Among the many diseases with which modern people turn to specialists, problems associated with blood sugar are very common. Currently, the number of patients with such an extremely unpleasant disease as diabetes is getting larger every year. However, symptoms of low sugar can be observed not only in a diabetic, but also in a completely healthy person. Let's look at what this may be related to.
Hypoglycemia
This disease, characterized by a sharp drop in blood sugar, is very unpleasant and in some cases even dangerous. It is accompanied by certain characteristic symptoms, knowing which, the patient himself is able to put himself a presumptive diagnosis.
The symptoms of low sugar in some cases are not dangerous to humans. However, in a severe degree, there is a high probability of developing the so-called glycemic coma.
Due to the fact that hypoglycemia can develop not only in a person suffering from diabetes, but also in a healthy person, everyone should know the symptoms of low blood sugar in an adult. This is necessary in order to be able to recognize this disease in the event of an attack and provide first aid to yourself or a loved one.
Causes of Diabetes
One of the main risk groups for a disease such as hypoglycemia is people with diabetes. Therefore, they need to know the causes, symptoms of low blood sugar in the first place.
As a rule, a number of certain factors can give such a complication. These include:
- An overdose of appropriate drugs that regulate sugar levels. These include insulin, hypoglycemic agents.
- Violation of the established diet.
- Inadequate intake of nutrients, that is, starvation.
- Eating with improperly adjusted frequency, in particular, too long breaks in nutrition.
- Diseases affecting the normal functioning of organs such as the kidneys and liver.
- Various kinds of infections.
- Heavy physical exercises that contribute to overstrain the body.
- Taking a lot of alcohol.
Often, the onset of symptoms of low blood sugar in an adult diabetic is associated with improper use of sugar-lowering drugs. In addition, some non-drug substances and foods can lower blood sugar to some extent. These include bay leaf, chicory, onions, citrus fruits and much more.
Reasons for Healthy People
Those who have never suffered from symptoms of low blood sugar are also not immune to this disease. Often this problem can occur if a certain diet is not followed. Also, starvation can provoke hypoglycemia in a completely healthy person.
Heavy physical exertion, especially if they are spontaneous rather than systematic, can also be the result of a sharp drop in blood sugar. Experienced trainers already know that if a person faints in the gym, then he may have started hypoglycemia. Indeed, as a result of active physical exercises, energy reserves of the blood are quickly burned and do not have time to replenish.
In order not to feel the symptoms of low blood sugar, you need to monitor your diet. Excessive regular consumption of large amounts of sweets can be its immediate cause. Also do not abuse alcohol and tobacco products.
Symptoms in an Adult
Symptoms of low sugar are an important condition in making the right diagnosis. Depending on the condition the patient is in, a mild, moderate and severe form of the disease is distinguished. Symptoms may also vary.
So, for example, with a mild form of the disease, dizziness can be observed, as well as headaches, weakness, tremor of the extremities, profuse sweating, nausea, and vision problems. The most characteristic symptom is a pronounced feeling of hunger.
The average form of this disease can be accompanied by instability of behavior, which is expressed in a sharp change in mood or irritability, convulsions, loss of concentration.
Severe form is the most dangerous. Seizures, stroke, loss of consciousness can accompany her. In extreme cases, a fatal outcome is possible.
In addition, it is worth noting that the symptoms of low blood sugar in men and women may vary. These symptoms are sometimes insignificant, but still important. So, the symptoms of low blood sugar in women are characterized by frequent urination. However, unlike the inflammatory process or infection, burning or other unpleasant sensations are not observed. Symptoms of low blood sugar in men can represent a certain muscle stiffness, heaviness in the body and limbs.
Many people who experience hypoglycemia note the presence of mental clouding, drowsiness, and apathy in this state.
Symptoms during sleep
Often such an unpleasant phenomenon makes itself felt during sleep. Symptoms of low sugar in men and women appear in this case the same way. For example, you can recognize a sharp drop in sugar levels during sleep by the following signs:
- pale skin;
- feeling of anxiety;
- sudden attempts to get out of bed;
- profuse sweating;
- nightmares;
- walking in a dream.
You can also note a symptom such as morning headache after an attack suffered at night.
Symptoms in a child
As practice shows, children are more sensitive to falling blood sugar levels than adults. Parents need to carefully monitor the health status and behavior of their child, because frequent manifestation of hypoglycemia at an early age can lead to serious consequences, even death.
