Low blood sugar - what are the causes of this phenomenon? A decrease in blood sugar in an adult and a child is no less dangerous than an increase, because at this moment the brain is at great risk. The condition when a person has low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia. What does this mean? This means that for some reason the body does not have enough glucose, but it is, in some way, fuel for organs and systems. Thanks to it, cells receive the necessary amount of energy for normal functioning. A drop in blood sugar is a dangerous condition that can lead a person to a coma. To avoid such serious consequences, those at risk should regularly measure their blood glucose levels and listen to their body. So, what does blood sugar depend on?
Why do glucose levels decrease?
It often happens that sugar levels are remembered when people talk about diabetes. Those who have been diagnosed with this disease know what to do if the levels are elevated. But it also happens that the blood sugar level decreases. This can happen in completely healthy people. This does not always become very dangerous; often this phenomenon is temporary and does not lead to serious pathologies.
In order to behave correctly when blood sugar is below normal and not panic, you should know the reasons for such changes in the body. The degree of development of this process can be mild, moderate and severe.
If a person can cope with the first and second ones on their own (the main thing is to know the causes of low blood sugar and how to deal with it), then a severe stage of hypoglycemia can result in serious irreversible processes that require immediate medical attention in order to quickly bring blood sugar levels to normal .
If a person has diabetes, a drop in sugar levels can occur for the following reasons:
- excessive consumption of simple carbohydrates;
- drinking strong alcoholic drinks and eating a small amount of food;
- uneven hourly intervals between meals;
- taking medications in combination with antidiabetic drugs;
- taking an increased dose of insulin;
- taking older generation antidiabetic drugs.
Unfortunately, low glucose levels can also occur in healthy people. Why does blood sugar drop in people without pathologies?
The following factors play a big role in this:
- overdose of alcoholic beverages;
- excessive physical activity;
- exposure to certain medications;
- metabolic disease;
- problems with the kidneys, pancreas, liver;
- insufficient consumption of carbohydrates (for example, on a no-carbohydrate diet);
- meals 1-2 times a day and long breaks between meals;
- abuse of sweets;
- decrease in glucose in the morning, if more than 8-10 hours have passed since yesterday's meal.
And although this happens rarely, you need to know the causes of low blood sugar in order to help yourself in time.
Symptoms of low glucose
The decrease in blood sugar can vary in intensity. If the level drops slightly, then the person may not feel any special symptoms. Over time, if the cause of this phenomenon is eliminated (for example, a normal meal or reducing the number of cakes, pastries or sweets eaten), sugar returns to normal.
With a slight decrease in sugar levels, noticeable symptoms may include the following:
- mild nausea;
- weakness, dizziness;
- blurred vision;
- feeling of hunger;
- irritability;
- anxiety;
- sweating (especially in the back of the neck);
- chills;
- cardiopalmus;
- tingling sensation in your fingers and toes or numbness in these areas.
If you experience more than one of these symptoms, it may indicate low blood sugar. What to do in this case? The lack of sugar can be replenished by eating some sweets (for example, candy).
The average decrease in blood sugar looks like this:
- severe irritability;
- muscle cramps;
- tearfulness;
- drowsiness;
- impaired coordination of movement when walking;
- unclear consciousness;
- poor spatial orientation;
- fast fatiguability.
All of these symptoms of low blood sugar are caused by poor brain function.
If the glucose level is low, then the brain suffers first of all; it cannot function normally, which affects a person’s well-being. If eating sweets or drinking sweet juice does not help, you should consult a doctor. In this case, you should remember what preceded this condition, so that the doctor quickly finds out why the sugar dropped and takes appropriate measures.
But a more significant drop in sugar already seriously affects human health.
Symptoms of low sugar that occur with severe hypoglycemia are:
- significant decrease in body temperature;
- cerebrovascular accident (stroke);
- involuntary muscle contraction;
- coma.
If sugar drops to a critical level, this means that irreversible processes in the brain or serious problems in the functioning of the cardiovascular system are possible. Sometimes blood sugar can drop while a person is sleeping. At the same time, he sweats a lot, may sleepwalk or fall out of bed, make unusual noises, and may have nightmares, which increases anxiety.
Children belong to a category of people who practically do not feel that their health is not all right and their blood sugar levels are low. Their behavior is not much different from when they have normal indicators. Symptoms of low blood sugar appear at 2.2-2.6 mmol/l. Adults feel a problem already at 3.8 mmol/l.
What to do?
If a person is healthy, then the normal glucose level ranges from 3.2 to 5.5 mmol/l. This figure is the same for men and women. For children from birth to school age, the numbers will be lower.
