What are the symptoms of low blood sugar? Why blood glucose levels drop and what needs to be done

A condition known as hypoglycemia, which is characterized by a low level, is considered dangerous for the human body. When glucose levels are low, organs do not receive the necessary nutrition they need to function normally.

The consequence of this is the appearance of problems with the functioning of the brain, that is, it gradually turns off and coma occurs. What are the causes of low blood sugar in a person, what symptoms appear with such a pathology, and how to restore normal blood sugar levels?

Many patients mistakenly believe that only those who have been diagnosed should take care of their levels. There is some truth to this statement, since in the body of diabetics the concentration of sugar is labile and can reach critical levels. Many patients with diabetes are aware of this feature of their body, so they use a piece of sugar or candy as an emergency aid.

There are situations when a decrease in sugar levels is observed in completely healthy people, and the levels reach a critical level.

Experts identify several reasons that can provoke such a pathological state of the body:

One of the most common reasons for a decrease in sugar levels in the human body is considered to be improper and inadequate nutrition. This leads to depletion of the body’s internal reserves and, above all, to a significant reduction in the amount of carbohydrates, which serve as the main suppliers of energy.
A decrease in blood sugar concentration can be observed when the time intervals between meals are too long. The fact is that along with food, the body is saturated with carbohydrates, which are quickly broken down during metabolism. A certain part of them is recycled, and the rest is converted into energy reserves. If there is a long-term abstinence from eating, then the consequence of this may well be a strong decrease in blood sugar. In addition, low glucose concentrations are observed in the morning, when a person has not yet had time to eat.
The presence of a large amount of sweets in a person’s diet leads to a rapid increase in blood glucose. The fact is that a too rapid increase in blood sugar is replaced by a sharp decline. Exactly the same effect is accompanied by a person drinking alcoholic beverages and sweet water with gases.
Active physical activity on the body, even with adequate nutrition, is accompanied by a decrease in blood sugar concentration. The consequence of this is the appearance of a lack of energy, since the level of consumed carbohydrates significantly exceeds consumed ones.

There are reasons that cause a decrease in sugar levels in the body of people with a disease such as diabetes:

taking certain types of antidiabetic medicines
drinking alcoholic beverages without food
injecting too much insulin into the body
mixed intake of alcohol with antidiabetic drugs

Often, low sugar concentrations are diagnosed in completely healthy people as a result of various pathologies, and, as well as problems with metabolic processes.

Symptoms of the disease

A disease such as hypoglycemia can be mild or severe. When diagnosing a mild stage of the pathology, the patient may complain of the appearance of cold sweat mainly on the back of the neck, severe hunger, increased anxiety and slight trembling throughout the body. In addition, signs of the disease such as headaches, dizziness, mild chills and attacks of nausea are noted.

As the pathology progresses, an even greater deterioration of the person’s condition and the development of the following signs are possible:

problems with orientation in space
sudden change of mood
crying or joy without any expressed reason
speech is too slow and unclear
the appearance of problems with consciousness

With severe hypoglycemia, a person becomes like a very drunk person, and often those around him are convinced that this is exactly what he is doing and refuse to help him. In fact, this condition is considered extremely dangerous, because a person is no longer able to help himself on his own.

In the absence of timely measures taken, the state of health deteriorates even more and a convulsive syndrome occurs in combination with loss of consciousness.

Gradually, a diabetic coma sets in, which is accompanied by cerebral edema and leads to death.In some cases, hypoglycemia can develop completely unexpectedly, for example, at night.

If a decrease in blood sugar occurs at night, the following symptoms may appear:

increased sweating
increased anxiety
sleepwalking
nightmares

When the amount of glucose decreases during sleep, a person usually complains of a headache in the morning.

Features of hypoglycemia

Experts say that hypoglycemia predominantly develops in adult patients with long-term diabetes therapy. Not strictly following the daily routine and diet, disruption of circadian rhythms in combination with physical activity leads to the fact that taking glucose-lowering drugs or insulin injections causes a too strong decrease in concentration.

People with alcohol dependence are also diagnosed with severely low blood sugar. The fact is that ethanol has a side effect on the body and the consequence of this is the accelerated depletion of gluten reserves and the inhibition of the genesis associated with it.It is important to monitor the concentration of glucose in the blood throughout the day, because hypoglycemia can cause a dangerous condition such as coma.

