Blood sugar is involved in the primary metabolic processes of metabolism in the body. Its main function is the supply of energy to the cells of the body and participation in the synthesis of adesinotriphosphate acid, which is further necessary for lipid metabolism.
The human body receives sugar from almost all food products. The level of this substance in the blood is recommended to be controlled, even if there is no predisposing factor to the development of diabetes mellitus or another disease. Even with a healthy lifestyle, a change in sugar rates is possible. Its level can vary from physical exertion. The main thing is that in such situations the brain suffers, a person feels fatigue, in advanced cases, fainting and coma may occur.
general information
The reasons for lowering blood sugar are many, but nutrition comes first. In medicine, a condition in which sugar levels are reduced is called hypoglycemia.
An increase in sugar always occurs after eating, at this time the pancreas is working intensively, there is an active production of insulin. As soon as the hormone is converted to energy, sugar levels drop immediately. If sugar is below the “normal” mark, this does not happen. The result is fatigue and lethargy. Amid this, diabetes can develop.
Normal glucose (fasting) 3.3-5.5 mmol / L.
Possible reasons
First of all, malnutrition leads to a decrease in blood sugar. This refers not only to fast food, but also an excessive passion for flour and sweet foods. Large breaks between meals also lead to a deterioration. Passion for alcohol and smoking. Pancreatic neoplasms.
In addition to this, other provoking factors can be distinguished:
- taking a number of drugs;
- obesity;
- renal failure;
- idiopathic diseases;
- disturbances in the functioning of the hormonal system and liver;
- early pregnancy;
- the most difficult physical activities.
How is it manifested?
The main symptom of lowering blood sugar is hunger. This is the first bell that there is a lack of glucose in the body. And the easiest way to eliminate this condition in the presence of stage 1 hypoglycemia is to eat a product high in carbohydrates. Accordingly, it is not recommended to starve, but to eat in small portions after a certain amount of time, and then there will be no sharp fluctuations in glucose levels.
Quite often, the symptomatology is very weakly expressed and the person ascribes his tiredness and aggressive state to the rhythm of life. However, if symptoms occur on rest days, then an examination should be done.
Dizziness
The next symptom of a decrease in blood sugar, which is quite common, is dizziness. This is due to the fact that against the background of a lack of glucose in the vessels of the brain, the normal blood circulation process is disturbed. There is oxygen starvation, and the body itself is not able to produce the required amount of energy.
Along with dizziness, a person can observe disorientation in space and trembling in the body. A shaky gait appears and it seems that a person is about to fall.
Weakness and lethargy
Symptoms of low blood sugar can be lethargy and weakness. The mood can constantly change, from tearfulness to aggression, which has no reason. In very severe cases, a person may stop paying attention to the outside world and even fall into a coma.
Therefore, it is very important in case of nervousness to control the level of sugar in the blood, perhaps it is the lack of glucose that affects the psychoemotional state.
Problems with heart
Hypoglycemia can cause tachycardia, increased heart rate. If you do not increase the level of glucose, then pain in the heart can join, blood pressure gradually decreases. In such situations, if nothing is done, then a heart attack or heart failure may develop.
Thirst and sweating
Another symptom of a decrease in blood sugar is thirst amid excessive sweating. A person can drink a lot of fluids, sweat a lot, and at the same time constantly feel thirsty. Everything seems to be dry in the mouth, hard to swallow. However, after stopping the attack, as a rule, the symptoms completely disappear.
Night attacks
The most dangerous situation is if hypoglycemia occurs at night. Indeed, during sleep, adjusting blood sugar is difficult enough only if the symptoms do not make you wake up. This condition manifests itself in the secretion of sticky sweat and anxious sleep. A person can have nightmares, he can make strange sounds and even walk in a dream.
The situation is especially dangerous when a person drank alcohol the day before. Alcohol poisoning and hypoglycemia have fairly similar symptoms.
Vision problems
According to some reviews, a decrease in blood sugar in people is accompanied by eye disorders. A person sees the surrounding objects blurry, eyeballs hurt, it seems that the shell is very dry. At such a moment, visual acuity sharply decreases and even photophobia may occur.
If a history of retinopathy is present, then lowering the level of glucose can lead to a deterioration of the fundus or retina.
Features of the condition in women and the elderly
Symptoms of lowering blood sugar in people of these categories are more pronounced. The older generation of symptoms is attributed to chronic diseases, and this is a huge risk of not providing timely help and as a result - a heart attack or stroke, coma.
In women, a drop in sugar levels can occur on the background of the menstrual cycle or during menopause, due to hormonal changes in the body. But, in order to determine whether the condition is related to sugar level or not, you should pay attention not only to the mood, but also other symptoms:
- sensation of heat throughout the body;
- hot flashes;
- pallor of the skin, followed by redness;
- increased blood loss in the menstrual cycle.
These symptoms may indicate that the body lacks glucose.
What is hypoglycemic syndrome?
