Glucose is the main sugar the body uses as an energy source. When the sugar levels in the bloodstream drop below a certain range, hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, results. Teenagers, who undergo rapid growth at the same time that they are experiencing stressful social and development situations, run the risk of having episodes of low blood sugar.
Symptoms
The symptoms of hypoglycemia in teenagers vary. According to the Nemours Foundation, people with low blood sugar may experience shaking or jitteriness, have a rapid heart rate, be moody and cranky, have headaches and feel hungry despite eating an adequate diet. As the blood sugar level decreases further, teens may experience blurry vision, appear confused, be unsteady when walking and may lose consciousness. When the brain is deprived of glucose, seizures can
occur, and, if not corrected, even precipitate a state of coma.
Stress
Teenagers have active lives with rapidly changing social situations. The stress of life circumstances can make a teenager eat less, or forget to eat meals or snacks, which can lead to low blood sugar. Also, peer pressure can result in drug or alcohol abuse. In particular, binge drinking can cause low blood sugar, as alcohol is known to cause hypoglycemia. Likewise, abuse of certain drugs, for example cocaine, can lead to episodes of low blood sugar.
Diabetes
Teenagers with diabetes also run the risk of developing hypoglycemia. The medicines used to treat diabetes, including injected insulin and oral medicines that increase insulin production, can also lower your glucose levels. This is especially true if the diabetic teenager uses two or more medicines at a time. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, other causes include skipping snacks, eating meals without enough carbohydrates in them, drinking alcoholic beverages and strenuous physical activity
Eating disorders
Eating disorders, such as binge eating, bulimia, and anorexia nervosa, can also predispose the teenager to episodes of low blood sugar. According to MayoClinic.com, this is especially true among adolescent girls. Symptoms of eating disorders include low blood sugar, low blood pressure, abnormal weight loss, an obsession with food, irregular heart rhythms and loss of menstruation. Low blood sugar can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness and the potential for life-threatening complications, like coma.