So, if the child is very sleepy, unassembled, wakes up hard in the morning, is capricious, then this may indicate this symptom. During the attack, severe weakness can be observed, refusal to eat even in the presence of severe hunger.
Such children manifest themselves in a special way in kindergarten. They are inattentive, restless, refuse to take part in common games.
Also, chronic hypoglycemia is characterized by a special behavior in a dream. Persistent sweating, restless sleep with cries, and heavy awakening are such children.
Initial stage treatment
If the first signs of low sugar were detected in a timely manner, then they must immediately be eliminated by certain and very simple methods. If symptoms of low sugar are detected, treatment should begin in the first ten to fifteen minutes.
To do this, take the following products inside:
- one or two teaspoons of sugar;
- honey;
- several caramels or other sweets;
- drink a sweet drink (lemonade, juice).
As a rule, the timely intake of sugary foods helps to eliminate this syndrome and, as a result, to avoid more serious consequences.
First aid in more severe cases
If the moment of manifestation of the first signs of low sugar was missed, then there is a risk of developing the so-called hypoglycemic syndrome. Having independently diagnosed it with the victim, you must immediately call an ambulance and report the alleged diagnosis.
Then you need to make a series of manipulations that will help the patient before the arrival of specialists. So, you need:
- to lay the patient, lifting his legs up;
- to check if the clothes do not interfere with free breathing, in which case - remove them;
- provide entry into the room where the patient lies, fresh air;
- give the patient a sweet drink;
- if you notice that the patient is losing consciousness, then you need to lay him on his side, putting a sugar cube on his cheek.
After the ambulance arrives, the patient will be examined and, if necessary, transported to the hospital, where professional assistance will be provided.
Prevention
Even if you have never suffered from diabetes or other problems with blood sugar, this does not mean that you should not carry out certain preventive work with your health.
It is worth considering that caring for your body, taking care of it is the best prevention of not only sugar problems, but also many others.
So, in order to never encounter problems such as low blood sugar, you must:
- comply with the established diet (breaks between meals should not exceed four hours);
- enrich your diet with varied and healthy foods;
- minimize the harmful effects of bad habits (smoking, alcohol);
- devote enough time to rest;
- avoid frequent stresses and conflicts;
- play sports at regular intervals, gradually increase the load during training.
Diabetic Prevention
In addition to all of the above, for people suffering from diabetes, there should be their own precautions.
So, for example, these people should always have candy or a piece of sugar with them. They should also monitor the intake of insulin, do not mix it with sugar-lowering drugs.
The effects of low sugar
Mild hypoglycemia, manifested by chance and once under the influence of external factors, is not dangerous for the body and does not bear any negative last. Also, any of its complications with the right therapeutic treatment also does not pose a danger to the body.
However, chronic attacks of low sugar can adversely affect the body. They significantly worsen the quality of human life. In addition, a decrease in sugar can cause an unpleasant phenomenon such as glycemic coma. Also, frequent changes in sugar levels can lead to the so-called cerebral dysfunction, and sometimes cause premature dementia.
In addition, such conditions adversely affect the cardiovascular system and are extremely dangerous for people who have certain problems with it. So, for example, lowering the level of sugar can, one way or another, provoke a heart attack or stroke.
In girls carrying a child, such attacks can affect the development of the fetus, because a decrease in the amount of sugar in the blood limits the flow of glucose to the child.
The opinion of doctors
In order to avoid problems with low sugar levels, doctors strongly recommend that you monitor your diet, relax more, exercise and avoid stress. These simple and understandable rules can protect against many ailments. However, it is very difficult for a modern person to observe them, at least partially.
According to experts, there are several categories of people who are at risk of developing these unpleasant phenomena. First of all, these include people with diabetes, or prediabetics. Also at risk are those who do not monitor their diet: consume a lot of sweets; feeds on semi-finished products; those who neglect food eat little.
Revise your diet is necessary for people who do not eat before and after training or other strong physical exertion. People prone to stress and lack of sleep can also experience low sugar symptoms.
Pregnant women may be at risk, which is caused more by the restructuring of the body, a change in the hormonal background.
Thus, proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle is all that is necessary to avoid such an unpleasant phenomenon as low blood sugar.