Blood sugar is involved in the primary metabolic processes of metabolism in the body. Its main function is to supply energy to the cells of the body and participate in the synthesis of adesinotriphosphate acid, which is later required for lipid metabolism.
The human body gets sugar from almost all foods. The level of this substance in the blood is recommended to be monitored, even if there is no predisposing factor to the development of diabetes mellitus or another disease. Even with a he althy lifestyle, changes in sugar levels are possible. Its level can fluctuate from physical exertion. The main thing is that in such situations the brain suffers, a person feels fatigue, in advanced cases, fainting and coma can occur.
General information
There are many reasons for low blood sugar, but nutrition comes first. In medicinea condition in which the sugar level drops is called hypoglycemia.
The increase in sugar always occurs after a meal, at this time the pancreas is intensively working, there is an active production of insulin. As soon as the hormone is converted into energy, the sugar level immediately decreases. If the sugar is below the “normal” mark, then this does not happen. The result is fatigue and lethargy. Against this background, diabetes can develop.
Normal glucose levels (fasting) 3, 3-5, 5 mmol/l.
Possible causes
First of all, malnutrition leads to a decrease in blood sugar levels. This refers not only to fast food, but also to an excessive passion for flour and sweet foods. Large breaks between meals also lead to deterioration. Passion for alcohol and smoking. Neoplasms on the pancreas.
In addition, other provoking factors can be identified:
- taking certain medications;
- obesity;
- kidney failure;
- idiopathic diseases;
- disorders in the hormonal system and liver;
- early pregnancy;
- heavy exercise.
How does it manifest?
The main symptom of low blood sugar is hunger. This is the first bell that there is a lack of glucose in the body. And the easiest way to eliminate this condition in the presence of stage 1 hypoglycemia is to eat a product with a high carbohydrate content. Accordingly, it is not recommended to starve,but eat small portions after a certain amount of time, and then there will be no sharp fluctuations in glucose levels.
Quite often, the symptoms are very mild and a person blames his fatigue and aggressive state on the rhythm of life. However, if symptoms occur on rest days, a check-up should be performed.
Dizziness
The next symptom of low blood sugar, which is quite common, is dizziness. This is due to the fact that against the background of a lack of glucose in the vessels of the brain, the normal process of blood circulation is disrupted. Oxygen starvation sets in, and the body itself is not able to produce the required amount of energy.
Along with dizziness, a person may experience disorientation in space and trembling in the body. A wobbly gait appears and it seems that the person is about to fall.
Weakness and lethargy
Symptoms of low blood sugar can be lethargy and weakness. The mood can constantly change, from tearfulness to aggression, which has no reason. In very severe cases, a person may stop paying attention to the world around him and even fall into a coma.
Therefore, it is very important to control blood sugar levels when nervous, perhaps it is the lack of glucose that affects the psycho-emotional state.
Heart problems
Hypoglycemia can cause tachycardia, increased heart rate. If you don't raiseglucose levels, then pain in the heart can join, blood pressure gradually decreases. In such situations, if nothing is done, a heart attack or heart failure may occur.
Thirst and sweating
Another symptom of low blood sugar is thirst and excessive sweating. A person can drink a lot of fluids, sweat a lot, and at the same time constantly feel thirsty. It seems that everything is dry in the mouth, it is difficult to swallow. However, after the attack stops, as a rule, the symptoms go away completely.
Night attacks
The most dangerous situation is if hypoglycemia occurs at night. Indeed, during sleep, it is quite difficult to adjust the level of sugar in the blood, only if the symptoms do not make you wake up. This condition manifests itself in the release of sticky sweat and disturbing sleep. A person may have nightmares, make strange noises, and even sleepwalk.
The situation is especially dangerous when a person has consumed alcohol the day before. Alcohol poisoning and hypoglycemia have fairly similar symptoms.
Vision problems
According to some reviews, a decrease in blood sugar in people is accompanied by eye disorders. A person sees the surrounding objects blurry, the eyeballs hurt, it seems that the shell is very dry. At such moments, visual acuity is sharply reduced and even photophobia may occur.
If there is a history of retinopathy, then a decrease in glucose levels can lead to a deterioration in the condition of the eyefundus or retina.
Features of the condition in women and the elderly
Symptoms of low blood sugar in these categories are more pronounced. The older generation attribute symptoms to chronic diseases, and this is a huge risk of not providing timely assistance and, as a result, a heart attack or stroke, coma.
In women, a drop in sugar levels can occur during the menstrual cycle or during menopause, due to hormonal changes in the body. But in order to determine whether the condition is related to the level of sugar or not, you should pay attention not only to mood, but also to other symptoms:
- feeling hot all over the body;
- flushing;
- pale skin changing to redness;
- increased blood loss in the menstrual cycle.
These symptoms may indicate that the body does not have enough glucose.
What is hypoglycemic syndrome?
