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Anyone that has been diagnosed with hypoglycemia needs to be very sure that they are in touch with their doctor and are following his or her recommendations carefully. Hypoglycemia refers to a consistently low level of sugar in the blood and is different from diabetes or other blood sugar problems, although it can be a result of this condition.
It's important to also understand that if you are planning on treating hypoglycemia that you know you actually have this condition and the only way to know for sure is with a visit to your doctor. The digestive process is consistent and ongoing, and it's a natural part of that process to have your blood sugar rise and fall throughout the day. Symptoms include dizziness or lightheadedness, weakness, sweating, coldness or clamminess, feeling numb or a tingling sensation in the fingers, and anxiety or tremor. Sometimes a person can have these symptoms due to other conditions, and feeling a bit nervous and anxious or lightheaded when you haven't eaten in awhile does not necessarily mean you actually have hypoglycemia. Trying to address a condition you don't have is just as dangerous as ignoring a problem that you do have.
Causes of Hypoglycemia
There can be many reasons why one would have low blood sugar because it usually run in one's family. If one's parents were diabetic it's not unusual for these problems to be passed on to the children. Obesity is also a common cause of this condition as a person that is overweight usually has problems with the blood sugar levels. A very poor diet can also wreak havoc on the body's ability to handle sugar; the pancreas and its ability to produce insulin is thrown off course as it tries to digest food properly.
Sometimes the subsection of the pancreas call the Islets of Langerhan produces to much insulin. The insulin function is to remove surplus glucose from the bloodstream. The insulin keeps not only the surplus but also the required sugar that your body needs out of the blood. This means that the brain is not getting enough sugar as food and will send out distress signals in the form of craving for sweets. The pancreas then produces even more insulin to combat the sudden high levels of sugar after indulging in a sweet treat which will change the sugar into fat for storage by the body. A common side effect of hypoglycemia is overweight
Treating Hypoglycemia
Some cases are so far advanced that only medication can help keep one's blood sugar level. If your doctor has prescribed any type of medication or treatment for you, it's important to keep taking this medication without fail and do not stop taking it unless your doctor gives you express permission. However, there are other things you can do to keep your case of hypoglycemia in check and lessen the secondary symptoms of it. For one, be mindful of how often you eat.
Blood sugar levels drop when the stomach is empty or after the body has digested food. You never want to use this condition as an excuse to overeat, but having very modest portions every three or four hours is helpful. By modest portions, we mean a few pieces of cheese, a handful of peanuts, some peanut butter on crackers, or a slice of toast. These small bits of food will keep your blood sugar level but will not make you gain weight. Protein also helps to regulate your blood sugar, so have food that's high in protein. This usually means meat and dairy products. Avoid sugary foods as well.
Vitamin B is necessary for good metabolism and is necessary in the digestion of carbohydrates.
Thiamin is needed to convert food into energy and is needed for the utilizing of carbohydrates by the body.
Lecithin helps to burn body fat and it helps one feel well fed on less food.
Cysteine can block the effects of insulin and be quite effective in controlling hypoglycemia. Cysteine is even more effective when combined with Vitamin C and Vitamin B1.
Phenylalanine acts directly on the appetite center of the brain to help suppress the cravings for food.
St. John's Wort extract is valuable in boosting seratonin levels in the brain to help reduce cravings for food.
Vitamin E accelerates wound healing and aids in the functioning of the immune system.
Always consult your doctor before using this information.
This Article is nutritional in nature and not to be construed as medical advice.
David Cowley has created numerous articles about the relationship between diseases and vitamins. Visit Health Related Articles |
