Low blood sugar level, also called low blood glucose or hypoglycemia, is common in diabetics but may also occur in individuals with no prior health problems. While it is easily treatable if noticed in time, it can be deadly without prompt treatment.
Biology
Glucose comes from ingested food and is necessary to keep the body functioning. Insulin organizes the conversion of glucose into energy that the body can use and is released into the bloodstream when glucose levels get too high. When glucose levels fall, glucagon causes the release of glucose into the blood from the muscles and liver. A defect in any of the processing systems for glucose may develop into an incident in which glucose levels fall below safe levels. According to Medline Plus, any reading below 70 milligrams of blood glucose per deciliter, or mg/dL, is considered hypoglycemia.
Symptoms
Someone with low blood sugar may experience the sudden onset of hunger, a sign by the body that it needs glucose. Sometimes hypoglycemia causes shaking, sweating, light-headedness, dizziness, confusion, weakness or sleepiness. The affected individual may feel nervous, irritable or anxious. Blurred vision may occur in some people with hypoglycemia.
Causes
In diabetic individuals, low blood sugar may be the result of taking too much insulin or a side effect of medications designed to raise blood insulin levels. Diabetics may also experience hypoglycemia if they skip meals, increase their physical activity or drink alcoholic beverages. Pancreatic tumors or liver disease may be a cause of low blood sugar in non-diabetics. Endocrine disorders are another potential cause. The cause of hypoglycemia is sometimes undetermined, but some people may experience episodes about four hours after a meal.
Treatment
The basic treatment for low blood sugar is to eat or drink something that will rapidly raise blood sugar levels. Glucose tablets or glucose gel are quick ways to ingest sugar to make blood glucose rise quickly. Other options include a half cup of fruit juice or sugary soda, 5 or 6 pieces of hard candy or a tablespoon of pure sugar or honey. For someone with severe hypoglycemia that has caused them to pass out, an injection of glucagon may be necessary.
Complications
When blood sugar falls far below 70 mg/dL and remains that way for a long period of time, the person may have a hypoglycemic seizure. In some cases, the individual loses consciousness and may die. Another danger is overtreatment of low blood glucose. If the person takes in too much sugar, the glucose levels in the blood could rise to dangerous levels that cause nerve, organ and blood vessel damage. Individuals who experience episodes of hypoglycemia should report these instances to their doctor.