Not all signs of low blood sugar are the basis for a diagnosis of hypoglycemia. After measuring glucose levels and analyzing symptoms, the doctor recommends eating or drinking something sweet. If the symptoms disappear after this, the problem goes away on its own. But if signs of low blood sugar remain the same or increase, the doctor examines the patient, asking him about his lifestyle, eating patterns, weight changes, treatment of other diseases and taking appropriate medications.
To avoid making a mistake in diagnosis, the doctor also needs the following information:
- whether the patient experienced severe stress (emotional stress);
- does he have problems with the endocrine system;
- whether he has epilepsy (this provokes low blood sugar);
- whether there was carbon monoxide poisoning;
- Is the pancreas healthy (pathologies of this organ can lower glucose levels).
Only after this is the necessary treatment prescribed.
Low blood sugar is not a death sentence. The main thing is not to panic and contact a specialist in a timely manner. He will explain how to eat, what to avoid, what actions to take if your sugar level is low.
If you know that tomorrow you need to take tests on an empty stomach, then to obtain objective data you should know the following rules:
- The day before the test, you should not drink alcohol.
- You should only drink water.
- There is no need to brush your teeth on the day of the test: the sugar included in any toothpaste can lower your sugar level.
Low blood glucose can be expressed in different ways - from mild to severe. But any of these conditions must be under control.
Hypoglycemia, or, as this condition of the body is commonly called, low blood sugar, is quite dangerous, especially for patients suffering from diabetes. It can be determined by physiological manifestations, deterioration in general well-being, as well as by examining the blood for glucose levels, the result of which will show values below generally accepted norms.
The signs that accompany this condition are usually poorly tolerated by the human body, and can lead to a rapid and significant increase in negative symptoms. In some cases, hypoglycemia indicates insufficient quality of correction of diabetes mellitus or the parallel occurrence of pathological processes of a different nature.
More about blood glucose
Initially, it is worth saying that a blood test for sugar is a generally accepted expression, but within the framework of modern medicine it is not entirely correct. The very phrase “blood sugar” dates back to the Middle Ages. Doctors and healers of that time believed that the amount of sugar was directly related to the appearance of excessive thirst, pustular infections and frequent urination.
Today, it is no secret to doctors that there is no so-called sugar (sucrose) in the blood, because studies have confirmed that simple sugars are converted into glucose through chemical reactions. And it, in turn, performs one of the leading functions in metabolism. And now, when we talk about the normal blood sugar level, we mean the content of glucose, a universal substance that supplies energy to all human tissues and organs.
With its participation, heat exchange occurs, the brain and the entire nervous system are nourished, and toxic substances are removed from the body. When supplied with food, glucose is consumed by tissues, and is also deposited and accumulated in muscles and liver in the form of glycogen, which, if necessary, can again be converted into simple sugars and returned to the blood.
Thus, the circulation of glucose in the body supports its normal functioning, and, consequently, the person’s well-being. Glucose (C 6 H 12 O 6) is the most important substance in terms of metabolism, and any disturbance in its concentration can cause the development of severe complications.
In addition to glucose, when sucrose is broken down in the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract), fructose is also formed, which is also a simple saccharide, like the first. In diabetes mellitus, there is a deficiency of hormones that promote the absorption of glucose, as a result of which it is retained in the blood instead of being converted into glycogen.
Increased glucose in the blood, as well as in the urine, are direct laboratory signs of the disease and pose a danger to human life and health. Insulin, which is prescribed to such patients, helps transform free glucose into glycogen.
At the same time, it often happens that an incorrectly selected dosage of insulin or a meal taken at the wrong time leads to a lack of glucose and the development of hypoglycemia, which is the same dangerous condition as hyperglycemia. In certain situations, serious health consequences can develop even with short-term glycemia, especially if the level drops very quickly.
Reasons for the decline
A drop in blood glucose levels can be either physiological, that is, observed in healthy people, or pathological, caused by the occurrence of certain diseases. The main causes of low sugar levels that are not related to disease are the following:
- low calorie content of the daily diet as a result of malnutrition, which can happen with a strict diet, for example, in order to quickly lose extra pounds;
- drug and alcohol intoxication, poisoning of the body with arsenic salts, chloroform, dehydration;
- long intervals between meals, lasting more than 8 hours, eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia), thirst;
- intravenous drip infusion of saline without adding glucose to it;
- excessive physical activity, for example, fatigue during work or professional sports;
- increased consumption of carbohydrates, that is, an excess of sweets, confectionery, carbonated drinks with a high sugar content, as well as foods with a high glycemic index.
Reference! Dessert and fortified wines and beer first cause a rapid increase in blood glucose, and then a sharp and rapid drop in the level.