The main reason for low blood sugar concentrations in childhood may be a low-calorie diet.

In addition, too long intervals between meals against the background of increased physical activity and strong psychological stress can cause the development of the disease.Hypoglycemia is detected in premature infants with asphyxia during labor, respiratory distress and hypothermia.

Treatment method

Hypoglycemia is diagnosed in a person if a blood test shows low sugar levels. In addition, the patient exhibits signs of the disease, which disappear after eating sweet foods. Diagnosis of pathology is complemented by a physical examination, studying the patient’s lifestyle and state of health.

In the event that there is an insignificant drop in sugar in the body, then it can easily cope with such a pathological condition on its own. To do this, it is recommended to eat some sweet product, for example, a little honey, candy or a piece of sugar. With a strong decrease in sugar, loss of consciousness is possible, so you need to call an ambulance as soon as possible. In such a situation, a glucose solution or glucagon is injected into the patient’s body intravenously, after which the concentration of sugar in the blood is determined an hour later.

In severe cases, it is possible to hospitalize the patient in a hospital facility and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Drug therapy depends on the reasons that provoked the development of hypoglycemia. After identifying the cause of low blood glucose, it is determined how long the glucose infusion will last and the rate of its elimination. In fact, the sugar content should be between 5-10 mmol/liter.

More information about hypoglycemia can be found in the video:

Elimination of hypoglycemia is based on conservative treatment of the underlying disease and relieving the patient of the symptoms of the disease. For this purpose, the following medicinal measures are carried out:

administration of glucose intravenously using a dropper or oral administration of the monosaccharide dextrose, which is immediately absorbed in the oral cavity into the blood without entering the digestive tract
consumption of simple fast and slow carbohydrates in a certain dosage
intramuscular injection of glucagon
fractional injections of corticosteroids - adrenaline and hydrocortisone
compliance with special diet instructions

Hypoglycemia can be treated using traditional medicine, but only after consulting a doctor.In order to prevent a significant decrease in sugar in the human body, it is necessary to comply with certain preventive measures. First of all, you should adhere to a special diet with divided doses and a proper daily routine.

In addition, it is necessary to take multivitamin complexes, which must contain chromium. Prevention of hypoglycemia involves giving up bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol. It is important to correct the treatment of diabetes mellitus, and physical education and sports should be strictly dosed. In addition, you should familiarize your family members with how to act in the event of a sudden onset of a symptom.

In healthy people, blood glucose levels should be maintained at a certain level. Only in this case can the body work correctly: the cells have enough nutrition, and the brain has enough energy. But it often happens that blood sugar levels rise or fall. If this happens frequently and lasts for a long time, it causes serious health problems. Increased sugar levels are now quite common and lead to a fairly common disease - diabetes.

Many people know how dangerous high blood glucose levels are. And they are trying their best to reduce it. But not everyone understands that low blood sugar is no less dangerous. And sometimes even more: some people cannot immediately recognize the first symptoms of this condition, and this can lead to loss of consciousness and coma.

What is hypoglycemia

Glucose, or sugar as it is commonly called, is always present in human blood. It gives energy to cells and especially the brain. Glucose enters the body with food, and its main supplier is carbohydrates.

They are the main source of energy that allows the entire body to function normally. If a person eats properly, receiving a sufficient amount of complex carbohydrates from food, excess glucose is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles. This is where it comes from when there is a shortage.

If it is observed and there are no glycogen reserves, then a state of hypoglycemia occurs - a lack of glucose. In this case, cellular metabolism is disrupted, and primarily the heart and brain suffer from this. A prolonged decrease in blood glucose levels leads to the death of its cells. If its level drops sharply, the person loses consciousness and may fall into a coma.

Therefore, people with diabetes who are trying to lower blood sugar quickly need to be careful - its high level does not immediately lead to dangerous consequences. But hypoglycemia can also occur in healthy people. True, malaise is not always associated with a decrease in blood sugar levels. And it happens that without timely action, this condition leads to irreversible consequences.

Symptoms of low sugar levels

Restless sleep, with nightmares and frequent awakenings;

In the morning, a person whose blood sugar level is low feels tired and weak, and may experience a headache;

Irritability and anxiety;

State of chronic fatigue;

Limbs may tremble and go numb, and severe weakness is felt in the muscles;

Frequent headaches and dizziness;

- you constantly want to eat, but at the same time you feel nauseous;

The body experiences an increased need for drinks, especially coffee, tea and soda.

