Due to the many adverse symptoms associated with hypoglycemia, or a low blood glucose level, expect your doctor to give you detailed instructions on how to manage the disorder if he diagnoses you with it. If your hypoglycemia is new and is not secondary to the treatment of diabetes, however, your doctor will ask you whether you have noticed additional symptoms, such as cravings for salt, which may indicate the underlying disorder of adrenal insufficiency.
Hypoglycemia
Your body uses a type of sugar, called glucose, as its energy to fuel all of its vital functions. If, due to an underlying cause, your blood glucose level falls below normal, your body cannot operate normally, which leads to many symptoms. Hypoglycemia is never a primary disorder. Rather, the condition results from other sources, such as a complication in the management of diabetes or another health condition. Regardless of its origin, however, it is imperative to treat hypoglycemia, because if left unchecked, a low blood glucose level can become dangerous.
Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
Symptoms of a blood glucose level that is too low include confusion, weakness and sleepiness. You may also experience anxiety, shakiness and sweatiness. You may also feel very hungry. Feelings of light-headedness, dizziness and nervousness are common symptoms of hypoglycemia, as well. Your blood sugar may fall while you are sleeping, in which case symptoms of the condition include perspiration excessive enough to cause dampness of pajamas and bed linens, nightmares, crying out in the night and irritability, tiredness or confusion upon waking. In addition to hunger, you may notice a craving for salt and salty foods. While you may think this is another symptom of hypoglycemia, it may be a sign that your adrenal glands are not functioning normally.
Adrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addison's disease, is a condition in which your adrenal glands are not functioning at a normal level. Located on top of each of your kidneys, your adrenal glands produce and release hormones necessary for your body to function efficiently. When your adrenal glands are not making enough of these hormones, serious symptoms result. There are two types of adrenal insufficiency. The most common, primary insufficiency, occurs when your body's immune system gradually destroys 90 percent or more of the cortex of each of your adrenal glands. Secondary disorders involving your pituitary gland may affect one of the gland's functions, which is to release the hormone ACTH. Because this hormone stimulates your adrenal glands to produce normal amounts of cortisol, a lack of ACTH results in lower than normal levels of cortisol.
Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency
Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency are gradual and directly related to cortisol deficiency. They include hypoglycemia and cravings for salt. You may also experience weakness, profound fatigue and weight loss secondary to a loss of appetite. You may develop low blood pressure, which is particularly symptomatic with sudden changes of position, such as from sitting to standing. You may notice dizziness, or you may even faint during these times. Skin changes associated with adrenal insufficiency include darkening of skin folds, scars, elbows, knuckles, toes, lips and knees. You may also feel depressed and irritable, and women may experience menstrual irregularities.
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