With a sharp decrease in glucose levels, hypoglycemic syndrome sets in, and if help is not provided in a timely manner, then loss of consciousness occurs.
Symptoms of a sharp drop in blood sugar can be divided into 4 phases:
- Severe feeling of hunger against the background of general weakness, low blood pressure and a radical change in mood.
- In the second phase, an unbearable feeling of hunger sets in, cold sweat appears, the skin becomes pale. Tremor and tachycardia may begin.
- At such moments, a person enters a state of euphoria, he is uncontrollable, very excited,loses his sense of fear and refuses help.
- The last phase is characterized by trembling in the body, convulsions, loss of visual acuity. As a result, fainting occurs and then coma.
In the first phase, the symptoms of a sharp decrease in blood sugar are practically not dangerous and are quickly eliminated. But at other stages of the hypoglycemic syndrome, the brain and other organs suffer, they lack oxygen, hence fainting and coma.
Treatment
You can get rid of the problem only after the cause of the decrease in glucose levels is identified. If diabetes mellitus is diagnosed, then insulin should be monitored, if there are problems with the pancreas, then they must be eliminated, and so on. But the cause can be identified only after a complete examination. However, it is best to know how to help yourself at home to prevent fainting.
Help at home
When lowering blood sugar, folk remedies can help fix the situation fairly quickly.
The easiest way is to eat 2-3 sugar cubes or 2 teaspoons, or you can eat a couple of spoons of honey or sweets. Lemonade or another sweet drink will quickly increase blood sugar levels, 200 milliliters will be enough. Fruit juice has the same properties.
After the removal of symptoms, if the cause is unknown, then you should consult a doctor. If the reason is to follow a strict diet, then you will have to abandon it. In cases where sugar is reduced due to exhausting physical labor, it is better to change your lifestyle or work. That is, there is no general rulehow to get rid of hypoglycemia, each case, like the body, is individual.
What to do if you have an attack?
Symptoms in the syndrome are gaining momentum very quickly, so it is very important to provide assistance in time to prevent hypoglycemic coma.
First of all, the person needs to be put to bed and their legs slightly raised. Then immediately call an ambulance. If the patient has tight clothing, it must be removed or unbuttoned. If this happened indoors, it is better to open the windows so that there is air access.
If you do not know what diseases a person has, then you do not need to give him any medicine to lower blood sugar, in extreme cases, you can give sweets or a sweet drink.
In cases where a person has lost consciousness, it must be turned on its side so that the tongue does not sunk or there is no asphyxia with vomiting. Sugar can be put on the cheek. When fainting, you can enter 1 milliliter of glucagon.
Food
With a problem such as hypoglycemia, nutrition suggests an increased intake of complex carbohydrates. Products to lower blood sugar:
- vegetables (potatoes, corn, peas);
- durum wheat pasta;
- whole grain bread.
We'll have to give up alcohol, animal fats, muffins and semolina. It can be consumed in limited quantities, but it is better to completely abandon smoked meats, spices and spicy foods. The same rule must be followed whenconsumption of sweets, honey, cookies, sugary drinks and juices. Be sure to avoid sugary drinks with gas. Caffeine is also not a recommended drink, as it is one of the factors in the development of hypoglycemia.
It is necessary to introduce foods high in fiber into the diet, as it prevents the body from quickly absorbing glucose.
Meat and fish should be of low-fat varieties, and dishes from them are best done by steaming or baking. It is recommended to eat fresh and dried fruits, but with a small amount of sugar.
The blood sugar diet is designed so that there are five meals throughout the day.
Traditional Therapy
The doctor may recommend the use of the monosaccharide dextrose. In a hospital, as a rule, glucose-containing drugs are administered intravenously. In extreme cases, when they do not bring the glucose level to normal, the hormone glucagon is injected intramuscularly. And in the most extreme cases, when it is impossible to increase sugar in any way, Hydrocartisone or adrenaline is introduced.
What does traditional medicine offer?
Naturally, even herbal treatment is better to coordinate with your doctor so as not to aggravate your he alth.
The easiest and most affordable, effective way is to use a rosehip decoction. The fruits of the plant are placed in a thermos and poured with boiling water, infused for 1.5-2 hours. Drink tea to lower blood sugar for 3-4 months. Honey or sugar can be added to teasmall quantity.
You can make a more complex decoction. It will require:
- chamomile;
- rosehip flowers;
- St. John's wort.
All ingredients are mixed in equal parts. Two tablespoons are placed in a thermos and filled with half a liter of boiling water. It is necessary to insist this mixture for 2 hours. Consume ¼ before each meal.
You can use leuzea tincture, which is easy to get at any pharmacy. With a regular drop in sugar after eating, you should use the tincture regularly. 10-20 drops are diluted in a glass of water.
Remember that hypoglycemia can be treated quickly enough if you see a doctor in time. However, ignoring the problem will inevitably lead to the development of other pathologies, people with low blood sugar levels often get into an accident, since orientation in space is significantly reduced during an attack.
