase insulin production, blood sugar levels can experience difficulty returning to the normal glucose range.

Hypoglycemia can onset quickly and without warning. Most hypoglycemic cases tend to be mild in nature, and can be treated simply by ingesting glucose rich foods. However, hypoglycemia can get worse over time, especially if not properly treated. The more moderate or severe episodes can bring on issues such as fainting, clumsiness, confusion, and in extreme cases, seizures, coma or death. It is important to note that hypoglycemia can also occur from interactions with other medications, hormone deficiencies, tumors or disease.

If you experience anything resembling hypoglycemic conditions, you should contact your doctor or healthcare provider and discuss your situation.

Resources:
• www.medicinenet.com/hypoglycemia/article.htm      
• diabetes.webmd.com/tc/hypoglycemia-low-blood-sugar-topic-overview