As part of regular preventive examinations, a study is conducted to identify the concentration of sugar (more precisely, glucose) in the blood. With the help of analysis, it is possible to detect diabetes in a timely manner and take appropriate measures. The study should constantly be carried out independently and by persons who have previously been diagnosed with an ailment. But sometimes, both in patients and in healthy people, low sugar levels can be detected. In such cases, it is customary to talk about hypoglycemia. This condition requires immediate treatment, regardless of the severity of the symptoms. This is due to the fact that with a critical decrease in the indicator, a hypoglycemic coma can occur.
Normal values for women
The indicators are currently approved by WHO. But when interpreting the results, the doctor takes into account not only generally accepted norms. Of great importance is the woman's age, her weight and diet. It should be noted that sugar levels are higher for those women who are obese. In this regard, it is not necessary to independently decipher the results. This can lead to erroneous conclusions.
Below in the table are blood sugar rates by age for women.
| Age years | Indicators, mmol / l |
| 1 month - 14 years | 3.3 to 5.6 |
| 14 - 60 | 4.1 to 5.9 |
| 61 - 90 | 4.6 to 6.4 |
| 91 years and older | 4.2 to 6.7 |
As can be seen from the table, with age, the rate of increase.
It is worth considering the fact that the concentration of glucose in the blood rises after eating and can be about 7 mmol / L. In this regard, it is not recommended to conduct a study after a meal, it should be carried out on an empty stomach.
Pregnant women have a pronounced rearrangement of the body. During the gestation period, normal values range from 3.3-6.6 mmol / L.
Normal values for men
Doctors say that the stronger sex with excellent health have nothing to worry about. Their sugar indicators deviate from the norm extremely rarely. However, for preventive purposes, the study is also included in the list of mandatory medical examinations.
The table below shows the norms of blood sugar by age in men.
| Age years | Indicators, mmol / l |
| 18 - 20 | 3.3 to 5.4 |
| 21 - 50 | 3.4 to 5.5 |
| 51 - 60 | 3.5 to 5.7 |
| 61 - 70 | 3.5 to 6.5 |
| 71 and older | 3.6 to 7 |
The deviation of the indicators from the norm can be affected by physical activity, jumps in testosterone, and being in a state of stress. The doctor must take these factors into account when interpreting the results.
Low blood sugar: causes in an adult
Hypoglycemia is a pathological condition characterized by a deviation of the indicator from the norm downward. It is customary to talk about it when the sugar level drops to 3.3 mmol / L. The permissible value for the glucometer is up to 3.5 mmol / l.
Information about why blood sugar is low can be provided by an endocrinologist or therapist. But for this, it is first necessary to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis.
The main causes of low blood sugar in an adult:
- Prolonged fasting, following a low-calorie diet (less than 1300 kcal per day).
- Incorrect medication for diabetes. The active components of the medications help to reduce the concentration of glucose in the blood. Often a person gets used to the manifestations of hypoglycemia and simply becomes insensitive to it.
- The presence of insulinomas. This is a tumor located in the pancreas and producing insulin. Against the background of neoplasm activity, a low blood sugar level is always diagnosed. In an adult, it can be even 1 mmol / L.
- Frequent use of alcohol-containing drinks against the background of progression of liver pathologies.
- Cardiac and renal failure.
- Hyperthyroidism
- Genetic predisposition.
In addition, recently undergone digestive surgery may cause a low blood sugar in an adult.
Symptoms in women
Clinical manifestations may have varying degrees of severity. The following symptoms indicate low blood sugar in women:
- Excessive sweating.
- Causeless anxiety.
- Aggression towards others.
- Pallor of the skin.
- Hypertonicity of muscle tissue.
- Tachycardia.
- Involuntary muscle trembling.
- High blood pressure.
- Dilated pupils.
- General weakness.
- Nausea, often turning into vomiting.
- A constant feeling of hunger.
- Frequent episodes of dizziness.
- Impaired consciousness.
- Episodes of short-term amnesia.
Doctors say that, regardless of the underlying cause, low blood sugar in an adult woman appears brighter if she suffers from pathologies of the endocrine system. In addition, intense symptoms are observed during pregnancy and menopause.
Symptoms in men
The representatives of the stronger sex have a rather poor clinical picture and may indicate the presence of a large number of diseases.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia in men:
- Frequent episodes of headache.
- Increased fatigue.
- Heart palpitations.
- Cramps.
- Slow reaction.
- Nervous excitement.
Most men attribute the presence of these symptoms to fatigue and do not go to doctors, thereby risking their own health.
Diagnostics
As mentioned above, if you have any warning signs, you need to contact a therapist or endocrinologist. Only a doctor can make the correct diagnosis and, when confirming hypoglycemia, provide information regarding how to normalize blood sugar in an adult.
