Low blood sugar is a common problem that people of all genders and ages face. A short-term drop in glucose levels is considered quite normal, associated with the use of certain foods or physical activity. But if hypoglycemia is constant, then this is a cause for concern.
Low blood sugar: what is the danger?
It's no secret that glucose is the main source of energy for the body. In particular, the human brain can only work in conditions of a sufficient amount of sugar in the blood. With a decrease in its quantity, the normal functioning of the nervous system is disrupted. For example, with a severe lack of glucose, the brain simply turns off, as a result of which a person loses consciousness. A long-term deficiency of sugar leads to gradual, but, unfortunately, irreversible damage to the nervous system.
Chronic hypoglycemia affects the work of the whole organism, in particular, serious metabolic disturbances are observed.
As mentioned above, lowered blood sugar can be the result of physical or nervous overstrain, when the body spends too quickly the resulting simple carbohydrates. Glucose deficiency can also be caused by a lack of this substance in food, which often happens with strict diets or starvation. In addition, there are various herbs and fruits that lower blood sugar. For example, the use of a large number of tangerines, apricots, plums, apples, blueberries, almonds, cinnamon can lead to the development of hypoglycemia. But what if the decrease in glucose is not associated with either nutrition or physical activity?
Low Blood Sugar: The Main Causes
Yes, hypoglycemia is a serious cause for concern. After all, such a condition can indicate a mass of disorders and diseases.
- In some cases, a decrease in glucose levels is associated with the use of certain medications, for example, drugs containing steroid hormones, as well as amphetamines.
- In addition, hypoglycemia can indicate diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which are accompanied by impaired absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine.
- Quite often, the cause is a pancreatic tumor, the growth of which is accompanied by an increase in the level of secreted insulin.
- And, of course, in patients with diabetes, glucose deficiency can be caused by an overdose of insulin.
Low blood sugar: the main symptoms
In fact, hypoglycemia is accompanied by a number of characteristic symptoms, the intensity of which depends on the level of glucose drop. In particular, the symptoms include:
- Constant chronic fatigue.
- A person cannot sleep enough and suffers from constant attacks of drowsiness throughout the day.
- Symptoms include lethargy, lethargy, difficulty concentrating.
- Dizziness is a fairly common problem in patients, especially if they do not have the opportunity to eat on time.
- As already mentioned, with a sharp decrease in sugar, loss of consciousness is possible.
In any case, in the presence of such disturbing signs, you should consult a doctor and take a blood test. Only a laboratory test will help determine the level of glucose.