Hypoglycemia is most commonly associated with people who have diabetes. It can, however, occur in people who do not have diabetes. Hypoglycemia (a drop in blood sugar) commonly occurs when you fast or go without food for long periods of time. Reactive hypoglycemia occurs when you have eaten but your blood sugar plummets within hours afterward.
The Facts
There are two different kinds of hypoglycemia which affect non-diabetics: reactive hypoglycemia (occurs after meals) and fasting hypoglycemia. Reactive hypoglycemia is not usually linked to any other disease. The condition is a result of your body's lack of glucagon, a hormone which is primarily responsible for maintaining balanced blood sugar levels. It may also be caused by your pancreas producing excessive amounts of insulin, tumor or sensitivity to epinephrine. Researchers are working to identify the cause to enable better diagnosis.
Mild Symptoms of Reactive Hypoglycemia
Reactive hypoglycemia is characterized by symptoms emerging one to four hours after eating. As your blood sugar level drops, you may experience symptoms like weakness, a shaky feeling, tingling around your mouth, hunger, stomachache, anxiety, perspiration, confusion, rapid heartbeat, hunger, dizziness or lightheadedness and increased clumsiness. Eating should alleviate your symptoms and restore your body's glucose levels.
Severe Symptoms of Reactive Hypoglycemia
More severe symptoms may also include changes in personality, severe headache, inability to concentrate, irritability or agitation, slurred or slow speech, problems with coordination, loss of consciousness, seizures and even death. Severe cases of hypoglycemia need immediate attention. For more moderate cases, glucose tablets may help. For severe cases of hypoglycemia, having injectable glucagon on hand may save your life.
Nighttime Reactive Hypoglycemia Symptoms
Reactive hypoglycemia can occur while you are asleep. The symptoms are different than a hypoglycemic incident while awake. While sleeping you may have nightmares or call out in your sleep. You may awaken with damp sheets or pajamas from intense sweating. You may wake up feeling confused or irritable and you might awaken with a headache and high blood sugar levels.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis can be tricky since many people are asymptomatic while at their doctor's appointment. To determine if you have reactive hypoglycemia, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms. Your doctor will need to test your blood sugar levels while you are having symptoms. Blood glucose levels of 70 mg per deciliter or lower combined with improved levels after eating will corroborate the diagnosis.
Treatment
Medical treatment is not usually necessary to treat reactive hypoglycemia, unless you experience severe symptoms. To keep your blood sugar levels steady, it is helpful to eat small meals and/or snacks during the day. Time your meals so that you are eating every 2 to 3 hours. Pair carbohydrates with protein to avoid a large spike in your blood sugar levels. Avoiding sugary, processed foods and favoring foods with high fiber content can also help to keep your levels balanced. Including daily exercise is also helpful.
Tags: blood sugar, blood sugar levels, sugar levels, your blood, your blood sugar, Reactive Hypoglycemia