The glucose in your blood is your body's primary source of fuel, helping to regulate the distribution of energy and stimulate the brain throughout the day. Hypoglycemia occurs when glucose levels decrease drastically, leaving you feeling weak and disoriented. Excessive consumption of sugar presents hazards to your physical health and oral hygiene, but it is not an underlying cause of hypoglycemia. On the contrary, individuals with hypoglycemia are often advised to keep sugar-based snacks conveniently on hand to help raise blood sugar in an emergency.
Glucose Regulation
During digestion, the molecular structure of carbohydrates is broken down to form the simple sugar glucose. Glucose travels through the bloodstream to provide energy to cells and is stored by the liver, muscles and fatty tissues to support the body during physical activity. Pancreatic insulin acts as a natural regulator, facilitating the transfer of glucose into your cells. However, removing too much glucose from the bloodstream deprives the body of readily available blood sugar to act as fuel. Hypoglycemia is commonly associated with diabetes, as mismanagement of insulin dosage and meals can trigger a sudden drop in glucose levels.
Risk Factors
Diabetics are most susceptible to hypoglycemia because there is a delicate balance between blood sugar and insulin levels. Diabetic hypoglycemia is caused by factors such as engaging in intense exercise without eating, skipping a meal after taking an insulin shot or drinking alcoholic beverages. Hypoglycemia that occurs in non-diabetics is typically the result of a health condition, medication, rare enzyme and hormonal deficiencies or binge drinking. Hypoglycemia is characterized by physical and mental disorientation, including tiredness, hunger, dizziness, anxiety or irritability and heart palpitations.
Diet and Diabetes
The potential long-term effects of excessive sugar consumption can be indirectly linked to hypoglycemia. Refined sugars found in processed foods offer less nourishment than other nutrients, while containing more calories than the body needs to produce energy. Higher amounts of fatty tissue in the body increase the possibility of developing insulin resistance, MayoClinic.com points out, so overweight and obesity are major risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
Treatment
Early treatment of hypoglycemia involves checking your blood sugar levels with a glucose meter. A blood sugar level below 70 is considered dangerous. Individuals who learn to recognize the signs of hypoglycemia can take immediate precautions with "quick-fix foods," such as glucose tablets, fruit juice or hard candy, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. In more severe cases of hypoglycemia, you may need an injection of glucagon to quickly restore glucose to the bloodstream.
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