In such situations, there is a lack of energy, which the body eliminates through internal “reserves” - by reverse conversion of glycogen stored in skeletal muscles and liver. And also a decrease in blood sugar can occur due to the development of various diseases, such as:
- diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2 – glucose levels often drop as a result of an overdose of insulin or other medications that help lower it;
- diseases of the kidneys, adrenal glands or liver;
- renal and heart failure, stroke;
- obesity, pancreatitis, sarcoidosis, hormonal disorders,
- Insulinoma is a tumor of the pancreas, the cells of which are capable of producing insulin, thereby creating an excess of it in the body.
Most often, a decrease in blood sugar is observed with an incorrectly administered dose of insulin, which means that hypoglycemia is most dangerous for people suffering from diabetes mellitus and forced to take this hormone.
The second place is given to physical exhaustion that occurs against the background of starvation or malnutrition. Other options are quite rare, are not always accompanied by additional symptoms, and without a doctor it will be impossible to find out why the sugar dropped.
Manifestations of moderate hypoglycemia
In order to always be on guard and be able to quickly respond to changes in the general well-being of yourself or a loved one, you should know the main signs that accompany low blood sugar. In an adult, the following manifestations are most often present:
- general weakness, causeless fatigue;
- headaches, dizziness;
- trembling (tremor) in the limbs, their numbness;
- tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
- rapid, uneven pulse, drowsiness;
- excessive nervousness, irritability;
- feeling of extreme hunger, sweating;
- poor coordination of movements, pale facial skin,
- Pupils are dilated, there is double vision, darkening.
All of the above symptoms of low blood sugar can be observed both in a person sitting or lying motionless, or in a sleeping person. They are due to the fact that the brain consumes glucose in approximately the same quantities as the muscles, and if there is a lack of it, it also goes hungry.
Reference! Signs of nocturnal hypoglycemia develop due to a decrease in the functional activity of the endocrine system at a given time of day.
As a rule, a person has restless sleep, often accompanied by nightmares, he may behave noisily, and try to get up without waking up. As a result, the patient often falls out of bed, sweats profusely, wakes up with cramps in the lower extremities, and suffers from a headache in the morning.
If at this stage of hypoglycemia a person is not given glucose (best in a quickly digestible form: sugar, sweets, honey, cake, etc.), then his condition will worsen. A further drop in glucose concentration can cause more severe and life-threatening symptoms for the patient:
- confusion;
- incoherent speech;
- convulsive attacks.
The most common signs of hypoglycemia
Symptoms of a sharp drop in sugar
A sharp decrease in glucose in most cases develops in patients with type 1 diabetes who require regular subcutaneous injections of insulin. In some situations, a rapid drop in sugar concentration is caused by an overdose of insulin due to incorrect use.
However, it can also sharply decrease in patients with type 2 diabetes who take medications that stimulate the synthesis of insulin by the pancreas. Most often these are sulfonylurea derivatives and drugs of the meglitinide group. When blood glucose drops sharply, a person develops characteristic symptoms, namely:
- tachycardia, tremors of extremities;
- pale skin;
- loss of ability to navigate in space;
- slower reactions or, conversely, restless behavior and aggressiveness.
Reference! The appearance of hallucinations, delirium, confusion, and convulsions in the patient are signs of a developing hypoglycemic coma, which can lead to cerebral edema and death of the patient.
Low blood sugar in pregnant women
The symptoms of low blood glucose in women are not much different from the symptoms of this condition in men. When the described substance declines, representatives of the weaker half of humanity may experience:
- increased heart rate, combined with strong inexplicable fear and anxiety;
- dizziness, visual impairment, tremor and weakness in the limbs;
- increased sweating and severe hunger.
Low sugar levels are often observed in women carrying a child, especially in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. This is due to a significant change in hormonal levels, which increases the sensitivity of the body's cells to insulin. As a result, the body tissues of a pregnant woman utilize glucose faster.
And the fetus’s body also needs glucose. Unlike diabetes that develops in pregnant women, low blood glucose in women preparing to become mothers does not pose a particular danger, but requires only fractional meals. That is, they need to eat often, but in smaller portions.
When should you see a doctor?
The threshold for reducing glucose levels at which symptoms of hypoglycemia appear is individual for each patient. Some people may feel fine with a reading below 2.2 mmol/l, while for others a reading of 3 becomes critical and they are likely to develop coma.
Patients with type 1 diabetes should measure their blood sugar several times a day using a portable personal glucose meter. Those who do not use this device and are often unaware of the presence of diabetes (mostly adults who developed type 2 diabetes in adulthood) should be wary of the following and should be a reason for a visit to an endocrinologist:
- sudden increase in resting heart rate;
- feeling of fatigue and weakness in the lower extremities;
- increased sweating in the absence of physical activity;
- attacks of unreasonable fear, trembling in the hands;
- inability to concentrate;
- attacks of weakness or dizziness;
- visual impairment.
