Do You Have Hypoglycemia? Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
The signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia can mimic the signs and symptoms of several other conditions, so it's important to get a proper diagnosis to determine if hypoglycemia is something you need to worry about.Read on to learn more about the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
WHAT IS HYPOGLYCEMIA?
Hypoglycemia, commonly referred to as low blood sugar, is a condition where a person's blood sugar levels drop to below 70 milligrams per deciliter of blood. Some people experience hypoglycemia every now and again from poor eating habits, while others have life-long problems when hypoglycemia is characterized as a disease (Type 2 Diabetes), or have other ailments that cause their glucose levels to become or remain low. Those with hypoglycemia produce too much insulin, which in turn causes blood sugar levels to drop to dangerous levels.
If you suspect you have hypoglycemia, the first step to take is always to see a physician. Hypoglycemia holds potential life-threatening risks and is a serious health problem that your physician needs to know about. While InfoBarrel is a great place to learn and educate yourself on things, it is no replacement for a real doctor.
RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF HYPOGLYCEMIA
Obviously a good way to tell if you have hypoglycemia is to check your signs and symptoms. The signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia range in severity depending on how low the blood sugar levels are or how advanced the condition is. A few general hypoglycemia signs and symptoms include sudden hunger usually accompanied with hunger pains, weakness, irritability, shakiness, dizziness or confusion, sweaty palms, and heart palpitations. Some of the more severe signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include extreme confusion, muffled sounds, increased anxiety, cold sweats, fainting, hypoglycemic shock, seizures, or coma. If you experience these symptoms, it's important that you see your doctor as soon as possible.
ANECDOTAL TESTS
There are a few safe anecdotal tests you can run on yourself to get a better idea of if you have hypoglycemia. These tests are simple things you can do to see how your body reacts.
For instance, if you find yourself irritable, this is one of the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia that can also be linked to other problems. If you feel noticeably less irritable after eating a hypoglycemia-friendly meal, there's a good chance you are hypoglycemic. If you feel anxious or have sweaty palms and feel better after eating a hypoglycemia-friendly meal, there's another sign that you may be hypoglycemic. These are just a few examples of some safe anecdotal tests you can do to get a better idea of whether or not you have hypoglycemia.
MONITOR BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
If you think you're hypoglycemic, there is a safe, easy, and effective way to tell - by checking your blood sugar levels before you eat. Blood sugar levels below 70 milligrams per deciliter of blood are considered hypoglycemic levels. Normally, a person's ideal blood sugar levels are between 80-120 mg/dl of blood, though they will generally be lower in the morning before you eat. If your blood sugar level is below 40 mg/dl of blood, you are in a dangerously low category of hypoglycemia and should be prepared to call 9-1-1 in the event of going into hypoglycemic shock. You should also consult your doctor immediately to come up with a proper diagnosis and a personal hypoglycemia diet.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
As I said in the introduction, this is actually the first step you need to take if you think you have hypoglycemia. Though I feel the need to reiterate due to its importance, I realize that not everyone has the means to see a doctor right away. Your doctor will explain in greater detail the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, as well as the causes and how to treat it, according to your overall physical health and lifestyle. Hypoglycemia, though the signs and symptoms may be relatively easy to manage and treat, is not a condition to be taken lightly. Hypoglycemia can be a red flag pointing to other conditions you may have, similar to a fever. Hypoglycemia is not limited to those with diabetes related conditions.
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Comments
Travis, congratulations on making the front page! Your article is very informative and well written. Well done!
hypoglycemic...horrible!
I enjoyed reading this article. I should also read your other hypoglycemic-related articles.
Travis this is a great article, and congrats on the front page. Great article!
Thanks everyone! :-)
Thanks for the information, never knew there was something called hypoglycemia(low blood sugar).
Very good article Travis. I have multiple friends who are diabetic, so I know a bit about hypoglycemia. Well written!
Thanks for sharing your article with us Travis very informative & well written.
Great job. I have hypoglycemia. You did well covering the symptoms. I have gotten to the dizzy, cold sweat place and it's no fun. In fact, it's probably a good idea to go eat something! I actually need to look into this more. Thanks Travis!
Consider yourself lucky that was all you experienced. I have fainted too many times too count. I even went into seizures a couple of times, once at an amusement park waiting for my hot dog lol. If only I had gotten that hot dog I wouldn't have fainted. Thanks for the comment jp sorry to hear you also have hypoglycemia. Fiber and protein are your friends :-)
My mother-in-law suffered from this condition. Awareness and careful eating are very important. Thanks for getting the word out. Many people have never heard of hypoglycemia.
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