Literally the adverse of diabetes, hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by low blood sugar. The causes of hypoglycemia include the overconsumption of glucose, a hindrance to glucose uptake, an overabundance of either natural or synthetic insulin, alcoholism, insulinoma -- a pancreatic cancer that causes the release of extraneous insulin -- and liver disease. Hypoglycemia is common among those with diabetes, but otherwise uncommon in the absence of another condition known to cause it. However, hypoglycemia is typical, though most often temporal, in newborns.
Common Symptoms
There are numerous common symptoms of hypoglycemia, most of which are a result of insufficient energy for proper cellular function. Most of them are not harmful in their own right, although ignoring them can lead to greater problems associated with hypoglycemia. Symptoms include convulsions, irregular heartbeat, headache, irritability or aggression, quakes, tingling, numbness, fatigue, cold sweats, altered vision, general discomfort, hunger, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, weakness, difficulty speaking, dizziness and faintness. Hypoglycemia can also cause symptoms while unconscious, such as nightmares, crying out, heavy perspiration and fatigue or irritability after waking.
Potential Symptoms
Various other symptoms are possible as a result of hypoglycemia, but are not very common. These symptoms are more severe in nature and usually result from a likewise severe condition or one that has been untreated for an extended period. Examples of such symptoms are decreased alertness, muscle pain, asymmetrical pupil dilation, hallucinations, memory loss, fainting, seizures and coma.
Diet
There are no diets specifically for hypoglycemia, as it is not a terminal illness. Instead, it is a condition that can appear due to a myriad of influences, including arbitrarily. Only a health care professional can prescribe diets that are right for each individual with hypoglycemia. In fact, treating hypoglycemia may require no dietary alterations at all. However, the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse recommends that those with diabetes or hypoglycemia carry small snacks and drinks that contain sugar in preparation for when serum glucose levels fall too low.
