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Normal blood sugar will fluctuate throughout the day, but only slightly. Too high or too low blood sugar can lead to health problems. Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, occurs when levels drop too low.
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In this article, we take a look at what low blood sugar is, its effects on the body, and when to see a doctor.
People need sugar in their blood to provide energy to their cells.
Hypoglycemia, also known as hypoglycemia, occurs when the concentration of sugar in the blood drops below the normal range. It can interfere with the normal functioning of the body.
Healthcare professionals usually measure blood sugar in milligrams per deciliter (mg / dl). In the general population, healthy blood sugar ranges from
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) notes that people with diabetes should aim for a blood sugar level of 80 to 130 mg / dl right before a meal. By 2 hours after starting a meal, blood sugar should be below 180 mg / dl.
Mild to moderate symptoms of hypoglycemia
In more severe cases, a person may have a seizure, become unconscious, or be unable to eat or drink.
Some people experience more than one symptom at a time when blood sugar drops, while others experience only one or two.
The NIDDK notes that in the short term, a person can experience hypoglycemia if they increased their level of physical activity beyond their usual routine, skipped a meal, consumed alcohol without food, or vomited.
Sugar levels can also drop if the person does not consume enough carbohydrates.
In
Hypoglycemia can also occur due to liver problems, such as hepatitis or kidney problems.
If a person does not treat hypoglycemia and the effects become more extreme, the condition can lead to several short and long term effects.
Short term effects
In severe cases of hypoglycemia, short-term complications may
Long term effects
Low blood sugar levels have little direct links to critical long-term effects, but they can increase a person’s vulnerability to other conditions, such as heart disease.
For example, an older study found that participants with low blood sugar due to type 2 diabetes had an increased risk of developing heart disease and problems in the blood vessels.
Low blood sugar can also increase the risk of other conditions, including:
In severe cases, nerve cells can die from lack of glucose supply. If there is damage to the nerves controlling internal organs, the body can go into autonomic neuropathy.
A person with this condition loses the ability to detect low blood sugar and may not experience symptoms. They might not know they have low blood sugar, which prevents early intervention. This increases the risk that a person will develop severe hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia can affect many bodily systems in different ways.
Digestive system
Extremely high or low blood sugar levels can cause a condition called gastroparesis. Low blood sugar affects the signaling of the vagus nerve, which normally stimulates the stomach to empty.
Gastroparesis causes problems with the digestive system because it can cause food to pass too long in the stomach before entering the small intestine. Short-term symptoms of the disease include stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Endocrine and circulatory systems
Very low blood sugar can also affect the endocrine and circulatory systems by damaging
The effects on the endocrine system come largely from
The circulatory system responds to hypoglycemia by
Central nervous system
The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and the spinal cord. Blood sugar is his
Because of this, the CNS responds quickly to a severe drop in blood sugar levels, activating various counter-regulatory measures until a person’s glucose levels recover.
A person who experiences a hypoglycemic episode can be cured immediately by consuming foods or drinks that will quickly raise their blood sugar.
Options include a glass of milk or orange juice and foods high in carbohydrates, such as a sandwich.
If 15 minutes have passed and symptoms have not changed, a person should eat or drink a little more.
In case of
However, if an injection of glucagon is ineffective or inaccessible, it is essential to call for emergency medical help immediately. Symptoms could become more severe, leading to seizures or a coma.
It is important to contact a doctor if a person:
- has symptoms of low blood sugar even after consuming sugary food or drink
- has severe symptoms – for example, passing out
- has frequent episodes of hypoglycemia
Consistently low blood sugar can be dangerous due to an interrupted glucose supply
Anyone concerned about their blood sugar should see a doctor.
If the cause of hypoglycemia is temporary – such as when a person has missed a meal – obtaining glucose from food and a sugary drink should begin to heal almost immediately.
However, hypoglycemia is not always treatable with food and drink. If a person has low blood sugar often or is likely to develop severe hypoglycemia, a doctor may provide an emergency glucagon kit, which includes an injection in case it is needed.
For these people, wearing a medical alert bracelet can be a good idea so that others know what to do in the event of a situation.
Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, can be a temporary condition that occurs if a person does not eat for a while or exercise more intensely than usual.
It causes mild to moderate symptoms including dizziness, hunger, and weakness, and a person can treat it quickly by consuming sugary foods or drinks.
Certain conditions, such as diabetes, can also lead to hypoglycemia. In such cases, the symptoms may be more frequent and more intense. Severe hypoglycemia can have extreme consequences.
If a person has passed out, is having a seizure, or is unable to eat or drink, bystanders can check to see if they are wearing a medical alert bracelet or glucagon injection kit and call an ambulance.
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