HYPOGLYCEMIA

Low blood sugar, usually called hypoglycemia, has many causes. The most common one relates to our fast-paced lifestyle. Excessive sugar intake, frequent snacking, and caffeine or cola beverages contribute to this frequent malady. When the blood glucose level falls rapidly, emergency “fight-orflight” stress responses take over. The individual feels weak, very hungry, and frequently becomes irrational. Emotional reactions to hypoglycemic episodes vary from agitated to angry, depressed to suicidal. Personalities change rapidly, but return to normal function with some form of food.
Rather than frequent feedings such as the “six meal a day” diet, I recommend the following regimen: First, begin the day with a wholesome, hearty breakfast. Some whole grain cereal, bread, nut butter, or fruit makes a great way to start the day. Avoid coffee and frequent snacks. They both aggravate any tendency to low blood sugar. Mealtimes should be at regular intervals, usually five or six hours apart. Stress factors can affect hypoglycemia. Exercise is a great way to reduce or relieve stress. Try for an hour or two of extra sleep at night. Or find a weekend for a refreshing minivacation.
Careful testing of your blood, including the five-hour Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT), may help your medical advisor to “fine-tune” your dietary and lifestyle regimen. Most individuals can overcome this metabolic imbalance, particularly the so-called reactive hypoglycemia. This type comes several hours after a meal or sugar-rich snack. It responds very well to the remedies mentioned above. Rarely, tumors of the pancreas may produce abnormal secretions of insulin. In such case the symptoms of hypoglycemia occur during a fast, often early in the morning. Removal of the tumor is necessary to cure this uncommon condition. Finally, diabetes mellitus may be associated with hypoglycemia. It occurs in the context of early diabetes, erroneously termed borderline. Overdoses of insulin will produce hypoglycemia. They occur during vigorous exercise or at night. Adjusting the insulin dosage along with dietary modification will level the blood glucose fluctuations in all but the most “brittle” diabetics.