Why does low blood sugar occur?

This condition can also occur in a completely healthy person. And it is not always possible to determine the reasons for the malaise and take the right measures. Therefore, it is important to know what can cause low blood sugar:

Long-term malnutrition, diets, as well as non-caloric and nutrient-poor foods, especially carbohydrates;

Very long breaks between meals. Carbohydrates are broken down quickly, and if a person does not eat for more than 8 hours, then blood sugar begins to drop;

Heavy physical activity or intensive sports;

Frequent consumption of sweets, confectionery, carbonated drinks or alcohol, which leads to intense insulin secretion. At the same time, blood sugar quickly decreases.

What diseases can cause this condition?

The most common cause of hypoglycemia is diabetes mellitus.
Pancreatic tumors can also cause low blood sugar.
Some diseases of the liver and stomach, for example, the condition after their resection or congenital enzyme deficiency.
Diseases of the adrenal glands, pituitary gland or hypothalamus, which are involved in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism.

How to lower blood sugar at home?

People with diabetes are often prescribed medications to regulate their glucose levels. But it depends on many factors, so it is difficult to choose the right dosage. And it is important for such patients to know how to lower blood sugar at home. In this case, you can do without sudden jumps and unpleasant consequences. To do this, you need to include in your diet:

Oatmeal, especially cereal with fruit for breakfast;

A person needs nuts every day and not only to maintain normal sugar levels;

Lemon reduces the glycemic index of all foods with which it is consumed;

It is better to replace regular bread with whole grain bread;

Try to eat more onions, garlic and leafy greens.

What can low sugar levels cause?

If signs of hypoglycemia are not noticed in time and measures are not taken, the patient’s condition will worsen.

The brain suffers the most from this, as it experiences “starvation.” Therefore, the following symptoms are added to the above symptoms:

Visual impairment;

Deterioration of mood;

Poor concentration;

Severe weakness and tremors appear in the limbs.

Over time, brain damage develops, and confusion of speech and consciousness and seizures may occur. Often this all ends in a stroke or coma. Without treatment, death occurs.

How to avoid low blood sugar?

People with diabetes know how to properly control their glucose levels. For them, it is more important to be able, on the contrary, to lower blood sugar quickly. And in case of hypoglycemia, they always carry candy or something sweet with them. But still, all drugs that lower blood sugar should be taken only after the recommendation of a doctor.

And do not forget to regularly monitor its level. But relatively healthy people who often experience constant ailments need to check their blood sugar levels and prevent it from dropping. To do this you need:

Stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages, which stimulate insulin production;

Reduce consumption of coffee, carbonated drinks and sweets;

Avoid long periods of fasting: it is advisable to eat in small portions, but 5-6 times a day;

Eat fish, seafood and foods rich in fatty acids more often;

Before an intense workout, you need to eat something easily digestible, but high in calories.

In addition, people who often experience hypoglycemia, especially those with diabetes, should limit the use of herbs and foods that greatly lower blood sugar levels. This can be bay leaf, clover, dandelion grass, bean leaves, as well as Jerusalem artichoke, spinach, parsley, pineapples, blueberries and some other vegetables and fruits.

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A severe decrease in blood sugar is a disease called hypoglycemia. This is a serious disease that is triggered by a low concentration of glucose in the body. All human organs do not receive sufficient nutrition, and metabolism is disrupted. This can lead to serious disruptions in the functioning of the human body. If the patient is brought to a critical condition, he may fall into a coma. Symptoms of the disease can vary and intensify as the disease progresses. There are a large number of reasons that provoke such a disorder in the human body.

Common causes of violation

Hypoglycemia is usually caused by a number of reasons, such as:

Increased insulin levels in the pancreas.
Using a large number of medications with a high dose of insulin.
Improper functioning of the pituitary gland and adrenal glands.
Diabetes.
Improper carbohydrate metabolism in the liver.

The causes of hypoglycemia are divided into medicinal and non-medicinal. People with diabetes are most often susceptible to drug-induced hypoglycemia. If the dose of insulin administered to the patient is incorrectly calculated and exceeds the norm, then this can provoke various disorders in the body. Reasons not related to improper medication use include fasting. Often, after a long period of abstinence from food, the human body can respond to the consumption of carbohydrates by lowering blood sugar.