With a sharp decrease in glucose levels, hypoglycemic syndrome occurs , and if timely assistance is not provided, then loss of consciousness occurs.
Symptoms of a sharp decrease in blood sugar can be divided into 4 phases:
- A pronounced feeling of hunger against a background of general weakness, low blood pressure and a cardinal change in mood.
- In the second phase, an intolerable feeling of hunger sets in, a cold sweat appears, and the skin becomes pale. Tremor and tachycardia may begin.
- At such moments, a person experiences a state of euphoria, he is uncontrollable, very excited, loses his sense of fear and refuses help.
- The last phase is characterized by trembling in the body, convulsions, loss of visual acuity. As a result, fainting and further coma occurs.
In the first phase, the symptoms of a sharp decrease in blood sugar are practically not dangerous and are quickly eliminated. But at other stages of the hypoglycemic syndrome, the brain suffers, other organs, they lack oxygen, hence fainting and coma.
Treatment
You can get rid of the problem only after the cause of the decrease in glucose levels is identified. If diabetes is diagnosed, then insulin should be controlled, if pancreatic problems, then they must be eliminated and so on. But the cause can only be identified after a full examination. However, it is best to know how to help yourself at home in order to prevent fainting.
Help at home
With a decrease in blood sugar, folk remedies can help quickly rectify the situation.
The easiest way is to eat 2-3 cubes of sugar or 2 teaspoons, or you can eat a couple of tablespoons of honey or sweets. Lemonade or another sweet drink will quickly increase your blood sugar; 200 milliliters will be enough. Fruit juice has the same properties.
After withdrawal of symptoms, if the cause is unknown, then consult a doctor. If the reason is to follow a strict diet, you will have to abandon it. In cases where sugar is reduced due to exhausting physical labor, it is better to change your lifestyle or work. That is, there is no general rule on how to get rid of hypoglycemia, each case, like the body, is individual.
What to do if an attack occurs?
Symptoms of the syndrome are gaining momentum very quickly, so it is very important to provide assistance in time to prevent hypoglycemic coma.
First of all, a person needs to be put to bed and legs slightly raised. Then immediately call an ambulance crew. If the patient has tight clothing, they must be removed or unfastened. If this happened indoors, it is best to open the windows so that there is air access.
If you don’t know what diseases a person has, then you don’t need to give him any medicine to lower blood sugar, in extreme cases you can give sweets or a sweet drink.
In cases when a person has lost consciousness, it is necessary to turn it to the side so that the tongue does not sink or there is no asphyxiation with vomiting. Sugar can be laid on the cheek. With fainting, you can enter 1 milliliter of glucagon.
Food
With a problem such as hypoglycemia, nutrition involves increased consumption of complex carbohydrates. Products for lowering blood sugar:
- vegetables (potatoes, corn, peas);
- durum wheat pasta;
- whole wheat bread.
Have to give up alcohol, animal fats, muffins and semolina. In limited quantities, you can eat, but it is better to completely abandon smoked meats, spices and spicy foods. The same rule must be followed when eating sweets, honey, cookies, sugary drinks and juices. Be sure to give up sugary drinks with gas. Caffeine is also not a recommended drink, as it is one of the factors in the development of hypoglycemia.
It is necessary to introduce foods high in fiber into the diet, as it interferes with the rapid absorption of glucose by the body.
Meat and fish should be low-fat varieties, and dishes from them are best done steamed or by baking. It is recommended to eat fresh and dried fruits, but with a low sugar content.
A diet to lower blood sugar is designed in such a way that there are five meals throughout the day.
Traditional therapy
The doctor may recommend the use of dextrose monosaccharide. In a hospital setting, glucose-containing drugs are usually administered intravenously. In extreme cases, when they do not bring the glucose level to normal, the hormone glucagon is administered intramuscularly . And in the most extreme cases, when it is impossible to raise sugar in any way, "Hydrocartisone" or adrenaline is administered.
What does traditional medicine offer?
Naturally, even herbal treatment is best agreed with the attending physician so as not to aggravate the state of health.
The simplest and most affordable, effective way is to use a decoction of rose hips. The fruits of the plant are placed in a thermos and poured with boiling water, insist for 1.5-2 hours. Drink tea to lower blood sugar for 3-4 months. You can add honey or sugar in tea in small quantities.
You can make a more complex decoction. It will require:
- chamomile;
- rosehip flowers;
- St. John's wort
All ingredients are mixed in equal parts. Two tablespoons are placed in a thermos and poured with half a liter of boiling water. Insist this mixture is necessary for 2 hours. Eat ¼ before each meal.
You can use tincture of Leuzea, which is easy to purchase at any pharmacy. With a regular drop in sugar after ingestion, tincture should be taken regularly. In a glass of water, 10-20 drops are diluted.
Remember that hypoglycemia is quickly treated if you consult a doctor on time. However, ignoring the problem will inevitably lead to the development of other pathologies, people with low blood sugar often get into accidents, since an attack significantly reduces the orientation in space.