After collecting an anamnesis and conducting a physical examination, a specialist will draw up a referral for a clinical blood test. Biological material can be either venous or capillary fluid connective tissue. The process of its collection is standard and does not have any specific features.
Deciphering the analysis of sugar in an adult should also be carried out by the attending physician. This is due to the fact that the specialist during the interpretation must take into account many factors.
In order for the result to be as accurate as possible, it is necessary to observe the preparation rules: do not eat 8-10 hours before taking the biomaterial, do not expose the body to high-intensity physical activity for 2 days, do not smoke for 1 hour, do not drink alcohol-containing drinks for 48 hours. In addition, the doctor must be informed regarding the use of certain drugs.
Persons suffering from diabetes can be tested independently using a glucometer.
It is important to remember that, regardless of the severity of the symptoms of low blood sugar in an adult, it is impossible to delay the treatment of a pathological condition. This is due to the fact that ignoring the ailment can lead to a hypoglycemic coma.
First aid
Pathology is not always accompanied by mild symptoms. There is such a thing as an "attack of hypoglycemia." This is a condition in which a person’s well-being deteriorates sharply and often he loses consciousness.
Symptoms of an attack:
- Cramps.
- Disorientation in space.
- Dizziness.
- Visual impairment.
In this case, you must take a glucose tablet as soon as possible, eat candy or drink any drink containing sugar (a large amount of it in packaged juices). Persons who have only recently been diagnosed with diabetes should always carry them with them. This is due to the fact that at the initial stage of treatment, signs of hypoglycemia can often be disturbing.
In severe cases, a person may lose consciousness. In this case, call an ambulance team as soon as possible. Doctors initially inject glucose into the victim. The rate of its entry is strictly controlled, it is important that the indicator is kept within 5-10 mmol / l. After hospitalization, a comprehensive diagnosis is carried out. It is from its results that the further management tactics of the patient depend.
Treatment
It is important to remember that hypoglycemia is not an independent disease, but a symptom. And treatment directly depends on the root cause of its occurrence.
When an adult has low blood sugar, a comprehensive diagnosis is required, including both laboratory and instrumental studies. Only on the basis of its results will the doctor be able to draw up the most effective treatment regimen.
For example, if insulinoma is detected, surgery is indicated. If it turned out to be ineffective, conservative treatment is prescribed. Its goal is to suppress insulin production. If the treatment of the tumor is unsuccessful, symptomatic therapy is performed.
In each case, a diet adjustment is indicated.
Power Features
Diet is the most important stage of treatment, if not observed, drug therapy will be ineffective. Experts advise to include proteins in the diet, against the background of which the process of carbohydrate absorption is slowed down, due to which the blood sugar level remains stable.
The menu must include:
- Meat and fish of low-fat varieties.
- Dairy products.
- Nuts.
- Legumes.
- Fig.
- Whole wheat bread.
- Durum wheat pasta.
- Starchy vegetables and fruits.
Food should be fractional. The maximum interval between meals is 3 hours. The size of one serving should not exceed 200 g.
What is dangerous hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar is a pathological condition that poses a danger not only to health, but also to human life.
Ignoring signs of hypoglycemia can lead to the development of the following complications:
- Cerebral dysfunctions (in particular, dementia).
- Worsening the course of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Often the consequence is a stroke or heart attack.
- Hypoglycemic coma.
- Retinal hemorrhages.
In addition, low blood sugar negatively affects the development of the fetus during pregnancy. In this regard, women in the gestational period should not forget about the need for regular delivery of biomaterial for analysis.
It is worth noting that with proper treatment, the risk of developing the above complications is minimized.
Prevention
To prevent the development of hypoglycemia, it is enough to follow a few simple rules:
- Follow the principles of a therapeutic diet. It is strictly forbidden to take long breaks between meals (4 hours is the maximum permissible period).
- Healthy people control blood glucose twice a year, patients with diabetes - constantly.
- Strictly observe the dosage with the introduction of insulin (if it is prescribed by your doctor).
- Always have caramel, sweet cookies, crackers, a small packet of juice, etc. With their timely use, you can quickly stop a hypoglycemic attack. This is especially true for people who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes.
- Correctly organize the regime of the day. It is important to remember that you need to rest regularly and fully.
- Avoid getting into stressful situations.
In addition, it is necessary to abandon bad habits: smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs. Only in this way can the development of hypoglycemia be prevented.
Finally
Low blood sugar is a pathological condition that is not an independent disease. Hypoglycemia is always a symptom that indicates the development of an ailment in the body. If there are alarming signs, you need to contact a therapist or endocrinologist. The doctor will carry out diagnostic measures and provide information regarding how to increase blood sugar in an adult.