Quite often, diabetics suffer from hypoglycemia due to poor nutrition. If food consumption norms are not observed, insulin ends up in excess in the human body. As a result, the drug begins to help reduce the amount of sugar in the blood. Patients who have had diabetes for a long time are especially susceptible to developing hypoglycemia. This is caused by improper functioning of the pancreas and adrenal glands. The reasons lie in the fact that glucagon and adrenaline are produced in insufficient quantities. This means that the body has weak protection against hypoglycemia. Not only medications for diabetics, but also many other medications can cause the development of the disease.

The reasons for the development of the disease sometimes lie in the mental state of the patient. If a person is very susceptible to various mental disorders, this can provoke the appearance of hypoglycemia. Mentally unhealthy people can deliberately inject themselves with insulin if they have access to it. Treatment of such patients is carried out in special clinics.

The cause of a decrease in sugar levels is often a person's excessive consumption of alcohol. If a person suffers from alcoholism for long enough and at the same time neglects proper nutrition, then the body begins to gradually deplete. Subsequently, an attack (stupor) sometimes occurs even with low blood alcohol levels.

Rare causes of low sugar levels

Why does blood sugar drop? The cause may be intense physical activity. Such a lesion can occur even in the healthiest person. Sometimes the cause of a strong decrease in the amount of sugar is a malfunction of the pituitary gland. When the liver is damaged, the supply of carbohydrates in it is significantly reduced. This means that the human body cannot maintain the required amount of sugar.

Occasionally, hypoglycemia may occur in patients with liver disease after several hours of fasting. Such people need to adhere to a strict diet and eat food according to a schedule. If the patient does not fulfill this condition, the amount of sugar in his blood may drop sharply. Children under one year of age are also susceptible to developing hypoglycemia.

Surgery can cause hypoglycemia. If the patient has undergone gastric surgery, this may cause a decrease in blood sugar. In most cases, such a deviation is provoked by non-compliance with the diet during the rehabilitation period after surgery. Sugar begins to be absorbed very quickly, and this provokes excessive insulin production. Very rarely, when the stomach is affected, hypoglycemia can occur for no particular reason.

There is a separate type of disease called reactive hypoglycemia. This is a malaise that occurs in a person and is accompanied by a sharp drop in the amount of sugar in the blood. Today, this phenomenon is quite rare in adults. A drop in blood sugar is recorded during a short-term refusal to eat, but the results of the study change as soon as the patient eats food. This is not true hypoglycemia.

The most common reactive form of the disease occurs in children under one year of age. During this period, they are especially susceptible to consuming fructose or lactose. These foods may prevent the liver from producing glucose freely. And the consumption of leucine provokes strong production of insulin by the pancreas. If a child eats a lot of foods containing these substances, then he experiences a sharp drop in blood sugar immediately after eating. In adults, a similar reaction can occur when drinking alcoholic beverages with a high sugar content.

Additional causes of hypoglycemia

In very rare cases, a decrease in the amount of sugar is triggered by the development of a tumor of insulin-producing cells, which are located in the pancreas. As a result, the number of these cells increases and the amount of insulin produced increases. Any neoplasms that arise outside the pancreas, but contribute to an increase in insulin, also provoke a decrease in sugar.

Quite rarely, sugar levels drop if a person has an autoimmune disease. In this case, the body's system malfunctions and it begins to produce antibodies to insulin. In this case, the level of the element in the body begins to rise and fall sharply. This leads to changes in blood sugar levels and contributes to the progression of hypoglycemia. Such progression of the disease is extremely rare.

Low sugar levels sometimes occur in patients with kidney or heart failure. Hypoglycemia may develop due to another disease (for example, cirrhosis of the liver, viral hepatitis, severe viral or inflammatory infection). People with an unbalanced diet and patients who have been diagnosed with a malignant tumor are at risk.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia

There are different degrees of manifestation of this disease. In some patients, sugar levels drop significantly only in the morning. This is accompanied by decreased tone, drowsiness and weakness. In order to remove such symptoms of the disease and return to the normal rhythm of life, it is enough for the patient to have breakfast and regain his strength. Sometimes hypoglycemia begins to appear, on the contrary, after eating. This disorder usually occurs in patients with diabetes. There are symptoms that can help you identify a sharp drop in blood sugar:

Severe nausea.
Hunger.
Sudden decrease in visual acuity.
Chills, extremities become very cold.
Irritability and severe fatigue.
Numbness of arms and legs.
Muscle weakness.
Increased sweating.