If one or several manifestations arise, a person’s first action should be to seek medical help and undergo all necessary tests. The doctor will consult the patient in detail, tell you what to do in such situations, and possibly recommend adjusting your lifestyle.
Norms and deviations
In order not to miss a sharp and significant drop in glucose, but, on the contrary, to track hypoglycemia in time, you need to go to the laboratory on an empty stomach and take a finger prick blood test. This can be done at home using a glucometer, which every person with diabetes should have.
Blood sugar is in the range of 3–6 mmol/l, namely:
- newborn infants 2.7–4.5 mmol/l;
- older children – 3–5.5 mmol/l;
- adults – 3.5–6 mmol/l.
It should not be forgotten that for adults, a value of 5.5–6 mmol/l is considered an alarm bell, which in medicine is called the state of prediabetes. A shift in the coefficient to the lower limit of normal may indicate exhaustion of the body or persistent hypoglycemia.
A condition in which blood glucose is sharply reduced, and at the same time it is accompanied by neurological symptoms: convulsive syndrome, loss of consciousness, is very dangerous, and therefore requires immediate hospital treatment. In the process of therapy and correction of blood sugar levels, additional studies will certainly be carried out, which will help to understand the cause of these deviations.
And the doctor will also talk with the patient about measures to improve the body’s health, which include diet, giving up bad habits, fighting obesity and getting enough rest. As a rule, changes in lifestyle, routine and diet in the initial stages of diseases help reduce the likelihood of developing serious health problems.
Portable device (glucometer) for measuring blood glucose levels
How to help with severe hypoglycemia?
The condition of acute sudden hypoglycemia must be stopped within 5–10 minutes, otherwise there is a risk of fainting and other life-threatening complications. To make up for the lack of glucose in the blood, you should eat or drink something sweet or containing carbohydrates.
The most effective products that help relieve an attack in 5–10 minutes are:
- fruit juice (half a glass is enough);
- sugar (1–2 teaspoons);
- honey (2 teaspoons);
- jam (1–2 tbsp);
- caramel (1–2 pcs.);
- lemonade or other sweet drink (1 glass).
After eating, the attack will be stopped, but you should not ignore the symptoms preceding it, even if it is still minor and does not cause much discomfort. It should be remembered that at any moment (if the dosage of blood sugar-lowering drugs is incorrect or a meal is skipped), the attack may recur, and it is not known what intensity it will be.
For patients. Any sign of hypoglycemia should be a reason to visit a doctor and undergo a thorough examination. If no pathologies are found, then it is necessary to use the doctor’s recommendations to reduce the likelihood of recurrence of alarming symptoms. If a disease is detected, get advice and therapeutic prescriptions that will stabilize the state of the endocrine system.
Blood is the main fluid for the body, so its condition must be carefully monitored. After all, even a minor change in its composition can lead to serious consequences.
Sugar level is an important indicator of the normal functioning of all organs and systems in the human body. The concentration of glucose reflects how carbohydrate metabolism occurs, and this substance is also considered the main source of energy for the body.
Sugar enters the bloodstream after eating carbohydrate foods. Its content can be low, normal and high.
Everyone knows that when glucose levels are too high, it has a very bad effect on systems and organs. Moreover, this condition is typical for people with diabetes. But if blood sugar is below normal, what does this mean?
What is hypoglycemia and why does it develop?
Blood sugar levels are related to what a person regularly eats. So, when eating sweet and carbohydrate dishes, the indicators increase sharply. At the same time, the pancreas begins to intensively produce insulin, a hormone that converts glucose into energy.
When insulin stops being produced, glucose levels should return to normal, but with various disorders this does not happen. For example, in diabetes, hypoglycemia very often occurs when, after eating, the pancreas does not produce the required amount of the hormone.
But sometimes low sugar is also observed in a healthy person. This often happens during exercise of varying intensity.
The normal fasting glucose level in the morning ranges from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol/l. With insignificant deviations of 5.6-6.6 mmol/l, we can talk about impaired glucose tolerance. This condition is borderline between normal and abnormal, and if sugar is above 6.7 mmol/l, then this is considered a clear sign of diabetes.
Hypoglycemia can be present not only in diabetics, but even in healthy people and children. Leading causes of low sugar:
The causes of hypoglycemia in young girls are non-compliance with diet. After all, women very often go on low-calorie diets.
Bad habits (smoking, alcohol) can also lower glucose concentrations. Moreover, until a person completely gives up alcohol and cigarettes, it is not always possible to normalize sugar levels even with the help of medications.
