Prevent Episodes of Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar, is characterized by low levels of glucose, the body’s main source of energy. It occurs when the amount of insulin in the blood exceeds the amount needed to metabolize the available glucose in the body. The condition may occur when a person with diabetes takes too much insulin, but it can also happen under other circumstances, such as overconsumption of alcohol; taking large amounts of aspirin or acetaminophen, beta-blockers, and some antipsychotic drugs; or when tumors develop that secrete insulin.

Symptoms include confusion, abnormal behavior, double vision, heart palpitations, shakiness, anxiety, sweating, and hunger. While less common, the person may have a seizure or lose consciousness. One condition called reactive hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels plummet 1 to 2 hours after a meal. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, trembling, palpitations, and irritability. This uncommon condition can only be diagnosed by monitoring blood glucose levels after ingestion of a known dose of glucose.

Nutrition Connection
Prevent episodes of hypoglycemia with these dietary tips:
-Eat small, frequent meals that are balanced. An even mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins will help your body metabolize the foods slowly. Because they take longer than sugars to be digested and converted into glucose, they allow for a steady release of energy.
-Eat foods rich in fiber. Include foods that are higher in soluble fiber such as lentils, oats, barley, apples, and citrus fruits since they are absorbed more slowly. Choose whole grains (such as whole wheat bread) over refined grains (such as white bread or pasta) as often as possible. -Eat foods with a low glycemic index (GI), or load (GL). GI and GL are measurements of how readily foods are converted to blood glucose. Focus on foods that help blood sugar levels remain stable. They include apples, kidney beans, lentils, oats, barley, and bran.
-Avoid sweets. Candies, cookies, and anything loaded with sugar can be a potential problem. Consumed by themselves, they spike up your blood glucose levels and cause the body to pump out more insulin, which eventually leads to hypoglycemia.
-Avoid excessive drinking. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause hypoglycemia because the body’s breakdown of alcohol interferes with the liver’s efforts to raise blood glucose. This type of hypoglycemia can be very serious or even fatal.
-Address insulin reactions as soon as possible. A serious type of hypoglycemia occurs when someone with diabetes takes more insulin than is needed to metabolize the available glucose. The onset of symptoms of an insulin reaction—hunger, tingling sensations, sweating, faintness, impaired vision, mood changes, palpitations, and a cold, clammy sensation—can be reversed by immediately eating a tablespoonful of sugar or honey, sucking on a hard candy, or drinking a small glass (about ½ cup or 125 mL) of orange juice or a smal sugary drink.

Beyond the Diet
Hypoglycemia may require medical attention. A doctor can run tests to determine the cause of hypoglycemia and then treat the condition or the underlying medical problem. Sepsis, obesity, alcohol abuse, and hormonal changes can be an underlying cause of hypoglycemia.