Such symptoms appear as a result of a lack of nutrients that do not reach the brain. Usually, consuming fast-digesting carbohydrates helps in this case. Before and after meals, you need to measure your blood sugar levels. If after eating it returns to normal, then there is no cause for concern. If carbohydrate-containing foods are not taken in time, the patient’s condition may worsen and the following symptoms will appear:

Cramps.
Unsteadiness in the legs.
Incoherence of speech.

If a sufficient amount of glucose does not enter the body, the person may even lose consciousness. The patient may experience an attack that looks like an epileptic seizure.

Sometimes a stroke and severe brain damage can develop as a result of the disease.

This condition is especially dangerous for people with diabetes, as they can fall into a coma.

Thank you for your feedback

Comments

Megan92 () 2 weeks ago

Has anyone managed to completely cure diabetes? They say it is impossible to completely cure...

Daria () 2 weeks ago

I also thought it was impossible, but after reading this article, I had long since forgotten about this “incurable” disease.

Megan92 () 13 days ago

Daria () 12 days ago

Megan92, that’s what I wrote in my first comment) I’ll duplicate it just in case - link to article.

Sonya 10 days ago

Isn't this a scam? Why do they sell on the Internet?

Yulek26 (Tver) 10 days ago

Sonya, what country do you live in? They sell it on the Internet because stores and pharmacies charge outrageous markups. In addition, payment is only after receipt, that is, they first looked, checked and only then paid. And now they sell everything on the Internet - from clothes to TVs and furniture.

Editor's response 10 days ago

Sonya, hello. This drug for the treatment of diabetes mellitus is indeed not sold through the pharmacy chain in order to avoid inflated prices. Currently you can only order from official website. Be healthy!

Sonya 10 days ago

I apologize, I didn’t notice the information about cash on delivery at first. Then everything is fine if payment is made upon receipt.

Content

A state of low blood sugar is no less dangerous than an increase in glucose above normal, so it is important for men and women to know why such a deficiency occurs and what symptoms the disease manifests itself. It is necessary not only to monitor indicators of sugar absorption, but also to understand what actions need to be taken in case of hypoglycemia, since a critical situation is fraught with serious complications, even life-threatening.

What is low blood sugar

Lack of blood sugar or hypoglycemia is a pathology when the level of glucose in the blood falls below normal, which in a healthy person on an empty stomach is 3.3 - 5.5 mmol/l. Glucose is the fuel of our brain, and an imbalance in its levels leads to a hypoglycemic reaction, even coma. Low blood sugar is caused by many reasons: illness, physiological characteristics of the body, poor diet.

Causes of low blood sugar

The cause of the pathology is the discrepancy between the level of the hormone insulin in the blood and the intake of carbohydrates during physical activity and with food. The main provocateur is poor nutrition, when the body does not receive the necessary carbohydrates, and with them, energy. As a rule, a sharp drop in blood sugar occurs with diabetes, but this condition is also possible in healthy people. Among the causes of pathology:

overdose of insulin, hypoglycemic drugs for diabetes;
poor nutrition (deficiency of fiber, mineral salts and vitamins with a predominance of foods with refined carbohydrates);
dehydration;
excessive physical activity;
alcohol abuse;
organ failure (pancreas, liver, heart, kidneys, adrenal glands);
exhaustion;
hormonal deficiency with inhibition of the production of glucagon, somatropin, adrenaline, cortisol;
extracellular tumors, benign neoplasms, autoimmune abnormalities;
excess intravenous drip of saline;
chronic diseases;
long breaks between meals (empty stomach);
menses.

The child has

Low blood glucose levels in children occur, as a rule, due to low-calorie nutrition, large time intervals between meals against the background of physical activity, psychological stress, and lack of sleep. Less commonly observed is familial idiopathic (spontaneous) hypoglycemia on a pathogenetic basis, which manifests itself in children under two years of age. The catalyst is high sensitivity to leucine, which accelerates insulin synthesis and blocks gluconeogenesis in the liver, which causes a decrease in glucose.

Hypoglycemia in premature newborns, manifested by hypothermia, respiratory disorders, and cyanosis, is also considered a frequent occurrence. However, it can also be asymptomatic; in this case, it can be detected in the first hours of life only with the appropriate analysis. The mother herself is a risk factor for the child if she has type 2 diabetes and takes glucose-lowering medications. The baby, regardless of the degree of clinical manifestations, needs urgent therapy - administration of glucose or glucagon and hydrocortisone.

