Low blood sugar, medically referred to as hypoglycemia, is characterized by low levels of the simple sugar glucose in the bloodstream. If you have glucose levels below 70 mg/dL, you are usually considered hypoglycemic. If left untreated, low blood sugar levels can cause a great deal of distress in your body.
Blood Sugar Regulation
When you eat carbohydrates, your body breaks them down into sugar molecules. The sugar molecule glucose acts as the body's main source of energy. Glucose enters the bloodstream, where it triggers the release of a hormone called insulin from the pancreas. Insulin attaches to glucose and helps the cells absorb it. When your blood sugar drops, the pancreas releases a different hormone, called glucagon, which stimulates the release glycogen from the liver. This physiologic process keeps blood sugar levels within normal ranges.
Causes of Hypoglycemia
When hypoglycemia occurs in diabetic adults, it is usually the result of overmedication. Administration of too much insulin can cause blood sugar to drop too low. Hypoglycemia can also occur in diabetics as a result of going long periods without eating. Causes of hypoglycemia in non-diabetics include long periods of fasting, excessive consumption of alcohol, liver disease, kidney disease, pancreatic tumors, adrenal gland deficiencies and certain medications. Adults who have had gastric bypass surgery are also more susceptible to hypoglycemia.
Symptoms
If the brain does not receive enough glucose, it cannot function properly. Because of this, hypoglycemia often causes a variety of central nervous system symptoms, including confusion, abnormal behavior, double vision, blurred vision and difficulty speaking. Other possible symptoms include increased hunger, tremors, anxiety, increased sweating, heart palpitations, dizziness, drowsiness and weakness. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse notes that when hypoglycemia occurs during sleep, it can result in nightmares, severe sweating and fatigue and irritability upon waking.
Treatment
Immediate treatment for hypoglycemia focuses on increasing blood sugar levels. If hypoglycemia is caught early enough, consuming sugar can correct blood sugar levels. If hypoglycemia has progressed to advanced stages, intravenous administration of glucose or glucagon may be necessary. Once blood sugars levels are corrected, further treatment focuses on correcting the underlying cause of hypoglycemia.
Complications
Left untreated, hypoglycemia caused by too much insulin in the body can lead to loss of consciousness and even coma. Medline Plus notes that severe hypoglycemia is considered a medical emergency because it can lead to seizures and permanent nervous system damage.