Often the causes of hypoglycemia lie in the presence of malignant tumors. After all, neoplasms in the pancreas often lead to tissue proliferation, including beta cells responsible for the production of insulin.
In diabetics, low sugar is detected due to an overdose of insulin or other medications and against the background of persistent kidney problems. Changing medications also causes spikes in glucose levels.
The following causes of hypoglycemia in diabetes are fasting, excessive physical activity, taking drugs, alcohol, and the introduction of a new sugar-lowering drug into therapy.
Moreover, low blood glucose levels can develop if a diabetic further lowers the sugar concentration without adjusting the dose of essential medications.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Sugar level
A low glucose reading often appears in the morning, immediately after the urge. In this case, to normalize it, it is enough to have a hearty breakfast.
But sometimes after breakfast or lunch a hypoglycemia response occurs. This sign often indicates the development of diabetes.
The main symptoms of low sugar concentration include:
- hyperhidrosis;
- nausea;
- rapid pulse and tachycardia;
- flush of heat and tremors in the hands;
- extreme thirst and hunger;
- irritability;
- polyuria.
Other symptoms of low sugar include drowsiness, pale skin of the face, legs and arms, apathy and dizziness. Visual disturbances (spots, double vision or blurred vision), heaviness, weakness or numbness in the legs often appear. Also, with hyperglycemia, the palms sweat, which happens even in the cold.
Manifestations of low sugar at night include talking during sleep and heavy sweating. And after waking up, a person feels weak and is constantly irritated by little things.
Similar symptoms occur due to brain starvation. Therefore, if blood sugar is below normal (less than 3.3 mmol/l), then you should quickly eat carbohydrates.
In the absence of any action, a number of complications may develop. At the initial stage, convulsions, absent-minded attention, unsteady gait and incoherent speech appear.
Afterwards, loss of consciousness occurs and there is a possibility of developing a convulsive syndrome. Diabetics in this state often fall into a coma. Hypoglycemia often leads to the development of a stroke.
It is worth noting that children are less sensitive to hypoglycemia. But if it is pronounced, then such patients also develop a number of symptoms, which include:
- strong appetite;
- pain in the legs and stomach;
- weakness;
- desire to relax;
- silence and atypical calmness;
- poor intelligence;
- sweating of the head.
The diagnosis of hypoglycemia is made based on three factors. These are laboratory tests, medical history and patient complaints.
To find out the sugar level in the laboratory, a glucose tolerance test is performed. Its essence lies in the fact that the patient’s indicators are recorded on an empty stomach, and then they are given a sweet solution. After 2 hours, the sugar level is measured again.
You can also find out about the presence of hypo- or hyperglycemia at home. A glucometer is used for this purpose.
Emergency methods for increasing glucose concentrations
Before the ambulance arrives, it is advisable to lay the victim on his side with his upper leg bent at the knee. This will prevent the pit from choking on its own tongue.
If you have experience at home, the patient is administered 20 ml of glucose solution, glucagon or adrenaline (0.5 ml).
Diet therapy
Nutrition has a significant impact on fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Therefore, patients with an increased risk of developing hyperglycemia should contact an endocrinologist, who will prescribe them a special diet.
The diet is selected based on various factors (severity of the condition, age, presence of concomitant diseases). However, there are general principles that should be followed by everyone who does not want to have health problems, including low sugar.
The first rule is to increase the amount of slowly digestible carbohydrates you consume. These products include baked goods made from whole grain flour, vegetables and various cereals.
Juice, candy, honey and cookies should be consumed in moderation. And you must avoid alcohol, baked goods, rich broths, semolina, soft wheat pasta, animal fats, spices and smoked meats.
It is important to eat fractionally, taking food in small portions. Preference should be given to foods rich in fiber (potatoes, peas, corn). Such food slows down the process of absorption of sugar obtained from complex carbohydrates.
Fruits should be a mandatory component of the daily menu. But it is better to avoid overly sweet fruits (banana, melon, strawberries, grapes).
Of no small importance in the diet is given to proteins, the amount of which should prevail over carbohydrates. Preference is given to dietary types of meat and fish, namely rabbit, chicken, turkey, beef, hake and mentai. You can also eat nuts and low-fat dairy products.
Here is an approximate daily diet, following which you can prevent the development of hyperglycemia:
- Breakfast - soft-boiled eggs, unsweetened tea, a piece of whole grain bread.
- The first snack is milk (1 cup) or unsweetened fruit.
- Lunch – vegetable salad and soup in low-fat broth or steamed fish with vegetables and tea.
- The second snack is a herbal decoction and 2 unsweetened fruits or walnuts (up to 50 g).