Symptoms

During an attack of hypoglycemia, a person’s well-being depends on the speed and level of sugar drop. Symptoms of low blood sugar may occur if your glucose levels drop sharply but remain within normal limits. The main features include:

adrenergic disorders - increased sweating, jump in blood pressure, pale skin, agitation, anxiety, tachycardia;
parasympathetic signs - weakness, nausea, vomiting, hunger;
neuroglycopenic phenomena - fainting, dizziness, disorientation, inappropriate behavior.

Among women

Low blood sugar can be expressed weakly, the signal is manifested only by increased drowsiness and fatigue. Women are more prone to this pathology, especially with hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause and endocrine diseases, ovarian dysfunction. But the following characteristic symptoms may also appear:

sweating;
anxiety, aggressiveness;
pale skin;
muscle hypertonicity;
tachycardia;
muscle tremors;
increased blood pressure;
mydriasis;
general weakness;
nausea, vomiting;
hunger;
dizziness, amnesia;
fainting, impaired consciousness.

In men

Blood glucose concentrations can change in men and women with age, due to lifestyle changes and addiction to bad habits. The opinion that the sugar norm for men is higher than for women has no basis. The indicator depends on nutrition, bad habits, stressful situations, and excessive stress. Low blood sugar manifests itself in men with the following symptoms:

headache;
fast fatiguability;
cardiopalmus;
slow reaction;
nervous excitement;
lack of energy;
convulsions.

Why is low blood sugar dangerous?

Neuroglycopenic and adrenergic manifestations disappear with proper therapy, however, in addition to them, low blood glucose is dangerous for the development of hypoglycemic coma, cerebral dysfunction, even dementia. In addition, this condition is risky for people with cardiovascular diseases; it can provoke strokes and heart attacks, and retinal hemorrhage. In pregnant women, hypoglycemia negatively affects fetal development by reducing the amount of glucose supplied.

What to do if your blood sugar is low

You can cope with a minor lack of sugar yourself: drink a glucose solution, sweet juice, eat a lump of sugar, caramel, a spoonful of honey. However, not all sweet foods are recommended: for example, you cannot eat pasta, cakes, cereals, chocolate, ice cream, fruits, and white bread. In a serious condition, a person can lose consciousness and only immediate medical intervention will help.

The patient requires administration of glucagon or glucose, and after half an hour a blood test must be monitored. During therapy, it is important to observe the rate of administration so that the sugar level remains within 5-10 mmol/l. Subsequent treatment depends on the causes (insulin overdose, renal failure, liver disease), on the basis of which the duration of glucose infusion is determined.

Medicines to control blood sugar

For patients taking insulin and loved ones living with diabetics, the constant availability of drugs containing dextrose (glucose), glucagon should become mandatory, as well as knowledge of their correct use. To independently relieve hypoglycemia, there are the following medication options:

Glucose tablets. Dietary glucose is characterized by rapid absorption and active action. Pros: predictable action, cheap price. Cons: none. An alternative drug replacement option is ascorbic acid with glucose, sold in every pharmacy.
Dex4 tablets. Chewable tablets with dextrose do not require digestion by the intestines and are absorbed instantly. Pros: different pleasant tastes. Cons: little represented on the market.
Dextro4. Available in the form of gel, tablets, containing D-glucose. Quickly combats hypoglycemia. Pros: ease of choosing different shapes. Cons: none identified.

Diet

In a situation of glucose deficiency, the doctor prescribes a personal diet, taking into account the severity of the situation and underlying diseases. General recommendations are to increase complex carbohydrates in the menu - whole grain bread, vegetables, durum wheat pasta. You should choose low-fat, protein-rich foods: fish, chicken, rabbit, legumes. Not very sweet fruits must be included in the diet.

The ban is imposed on alcohol, carbonated drinks, semolina porridge, fatty soups, baked goods, muffins, caffeine, fast carbohydrates with a high glycemic index (honey, candies, cookies) are limited. You need to eat fractionally, in small portions, not allowing a long break between meals. We must not forget about other sources of protein - nuts, dairy products, seafood.

