Hypoglycaemia is caused when the body releases a rush of insulin, which causes blood sugar levels to plummet rapidly.
Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia
Low blood sugar can be recognised by a number of symptoms which can easily be attributed to other factors. These include:
- Shaking and palpitations, and a feeling of internal trembling
- Slurred speech and confused thinking
- Persistent fatigue and a desire to sleep much more than usual
- Sweating and hot flushes
- Anxiety and feelings of panic
- Ravenous hunger.
These symptoms are often confused with other illnesses, and it is quite difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. Many people who experience hypoglycaemic symptoms may find that their blood sugar levels are quite normal. This is because it is the speed of the fluctuation in sugar levels, rather than the levels themselves, which create symptoms.
Symptoms of low blood sugar can be extremely distressing, giving the sufferer a sense of hopelessness. Victims become trapped in a cycle of eating high-sugar foods and then craving further sugars rapidly as levels plummet. Friends and colleagues may become concerned as the sufferer becomes disorientated or loses consciousness. If this occurs, the patient should seek medical advice. Administering orange juice can provide a rapid sugar boost in emergencies, but at all other times slow-releasing energy foods such as nuts or seeds are more suitable.
Managing Blood Sugar Levels
By eating a balanced diet high in protein and taking some precautions, it is possible to live comfortably with Hypoglycaemia. Things to do to control the condition include:
- Eat regularly – small meals at least every four hours, or more frequently if required to maintain sugar levels
- Avoid caffeine, sugar and simple carbohydrates such as white bread, white pasta and rice
- Take exercise, which assists in blood sugar regulation
- Get regular sleep and don’t leave it too late between meals
- Cut down on alcohol and eradicate stimulants such as nicotine completely
- Snack on foods such as unsalted nuts and oat cakes, that take longer for the body to break down into energy
- Eat smaller meals, making sure each has a high level of protein and is lower in carbohydrates
- Follow proven diets which focus on the Glyceamic Index, which measures how quickly foodstuffs are processed by the body into energy
- Take supplements such as Essential Fatty Acids and Chromium, which is thought to stabilise erratic blood sugar levels.
Consult your doctor if you have any concerns about your health in relation to Hypoglycaemia. By studying triggers such as certain foods and eating patterns, it is possible to identify what works for the individual.
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