- Dinner - boiled rabbit or chicken with vegetables, tea or chicory.
- 2 hours before bedtime you can drink 200 ml of kefir (1%).
The video in this article reveals the essence of gmpoglycemia in diabetes mellitus.
One of the most important nutritional components of the body is glucose (or sugar), the main purpose of which is to provide energy for the vital functions of tissues and the brain. The energy required for tissues is produced during the oxidative chemical reaction of glucose. Contents from 3.3 to 5.5 mmol/l are considered standard values. Low blood sugar is one of the common signs of malaise and weakness.
In cases where blood glucose is diagnosed to be less than 3.3 mmol/l, a disease is referred to as hypoglycemia. This condition occurs both at a higher level and at a lower one: in those who are sick, and a similar phenomenon is also observed in some healthy people. In such situations, the diagnosis takes into account the individual characteristics of the body, which can be determined both physiologically and psychologically.
Symptoms
When hypoglycemia is observed, symptoms of low glucose levels most often appear in the early morning after a night's sleep and are expressed in general weakness, irritability and drowsiness (provided full sleep).
If it occurs in the body after finishing a meal, then this may be a symptom of the development of diabetes mellitus, which manifests itself in malaise and severe fatigue, a feeling of irritability, sweating, also in the form of chills or, conversely, a feeling of heat, muscle weakness and hand tremors, in the most advanced cases - and vision.
Malaise and severe fatigue
The reasons for the decline are easily diagnosed, and in most cases can be easily corrected. These include: various types of unbalanced diets and fasting, violations of the diet (significant breaks in food intake), excessive consumption of carbohydrate foods: sweet pastries, rolls, candy products, jams and preserves, fruit juices and refined white rice. In addition, this phenomenon can be provoked by constant increased physical activity.
Among other things, blood hypoglycemia can be caused by diseases such as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, the presence of a tumor in the body, liver damage and kidney failure, and alcohol intoxication.
Diagnostics
The quantitative content of sugar in the blood is also tested at home.
(glucose) early in the morning. Blood is drawn from a finger. For self-measurement at home, a device such as a glucometer is used.
To obtain a reliable result, you must follow a number of rules:
- Before testing for the presence of sugar, the piercing site is thoroughly treated with an alcohol-containing liquid. If the analysis is carried out, you must wash your hands thoroughly with soap. This procedure is necessary both for disinfection and to increase blood circulation at the collection site.
- Blood can be taken from both the fingers of the left and right hand. Typically, the puncture is made on the pads of one of three fingers: the little finger, ring finger or middle finger.
- If blood is taken frequently, puncture sites need to be changed.
- In order for the result to be reliable, the first drop of blood that appears at the puncture site is removed.
In particularly complex and severe cases, to diagnose low blood sugar, the doctor may prescribe fasting, which can be short-term (one night) or long-term (for two days).
Glucometer for home diagnostics Making a diagnosis of hypoglycemia is accompanied by collecting the patient’s medical history: studying the medical history, information about weight changes, dietary habits and medications. In addition, the liver and kidneys are palpated, and the skin is examined for pigmentation features and the presence of swelling.
Treatment
If low blood sugar is detected during diagnosis, what to do and what measures to take to normalize it?
Treatment of low blood sugar can be carried out with the prescription of medications (in particularly difficult cases) or in a more gentle mode, consisting of a balanced and regular diet and reduced physical activity.
Be sure to include glucose-containing foods in your diet: grains, some vegetables (including corn, beets, peas, potatoes), fermented milk products, berries, fruits and honey.
Foods High in Glucose It must be borne in mind that if a decrease in blood sugar occurs in diabetic patients, treatment is prescribed only by a doctor; taking foods and medications that increase blood sugar on your own is strictly prohibited.
First aid
A sharp drop in blood sugar levels is a rather dangerous phenomenon not only for the person himself, but also for those around him, since this condition affects the nervous system, as a result of which orientation in space can be disrupted, loss of creation, disruption of coherent speech and vision is possible.
If, for example, a drop in glucose in a person’s body occurs suddenly while driving, then there is a high probability of accidents and injuries.
In order to quickly raise blood sugar, it is recommended to eat something sweet, for example, candy, honey or jam, a piece of sugar, or drink a glass of fruit juice or a carbonated drink.
Therefore, it is important to be able to recognize in time the symptoms of low blood sugar, indicating a drop in blood glucose, and take urgent measures to increase it.
Blood sugar is involved in the primary metabolic processes of metabolism in the body. Its main function is to supply energy to the cells of the body and participate in the process of synthesis of adenosine triphosphate acid, which is subsequently necessary for lipid metabolism.
