Low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia, is a dangerous condition that causes a sharp deterioration in well-being, which in some cases can lead to serious consequences due to a disturbance in brain nutrition.
Causes of low blood sugar levels
In addition to metabolic disorders, if the blood sugar level is below normal, this can be caused by the following reasons:
- malnutrition and prolonged compliance with a strict diet (lack of intake of carbohydrates into the body);
- increased physical exertion (while consuming glucose in the body);
- use of strong alcohol (causes a short-term decrease in sugar levels) and alcohol poisoning;
- taking certain medications;
- some diseases (pancreatic cancer, adrenal cancer, cancer and cirrhosis of the liver, kidney failure, meningitis and encephalitis).
Symptoms of low blood sugar
- a general decline in strength, a sharp weakness;
- a strong sense of hunger;
- tremor of hands;
- cold sweat ;
- dizziness, double vision.
If at this stage not to take appropriate measures, the condition deteriorates rapidly, appear:
- nausea;
- severe headaches;
- violation of attention, inability to concentrate on something;
- speech disorder (speech incoherent, like a drunk);
- convulsions.
What threatens low blood sugar?
With a slight but long-term decrease in blood sugar, for example, against a background of a rigid diet, there will be a constant decline in strength, fainting, trouble concentrating.
In acute hypoglycemia, the consequences can be extremely severe, up to irreversible disorders of brain activity, stroke, hypoglycemic coma. Severe complications are relatively rare, usually in diabetic patients , but in any case, a frequent or prolonged decrease in the level of sugar has a negative effect on brain activity.
Treatment of low blood sugar
With a low level of sugar in the blood, when symptoms of hypoglycemia are directly observed, it is necessary to replenish the glucose level in the body. For this you need to eat or drink something sweet:
- glucose in tablets;
- candies;
- sweet tea;
- sweet fizzy drinks.
To maintain a normal level of sugar fast-digestible products (with sugar content) are better combined with those that are digested gradually (flour products, etc.). To consume oil and other foods high in fat is not recommended - they slow down the absorption of carbohydrates.
Prevention of lowering blood sugar levels is solved by proper diet and special diets. To avoid reducing sugar after exercise or other loads, you need to eat before you engage in manual work.