The condition of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) often means that a person has diabetes.
With diabetes, blood sugar is not only high. If a diabetic does not monitor his sugar level, does not control it, he may experience sharp fluctuations, including a significant decrease in the concentration of glucose in the blood. Physical activity, stress, long pauses between meals, alcohol consumption can become factors for them that contribute to blood sugar or glycemia, – Anna Ignatieva, an endocrinologist, said in a commentary to MedikForum.
Ignatieva also spoke about what hypoglycemia that occurs in people without diabetes can mean.
“People without diabetes can experience low blood sugar with fasting hypoglycemia – the characteristic symptoms they experience if food is not taken for more than six hours . Also, hypoglycemia can be caused by overexertion or increased alcohol consumption.
Among other possible causes of low blood sugar, the specialist singled out chronic liver diseases, an insulin-producing tumor, genetics (speaking of the genetic forms of hypoglycemia, the physician called hereditary fructose intolerance or sensitivity to leucine).
“In addition, a decrease in blood sugar levels may indicate thyroid, adrenal or pituitary dysfunction.”
Symptoms. When blood sugar levels drop, the adrenal glands first release adrenaline, which stimulates the release of glucose from the body's stores. In addition, it leads to further reactions in the body, which can cause the following symptoms in mild hypoglycemia.
- Hunger.
- Sweating.
- Tremor.
- A state of lightheadedness.
- Nervousness.
- Rapid heartbeat.
When the brain runs out of energy in the form glucose, severe hypoglycemia develops. This may include the following additional symptoms:
- Dizziness.
- Confusion.
- Weakness.
- Headache .
- Visual impairment.
- Trembling, chills.
- Cold sweat.
- Unintelligible speech.
- Paleness.
- Fainting.
“The longer severe hypoglycemia persists, the greater the chance of irreversible brain damage. Therefore, quick relief action is important.”
A person suffering from hypoglycemia (not unconscious) is best given a sweet drink – juice, lemonade, soda. You also need to call an ambulance or see a doctor yourself.
Scientists: high and low blood sugar can lead to dementia
Ignatieva added that periodic or repeated hypoglycemia increases a person's susceptibility to dementia Many mild hypoglycemia , in turn, increase the risk of a serious condition and reduce the body's ability to respond to it. In particular, nocturnal hypoglycemia often goes unnoticed.
Blood test for sugar
Earlier, the portal MedikForum.ru wrote that the doctor called “silent” symptoms of brain cancer.