The human body receives sugar from almost all foods. It is recommended to monitor the level of this substance in the blood, even if there is no predisposing factor to the development of diabetes mellitus or another disease. Even with a healthy lifestyle, changes in sugar levels are possible. Its level can fluctuate due to physical activity. The main thing is that in such situations the brain suffers, the person feels rapid fatigue, and in advanced cases, fainting and coma may occur.
general information
There are many reasons for low blood sugar, but nutrition comes first. In medicine, a condition in which sugar levels decrease is called hypoglycemia.
An increase in sugar always occurs after eating, at this time the pancreas works intensively and insulin is actively produced. As soon as the hormone is converted into energy, the sugar level immediately decreases. If sugar is below the “norm” mark, then this does not happen. The result is fatigue and lethargy. Against this background, diabetes may develop.
Normal 3.3-5.5 mmol/l.
Possible reasons
First of all, poor nutrition leads to low blood sugar levels. This means not only fast food, but also an excessive passion for flour and sweet products. Long breaks between meals also lead to worsening of the condition. Passion for alcohol and smoking. Neoplasms on the pancreas.
In addition, other provoking factors can be identified:
- taking a number of medications;
- obesity;
- renal failure;
- idiopathic diseases;
- disturbances in the functioning of the hormonal system and liver;
- early pregnancy;
- severe physical activity.
How does it manifest?
The main symptom of low blood sugar is hunger. This is the first signal that there is a lack of glucose in the body. And the easiest way to eliminate this condition in the presence of stage 1 hypoglycemia is to eat a product high in carbohydrates. Accordingly, it is not recommended to starve, but to eat small portions after a certain amount of time, and then there will be no sharp fluctuations in glucose levels.
Quite often the symptoms are very weakly expressed and the person attributes his fatigue and aggressive state to the rhythm of life. However, if symptoms appear on rest days, you should get tested.
Dizziness
The next symptom of low blood sugar, which is quite common, is dizziness. This is due to the fact that, against the background of a lack of glucose in the vessels of the brain, the normal process of blood circulation is disrupted. Oxygen starvation sets in, and the body itself is unable to produce the required amount of energy.
Along with dizziness, a person may experience disorientation in space and trembling in the body. A man appears and appears to be about to fall.
Weakness and lethargy
Symptoms of low blood sugar may include lethargy and weakness. The mood can constantly change, from tearfulness to aggression, which has no reason. In very severe cases, a person may stop paying attention to the world around him and even fall into a coma.
Therefore, it is very important to control blood sugar levels when nervous; perhaps it is the lack of glucose that affects the psycho-emotional state.
Heart problems
Hypoglycemia can cause tachycardia and increased heart rate. If you do not increase your glucose level, you may experience pain in the heart, and your blood pressure gradually decreases. In such situations, if nothing is done, a heart attack or heart failure may develop.
Thirst and sweating
Another symptom of low blood sugar is thirst accompanied by excessive sweating. A person may drink a lot of liquid, sweat a lot, and at the same time constantly feel thirsty. It feels like everything in your mouth is dry and it’s hard to swallow. However, after stopping the attack, as a rule, the symptoms completely go away.
Night attacks
The most dangerous situation is if hypoglycemia occurs at night. After all, it is quite difficult to adjust blood sugar levels during sleep unless the symptoms force you to wake up. This condition manifests itself in sweat and restless sleep. A person may have nightmares, make strange sounds, and even walk in his sleep.
Particularly dangerous is the situation when a person drank alcohol the day before. Alcohol poisoning and hypoglycemia have fairly similar symptoms.
Vision problems
According to some reviews, a decrease in blood sugar in people is accompanied by eye problems. A person sees surrounding objects blurry, the eyeballs hurt, and it seems that the membrane is very dry. At such moments, visual acuity sharply decreases and even photophobia may occur.
If there is a history of retinopathy, then low glucose levels can lead to deterioration of the fundus or retina.
Features of the condition in women and the elderly
Symptoms of low blood sugar in people in these categories are more pronounced. The older generation attributes symptoms to chronic diseases, and this is a huge risk of not providing timely assistance and, as a result, a heart attack or stroke, coma.
In women, a drop in sugar levels can occur during the menstrual cycle or during menopause, due to hormonal changes in the body. But in order to determine whether the condition is related to sugar levels or not, you should pay attention not only to your mood, but also to other symptoms:
- feeling of heat throughout the body;
- flushes of blood;
- pale skin followed by redness;
- increased blood loss during the menstrual cycle.
These symptoms may indicate that the body does not have enough glucose.
What is hypoglycemic syndrome?
With a sharp decrease in glucose levels, and if help is not provided in a timely manner, loss of consciousness occurs.
