Dear Not So Sweet,

Hypoglycemia is the medical name for low blood sugar. Excess insulin, along with glucose deficiency, usually causes hypoglycemia. We need glucose because it provides energy for our brain, central nervous system, and all of our bodies' cells. If someone is unable to maintain adequate blood glucose levels, major organs, such as the brain, are deprived of the fuel they need. When someone has low blood sugar, s/he may experience sweating, weakness, hunger, dizziness, trembling, headache, palpations (thump ing in the chest), confusion and altered mental status, blurred vision, irrational behavior and aggressiveness, moodiness, and uncoordinated movements. S/he can appear to be intoxicated and have an increased heart rate. S/he may also have cool, moist sk in and may even have a seizure. Over time, a hypoglycemic individual can experience allergies, sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression, and is more predisposed to weight gain. S/he can also have recurrent headaches, poor memory, lack of confidence, and r educed libido.

Hypoglycemia may be caused by several factors. One cause is Type I Diabetes, also known as Juvenile or Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM). Type I Diabetes is a chronic disease that impairs a person's ability to produce an adequate amount of insulin to control glucose levels (read Diabetes mellitus in Alice's General Health archives for more information). Insulin must be injected and hypoglycemic drugs can be taken in order to lower the glucose level in the body. Too much medication, not eating enough carbohydrates, skipping meals, not eating soon enough, and too much exercise may cause low blood glucose levels. Excessive alcohol consumption and insomnia have also been found to be causes of a low glucose level in the body.

A person with hypoglycemia can benefit from changing some of her/his behaviors:

• Instead of three large meals a day, have six small meals, which can help stabilize blood glucose levels.
• Eat fewer simple sugars (i.e., candy, sweets, sugar, honey) and more complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are found in foods such as bread, cereals, pasta, rice, vegetables, and legumes (beans and peas). The body's primary source of glucose comes from the breakdown of carbohydrates.
• Eat more fiber.
• Choose fresh fruits as opposed to canned fruits and juices.
• At each meal, consume foods high in protein, such as fish, poultry, meats, and dairy products, such as low- or non-fat milk and cheese.
• Avoid alcohol, and limit coffee, tea, colas, chocolate, and cocoa.
• Maintain a healthy body weight by consuming a healthy diet and engaging in adequate exercise.

In case carbohydrate stores run low, protein can be broken down to supply glucose for the body to use. This process, known as gluconeogenesis, should be a last resort since proteins are needed for other body processes, such as tissue repair.

If you have been experiencing signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, and you believe you may have hypoglycemia, Alice recommends that you visit a health care provider so that you can be correctly diagnosed and receive treatment, if needed.

For more information about hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, read Low blood sugar and Hypoglycemia [Classic Alice!] in Alice's Fitness and Nutrition archives.

Alice

Related Q&As

Is it true that eating too many carbohydrates can cause diabetes?