Hypoglycemia Causes for Abnormally Low Blood Sugar (Glucose) Levels
Glucose is a primary source of energy for living organisms. You are living, thus it is your primary source of energy. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, occurs when blood levels of glucose drop too low to fuel your body’s activity.
After your eat, glucose molecules are absorbed into your bloodstream and carried to the cells, where they are used for energy. Insulin, a hormone produced by your pancreas, helps glucose enter cells.
If your body absorbs more glucose than it needs at the time, the extra glucose is stored in your liver and muscles in a usable form and is available whenever needed, i.e. for energy between meals. Extra glucose can also be converted to fat and stored in fat cells.
Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood glucose drops too low, and it can happen fast. Some common causes of it are taking too much diabetes medicine, missing a meal, delaying a meal, exercising more than usual, or alcohol consumption. Sometimes, the medicines you may be taking for other health problems can cause your blood glucose to drop.
Some of the symptoms indicators that you do not have enough glucose in your blood are:
- hunger
- confusion
- sleepiness
- perspiration
- difficulty speaking
- feeling anxious or weak
- nervousness and shakiness
- dizziness or light-headedness
Your blood sugar levels can drop while you’re sleeping and during this hypoglycemia state you may:
- cry out/have nightmares
- feel tired, irritable, confused when you wake up
- find that your pajamas or sheets are damp from perspiration
Some lifestyle adjustments to help you prevent or relieve a hypoglycemic episode are:
- exercise regularly
- choose high-fiber foods
- eat small meals and snacks about every 3 hours
- avoid or limit foods high in sugar, especially on an empty stomach
And eat a wide variety of food.
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