Symptoms of a sharp decrease in blood sugar can be divided into 4 phases:
- A pronounced feeling of hunger against the background of general weakness, low blood pressure and a dramatic change in mood.
- In the second phase, an unbearable feeling of hunger sets in, cold sweat appears, and the skin becomes pale. Tremors and tachycardia may begin.
- At such moments, a person enters a state of euphoria, he is uncontrollable, very excited, loses his sense of fear and refuses help.
- The last phase is characterized by trembling in the body, convulsions, and loss of visual acuity. As a result, fainting and then coma occurs.
In the first phase, the symptoms of a sharp decrease in blood sugar are practically not dangerous and are quickly eliminated. But at other stages of hypoglycemic syndrome, the brain and other organs suffer; they lack oxygen, hence fainting and coma.
Treatment
You can get rid of the problem only after the cause of the low glucose level is identified. If diabetes mellitus is diagnosed, then insulin should be monitored, if there are problems with the pancreas, then they need to be eliminated, and so on. But the cause can only be identified after a full examination. However, it is better to know how to help yourself at home to prevent fainting.
Help at home
When blood sugar drops, folk remedies can help correct the situation fairly quickly.
The easiest way is to eat 2-3 sugar cubes or 2 teaspoons, or you can eat a couple of spoons of honey or sweets. Lemonade or another sweet drink will quickly increase your blood sugar levels; 200 milliliters will be enough. Fruit juice has the same properties.
After symptoms are relieved, if the cause is unknown, you should consult a doctor. If the reason is to follow a strict diet, then you will have to give it up. In cases where sugar levels drop due to exhausting physical work, it is better to change your lifestyle or work. That is, there is no general rule on how to get rid of hypoglycemia; each case, like the body, is individual.
What to do if an attack occurs?
Symptoms of the syndrome very quickly gain momentum, so it is very important to provide timely assistance to prevent hypoglycemic coma.
First of all, the person needs to be put into bed and his legs raised slightly. Then immediately call an ambulance. If the patient is wearing tight clothing, it must be removed or unbuttoned. If this happened indoors, it is better to open the windows so that there is air access.
If you don’t know what diseases a person has, then you don’t need to give him any; in extreme cases, you can give candy or a sweet drink.
In cases where a person has lost consciousness, he must be turned on his side to prevent the tongue from sticking or asphyxiation by vomiting. Sugar can be placed in the cheek. If you faint, you can administer 1 milliliter of glucagon.
Nutrition
With a problem such as hypoglycemia, nutrition involves increased consumption of complex carbohydrates. Products to lower blood sugar:
- vegetables (potatoes, corn, peas);
- pasta from durum wheat;
- whole wheat bread.
You will have to give up alcohol, animal fats, baked goods and semolina. It can be consumed in limited quantities, but it is better to completely avoid smoked meats, spices and spicy foods. The same rule must be followed when consuming sweets, honey, cookies, sweet drinks and juices. Be sure to avoid sugary drinks with carbonated water. Caffeine is also not a recommended drink, as it is one of the factors in the development of hypoglycemia.
It is necessary to introduce foods high in fiber into your diet, as it prevents the body from quickly absorbing glucose.
Meat and fish should be low-fat varieties, and dishes made from them should be steamed or baked. It is recommended to consume fresh and dried fruits, but with little sugar content.
A diet to lower blood sugar is designed in such a way that there are five meals throughout the day.
Traditional therapy
Your doctor may recommend taking the monosaccharide dextrose. In a hospital setting, as a rule, glucose-containing drugs are administered intravenously. In extreme cases, when they do not bring the glucose level to normal, then “Hydrocartisone” or adrenaline is injected intramuscularly.
What does traditional medicine offer?
Naturally, it is better to coordinate even herbal treatment with your doctor so as not to worsen your health condition.
The simplest, most affordable, effective way is to use rosehip decoction. The fruits of the plant are placed in a thermos and poured with boiling water, infused for 1.5-2 hours. Drink tea to lower blood sugar for 3-4 months. You can add honey or sugar to tea in small quantities.
You can make a more complex decoction. It will require:
- chamomile;
- rosehip flowers;
- St. John's wort.
All ingredients are mixed in equal parts. Two tablespoons are placed in a thermos and filled with half a liter of boiling water. This mixture must be left to steep for 2 hours. Take ¼ before each meal.
You can use Leuzea tincture, which is easy to purchase at any pharmacy. If there is a regular drop in sugar after eating, you should use the tincture regularly. 10-20 drops are diluted in a glass of water.
Remember that hypoglycemia can be treated quickly if you consult a doctor in time. However, ignoring the problem will inevitably lead to the development of other pathologies; people with low blood sugar often get into accidents, since during an attack, orientation in space is significantly reduced.
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