There are millions of persons suffering from low blood sugar – and do not know it!!! 

 

Hypoglycemia (when the  pancreas secretes too much insulin) is the opposite of hyperglycemia which is high blood sugar (as in the case of diabetes mellitus). Some of  the symptoms of  hypoglycemia are:  Dizziness, fear, panic, chronic exhaustion, compulsive eating and drinking, anti-social behavior, blurred vision, hysteria and suicidal tendencies.  Some people may even experience sudden bouts of rapid heart action, sweats and apprehension, leading them to believe they are having a heart attack.

 

It is one of the most misunderstood medical problems because a person may not actually feel sick – the doctor will say that you are not well, there must be a problem somewhere.  Usually he will not prescribe a blood sugar tolerance test (which is generally required in the case of suspected diabetes).  As a result, unsuspecting persons continue to drag themselves through each day unaware that they are suffering from the “hunger disease” – from sugar starvation.

 

Their muscles, brains and livers are frantically asking for more sugar in the blood to provide them the energy they lack.

 

No medical examination can be considered  complete without proper blood sugar determinations.  These are as important as blood pressure readings, stethoscopic examinations , electrocardiograms and X-rays. 

 

While it is strictly recommended that your own doctor handles any or all of the above symptoms, it is advisable that you request  blood sugar tolerance examinations including an eight-hour sugar curve.

 

The Sugar Curve:

 

Normally fasting blood sugar is anywhere between 76 – 110 mgs%.  After a meal, the blood sugar may rise then drops back to normal.

 

The usual blood sugar tolerance curve is estimated as follows: 

·        You fast for at least 12 hours.  ,

·         A blood sample is taken and examined for fasting blood sugar.

·         You are then given a measured  amount of glucose solution to drink.

          New blood samples are drawn half an hour later then every hour for three hours. It is important that at least a five-hour        curve   is taken since in some persons, blood sugar may be normal for the first three hours then drop rapidly after four or five    hours.

·        During the test  you abstain from eating, drinking & smoking.

·        The figures are recorded on a chart and connected to reveal the sugar curve.

 

 

·        Some persons have low blood sugar if unknown origins (idiopathic hypoglycemia).

·        Some rare cases are caused by an islet tumor in the pancreas.  When this tumor is surgically removed, the patient reverts to    normal.

·        Some cases are caused by faulty glandular system (hyperinsulinism).

 

 

1.      Eat frequently (6 small meals are better than 3 large ones).  Snacking will not lead to weight gain without carbohydrate.

2.      Do not smoke since it indirectly causes a drop in blood sugar by stimulating the adrenal gland which liberates glycogen from the liver

3.      Do not drink coffee since caffeine affects sugar metabolism causing low blood sugar.

4.      Don’t take cola drinks since they contain caffeine and sugar