Effects of Hpoglycemia And Treatment For Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is a condition in which the blood glucose levels fall below normal levels. Glucose is the most important energy source that fuels the brain without which we can not function. Carbohydrates are the biggest dietary source for glucose. Potatoes, bread, rice, tortillas, fruit, milk and sweets are all rich in carbohydrates. Glucose is absorbed into the blood stream and supplied to cells and requires insulin for its proper utilization as an energy source. Insulin is a vital pancreatic hormone. Excess glucose is converted into glycogen which can be used between meals as an energy source. Sometimes however the glycogen response is impaired and will not stop the drop in blood glucose levels.

Hypoglycemia can occur suddenly but is generally mild and can be treated effectively and efficiently with the ingestion of a small amount of food rich in glucose. Although a mild condition, causing clumsiness, confusion or fainting, it can worsen and have serious consequences like coma, seizures and death if neglected. Hypoglycemia generally occurs as a side effect because of diabetes treatment. However, it can also result because of other medications or the presence of certain other diseases, tumors, and hormone or enzyme deficiencies. It would be hard to give you an accurate remedy or diagnosis since you have not indicated the presence or absence of diabetes.

What Are The Symptoms Of Low Blood Sugar?

If you are not diabetic, then the condition can occur due to skipped or delayed meals, after strenuous exercise and often after consuming alcohol. The light headedness and lethargy that you are experiencing however are symptomatic of hypoglycemia. Symptoms vary but the common ones are, sweating, hunger, shaking, irritability, mood swings, and dizziness. In most cases where the condition is mild it can be treated with some type of sugar. Some of the sugar sources you can use include dextrose tablets, Sweet biscuits or a chocolate, two teaspoons of sugar, three sugar lumps or a sweet drink. In some cases when blood sugar levels fall too low the affected individual may become confused and behave strangely. In such situation it would be a lot more efficient and easier to supply sugar through a liquid source like a sweet drink.

Severe cases of hypoglycemia however would require medical attention. The individual may lose consciousness, and in such situations glucagon injections may be administered to temporarily restore blood sugar levels.  After the person regains consciousness however,  he/she can be advised to consume some sugar and a sweet snack to prevent a recurrence.