Low blood sugar is characterized by a condition called hypoglycemia. This is a rather dangerous state of the body when glucose is much less than normal and the body needs help. It is worth noting that not only low sugar content is dangerous to health, but also high sugar content. When glucose is low, the body does not receive enough nutrition and the brain suffers first. When the required amount of glucose does not enter the brain, it gradually begins to die. Accordingly, symptoms of malaise and weakness arise.

Causes of low blood sugar

There are reasons for both increases and decreases in blood sugar. Most often this happens due to an unbalanced diet. Those people who know their problems with low glucose always carry candy or chocolate with them. This is a kind of help without the use of various medications. There are several main reasons when sugar drops without any particular reason. This:

limited and unbalanced diet. This may be a strict diet, when the necessary supply of carbohydrates, which are the main source of energy, runs out;
too long breaks between meals. For example, when abstaining without food for 8 hours, blood sugar becomes very low, and the body requires renewed energy and the entire necessary amount of carbohydrates for energy;
constant intense physical activity. This can also happen with regular and proper nutrition, since more energy is consumed than consumed;
an excess of sweets, since all sweet foods can sharply increase blood glucose, and then there is a sharp drop. Thus, the body also suffers, which can be said about alcoholic drinks.

Low blood sugar - symptoms

The origin of hypoglycemia can be as varied as its symptoms. Most often, low blood sugar is observed in the morning, which is characterized by weakness, drowsiness and possible irritability. If you measure your sugar level, it will most likely be no more than 3.3 mmol/l. In this case, it is enough for a person to eat or drink sweet tea. Then all the symptoms will begin to disappear little by little.

There are also cases of response hypoglycemia, when sugar drops immediately after eating. Such symptoms may indicate the development of diabetes mellitus. There are some symptoms that can accurately characterize the future development of diabetes. This:

weakness, severe fatigue and irritability;
increased sweating;
chills, hot flashes and hand tremors;
muscle weakness and numbness in the legs;
strong feeling of hunger and nausea;
visual impairment in the most advanced cases.

For comparison, take a look at the symptoms that occur when glucose is higher than normal:

How does low sugar affect the brain?

Since the body suffers completely from a lack of sugar, the brain also experiences its own complications. The patient's condition may deteriorate significantly when the level drops to 3 mmol/l. The patient may experience convulsions, slurred speech, unsteady gait and absent-minded attention. Such conditions usually appear after brain cells begin to die.

If help is not provided to the patient in time, a convulsive attack or loss of consciousness may occur. Low blood sugar may indicate that the body is in a state of malaise. In this case, it is important to prevent a diabetic coma, because it is extremely dangerous.

Treatment for low blood sugar

If you already have the first symptoms of low sugar, you need to take immediate action. It is better not to increase low sugar levels on your own, since using inappropriate medications can only cause harm. For this, it is especially important to calculate the correct dose to raise blood glucose. It should be borne in mind that it is necessary to follow a precise diet, a minimum of physical activity and take medications on your own. Such unfounded methods of treatment can make the sugar level even lower, because it is not known exactly how this or that drug will affect the body.

During the diet, low sugar levels must be raised with the following products:

various seafood;
vegetables - tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and many others;
all fermented milk products, especially kefir and fermented baked milk.

If you follow the simplest rules of the diet, the treatment will be more than successful and you can achieve good results in a short time. Low blood sugar levels will no longer have a detrimental effect on your body, and most importantly, its levels can always be kept under control. All symptoms will gradually disappear as blood counts return to normal. It is very important to eat right and eat all those necessary foods that are especially important for your body. In such cases, even if sugar decreases, its indicators will not reach a critical level.

Is it possible to lose weight due to low blood sugar?

Many people think that diabetes, expressed in increased glucose, causes excess weight. Despite this, a lack of sugar can also have a detrimental effect on a person’s weight. But it is worth noting that everything increasingly depends on the individual characteristics of each organism.

Most often, symptoms of low sugar occur after physical activity, while the energy reserves of carbohydrates are burned and their replenishment is necessary. If this does not happen, the blood sugar level decreases accordingly. After its increase, the natural balance of normalization no longer works. Thus, someone may experience the burning of carbohydrates along with salt and fat deposits. And some people with a decrease in sugar experience, on the contrary, weight gain. Many people begin to actively engage in physical activity to lose weight, which especially affects the sharp decrease in glucose. Therefore, it is especially necessary to maintain a balance between nutrition and exercise.