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Low Blood Sugar

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

If there isn't enough sugar in your blood to give your muscles and brain cells the energy they need to work, the condition is known as low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.

Causes

Skipping meals and over-exercising can trigger hypoglycemia. The problem can also be caused by an oversupply of insulin, the natural hormone that helps transport sugar from your blood to your muscle and tissue cells. Hypoglycemia is also associated with stomach surgery, certain medicines, alcohol, liver disease, pregnancy, and high fever.

Signs/Symptoms

The problem is usually signaled by sweating, shaking, hunger, weakness, faintness, and nervousness, often accompanied by a headache. Other possible symptoms include confusion and sometimes even convulsions.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

  • Your symptoms can be controlled by changes in your diet:
    • Eat 6 or 7 small meals a day at regular intervals. Don't skip meals.
    • Eat foods low in carbohydrates (starch and sugar) and high in protein.
    • Fruits, vegetables, cereals, potatoes, and breads should contribute the carbohydrates in your diet.
    • Between meals, eat snacks such as eggs, chicken, nuts, cheese, or skim milk.
    • Avoid eating sugar, sweetened desserts, jelly, jams, honey, syrup, candy, sweetened fruits, and soft drinks.
  • Alcoholic beverages can trigger hypoglycemia, particularly when taken on an empty stomach. Be very careful about your intake if you are prone to low blood sugar.
  • If you have frequent attacks, don't drive or operate heavy machinery.

Call Your Doctor If...

  • You develop the symptoms of low blood sugar.


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