Spontaneous Hypoglycaemia

Some people have a tendency to develop low blood sugar levels which can cause extreme weakness. In a normal person, fasting blood sugar levels are 70 to 100mg/100ml and 2 hours after food, blood sugar levels are between 100 to 140mg/l00ml.

Some of these persons get up in the morning with headache and weakness which gets better with tea. Two hours after breakfast, they again get the feeling of Ghabrahat, palpitation, sweating and restlessness (Funny Turns) and these symptoms persist till the person eats something. These symptoms are due to low blood glucose-medical name is hypoglycemia. Blood sugar level are usually less than 60mg/l00ml.

Many people may be suffering from this condition but they are rarely diagnosed. Most of the time these patients are diagnosed having heart problems and referred to cardiologist or referred to psychiatrist for the treatment of depressions or anxiety.

If the blood sugar is tested during these episodes, it would be below the normal range, i.e. usually less then 60mg/l00ml.

Large number of otherwise normal people occasionally become pale, weak, sweaty (sweating) when meals are due and such people report benefit from advice to take regular snacks between meals. True hypoglycemia may devdop after food in the presence of alcohol which stimulates 'B' cells of pancreas gland to produce exaggerated response to carbohydrates. Persons who consume alchoholic beverages like Beer or other alcoholic drink in place of lunch are potentially at risk of developing hypoglycaem ia.

The feelings people have when they are having low blood sugar are due to two things. First, the Brain itself cannot work properly when the blood glucose fall below 55 mgllOO ml and secondly, the body reacts to low blood glucose by producing hormones (mainly adrenalin) which increases blood glucose.

When Brain is affected, it causes

• Weakness of legs
• Doublelblurred vision
• Confusion
• Headache
• Drowsiness

Adrenalin hormone-causes

• Sweating
• Rapid heart beat
• Feeling of panic and anxiety

Most people find it hard to describe how they feel but the proof is that the blood glucose is low.

What can cause hypoglycaemia

Common cause

• People who take medicines for control of Diabetes
• People who take anti-malarials or pain killers frequently
• Alcohol can cause hypo glycaemia specially in the early morning if food was not taken along with drinks in the night.

How to Prevent

Most important aspect is correction of diet. Modification of eating habits may help in resolving this problem. Change in lifestyle and behavioural modification may also help in correcting it.

One should avoid concentrated sugars/carbohydrates because 2 hours after consuming these preparations there is again rebound hypoglycaemia. By using concentrated carbohydrate preparations there is over production of insulin which further reduces blood sugar levels.

What to do

1. Avoid refined sugar, Le. Sugar, Jaggery, Honey, Jam, chocolates, Sweet Potatoes and Biscuits.
2. Can use complex carbohydrates which include fruits, cereals and vegetables like papaya, cereals, pulses, pumpkin etc.
3. Food with high fibre content can be used. Beans and peas may be consumed frequently.
4. Frequent small meals may help in keeping blood sugar levels in normal range. Regular exercise especially aerobic ones will help in preventing extra weight gain.
5. Alcohol should be avoided. If one can't resist this, he should not take more than one or two drinks (30 ml each), that too over a period of 3 to 4 hours time along with snacks followed by meals/dessert.
6. Smoking during these episodes should be avoided as it may increase the problem by increasing heart beat, sweating and trembling.
7. A void sweets, ice cream and chocolates as they will increase weight.
8. Most persons take sugar, glucose, sweets to get rid of this problem but it rebounces/relapses because there is great insulin release which produces hypoglycaemia. So one should avoid sugar mixers. Persons having symptoms of low blood sugar should avoid religious fastings.