All of us have heard about hypoglycemia which is associated with diabetes. There is a diabetes type, less heard about, that can cause similar, unsetting symptoms called hypoglycemia.
Reactive Hypoglycemia occurs after eating, typically a few hours later. Especially if you have taken carbohydrates in your meals. It is a kind of roller coaster of your sugar, where your blood sugar goes too low.
The main reason behind the presence of too much insulin in your bloodstream.
By understanding your body’s response, you can take control of your sugar rollercoaster and live a healthier, more energetic life.
In this condition, you have symptoms like weakness, pale skin, irritation, dizziness, fatigue, hunger, numbness, shaking, loss of consciousness, etc.
If you ever feel this kind of symptoms, then you should contact your doctor, they can help you to manage it.
What causes Reactive Hypoglycemia?
The exact reason behind this is not known, but it might be related to the excessive release of insulin.
The overproduction of insulin can cause your blood sugar to drop too low.
However, it is not mandatory that you not have diabetes means it can’t occur. It can also occur in people without diabetes due to various factors such as :
- There are some medications such as antibiotics and malaria medications, which can cause hypoglycemia.
- Consuming excess amounts of alcohol can be responsible for hypoglycemia. Drinking alcohol without eating can produce glucose in your bloodstream.
- Severe liver diseases can impair the liver’s ability to store and release glucose. This can lead to hypoglycemia.
- Hypoglycemia can occur due to certain hormonal deficiencies such as growth hormone deficiency.
- Sometimes, rare tumor-like insulinomas can cause the pancreas to release too much amount of insulin and lead to hypoglycemia.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on your symptoms and blood sugar test. Your doctor may recommend a glucose tolerance test which defines how your body handles the sugar.
How is it treated?
Treatment for this condition is so simple. But you have to maintain consistency.
Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms. From mild to moderate cases, you can simply treat yourself by consuming, a quick source of carbohydrates, such as :
- Have fruit juice which is beneficial for your body and doesn’t have any side effects.
- You can have regular soda but not a diet one.
- Hard candy is also a source of carbohydrates.
- Glucose tablets and gel are useful for carbohydrates.
After consuming carbohydrates then wait for 15 minutes and check your blood sugar level again. If it still shows low, then repeat the process.
For severe hypoglycemia cases, you should take concern from the doctor. They can give glucagon injections. It is a medical which is used to increase your blood sugar level.
In some cases, you may hospitalized.
Prevention of hypoglycemia:
If you have serious hypoglycemia then there are many ways to prevent hypoglycemia. This treatment involves dietary changes :
- Avoiding sugary drinks or processed food.
- Have those meals that contain vitamins, protein, and healthy fats. Always carry some healthy food items with you.
- You should choose complex carbohydrates as your meals rather than having simple carbohydrate meals.
- Eat in smaller quantities but have frequent meals throughout the day. Do not skip your meals or snacks. Especially If you take insulin or other diabetes medicines.
- You should monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.
- Talk with your doctor about your medicines. You should have proper knowledge about the medicine’s effect on your blood sugar level.
If you experience hypoglycemia regularly, then it is important to see your doctor to determine the underlying cause and develop a determined plan for this condition.
Here are some additional tips for managing reactive hypoglycemia:
- If you have diabetes, then contact your doctor to adjust your medicine as needed.
- Talk with your doctor about whether the medicines you are taking are contributing to the symptoms.
- Keep a food diary to track your symptoms and identify the food items that are responsible for hypoglycemia.
Types of hypoglycemia:
There are different categories of hypoglycemia.
Fasting hypoglycemia occurs after a period of not eating food often overnight.
Reactive hypoglycemia, as mentioned above, happens a few hours after eating, especially after having a heavy meal of carbohydrates.
This type is less common, and the solutions for this problem are still being searched. If you feel any symptoms after your meal, it doesn’t mean you have hypoglycemia.
If you ever get confused about this system, you must go to a medical professional to determine the cause and take action accordingly.
Why do sugar crashes happen?
- When you eat large amounts of crabs then, they turn into sugars in your blood.
- Insulin plays a major role in helping your body to use that sugar.
- With reactive hypoglycemia, your body starts releasing too much amount of insulin.
- This causes your blood sugar to drop too much and leads to a sugar crash.
How does lifestyle impact reactive hypoglycemia?
- Stress triggers some hormones that make it harder for insulin to work properly. Depression and anxiety can lead to big changes in blood sugar levels.
- Chronic stress also keeps your body on high alert and can be the reason for disrupting the normal blood sugar process.
- Sometimes, when you feel tired, you might crave sugary foods, and this can cause hypoglycemia.
- Exercise or physical activities can be beneficial by improving how cells respond to insulin.
- You should keep monitoring your blood sugar level before, during, and after workouts. This can be beneficial for improving your blood sugar regulation.
- Find those activities through which you can reduce your stress level. By doing meditation, yoga, and exercise help you to reduce anxiety or any stress in your mind.
- Sometimes, when you do intense amounts of physical activity, it can drop your blood sugar level too low. This can happen if you haven’t eaten your meal properly.
- Consistent sleep can be beneficial for maintaining glucose more efficiently.
Conclusion:
Reactive hypoglycemia is characterized by low blood sugar levels that occur after a few hours of taking a meal. Overcoming this condition involves a combination of dietary adjustment and maintaining a healthy body. You must have regular meals, modification of your lifestyle, and consistent monitoring.
Regular exercise, prioritizing complex carbohydrates, and having a good sleep cycle help to stabilize blood sugar levels.