As part of regular preventive examinations, a study is carried out to determine the concentration of sugar (more precisely, glucose) in the blood. With the help of the analysis, it is possible to detect diabetes in a timely manner and take appropriate measures. The study should always be carried out independently and by persons who have previously been diagnosed with an ailment. But sometimes both sick and he althy people can have low sugar levels. In such cases, it is customary to speak of hypoglycemia. This condition requires immediate treatment, regardless of the severity of the symptoms. This is due to the fact that with a critical decrease in the indicator, hypoglycemic coma may occur.
Normal values for women
Currently approved by the WHO. But when interpreting the results, the doctor takes into account not only generally accepted norms. Importantthe age of the woman, her weight and diet are important. It is worth noting that the sugar level is higher in those women who suffer from obesity. In this regard, you do not need to deal with the decoding of the results obtained on your own. This can lead to erroneous conclusions.
Below in the table - blood sugar norms by age for women.
| Age, years | Indicators, mmol/l |
| 1 month - 14 years | 3, 3 to 5, 6 |
| 14 - 60 | From 4, 1 to 5, 9 |
| 61 - 90 | From 4, 6 to 6, 4 |
| 91 and older | From 4, 2 to 6, 7 |
As can be seen from the table, with age, the norm increases.
It is worth considering the fact that the concentration of glucose in the blood rises after eating and can be about 7 mmol / l. In this regard, it is not recommended to conduct a study after a meal, it should be carried out on an empty stomach.
Pregnant women have a pronounced restructuring of the body. During the gestation period, the norm indicators vary between 3, 3-6, 6 mmol / l.
Regular values for men
Doctors say that men with excellent he alth have nothing to worry about. Their sugar levels rarely deviate from the norm. However, for preventive purposes, the study is also included in the list of mandatory medical examinations.
Below in the table - blood sugar norms by age formen.
| Age, years | Indicators, mmol/l |
| 18 - 20 | 3, 3 to 5, 4 |
| 21 - 50 | 3, 4 to 5, 5 |
| 51 - 60 | 3.5 to 5.7 |
| 61 - 70 | 3.5 to 6.5 |
| 71 and older | 3, 6 to 7 |
Deviations from the norm can be affected by physical activity, testosterone surges, and being under stress. The physician must take these factors into account when interpreting the results.
Low Blood Sugar: Adult Causes
Hypoglycemia is a pathological condition characterized by a deviation of the indicator from the norm in a smaller direction. It is customary to talk about it when the sugar level drops to 3.3 mmol / l. Permissible value on a glucometer - up to 3.5 mmol / l.
Information about why blood sugar is low can be provided by an endocrinologist or therapist. But for this, you must first undergo a comprehensive diagnosis.
Main causes of low blood sugar in adults:
- Prolonged fasting, low-calorie diet (less than 1300 kcal per day).
- Incorrect medication intake for diabetes. The active components of medicines help to reduce the concentration of glucose in the blood. Often a person gets used to the manifestations of hypoglycemia and simply becomes insensitive to it.
- Presence of insulinoma. This is a tumor located inpancreas and produce insulin. Against the background of neoplasm activity, low blood sugar is always diagnosed. In an adult, it can even be 1 mmol / l.
- Frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages against the background of the progression of liver pathologies.
- Heart and kidney failure.
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Genetic predisposition.
In addition, a recent surgical intervention in the organs of the digestive system can be the cause of low blood sugar in an adult.
Symptoms in women
Clinical manifestations may have varying degrees of severity. Symptoms of low blood sugar in women include:
- Excessive sweating.
- Unreasonable anxiety.
- Aggression towards others.
- Pale skin.
- Hypertonicity of muscle tissue.
- Tachycardia.
- Involuntary muscle trembling.
- High blood pressure.
- Dilated pupils.
- General weakness.
- Nausea, often turning into vomiting.
- Permanent feeling of hunger.
- Frequent episodes of dizziness.
- Impaired consciousness.
- Episodes of short-term amnesia.
Doctors say that, regardless of the underlying cause, low blood sugar in an adult woman is more pronounced if she suffers from pathologies of the endocrine system. In addition, severe symptoms are observedduring pregnancy and menopause.
Symptoms in men
In the representatives of the stronger sex, the clinical picture is rather poor and may indicate the presence of a large number of diseases.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia in men:
- Frequent headache episodes.
- Increased degree of fatigue.
- High heart rate.
- Convulsions.
- Delayed response.
- Nervous excitement.
Most men attribute these symptoms to fatigue and do not seek medical attention, thereby risking their own he alth.
Diagnosis
As mentioned above, if there are warning signs, you should contact a therapist or endocrinologist. Only a doctor will be able to make a correct diagnosis and, upon confirmation of hypoglycemia, provide information regarding how to normalize blood sugar in an adult.
After taking a history and performing a physical examination, the specialist will issue a referral for a clinical blood test. Biological material can be both venous and capillary fluid connective tissue. The process of its collection is standard and has no specific features.
The attending physician should also deal with the interpretation of the analysis for sugar in an adult. This is due to the fact that the specialist during the interpretation must take into account many factors.
In order for the result to be as accurate as possible, it is necessary to follow the rules of preparation: do not eat 8-10 hours before sampling the biomaterial, do notsubject the body to high-intensity physical activity for 2 days, do not smoke for 1 hour, do not drink alcohol-containing drinks for 48 hours. In addition, the doctor must be informed about taking certain medications.
People suffering from diabetes can conduct a study on their own using a glucometer.
It is important to remember that, regardless of the severity of the symptoms of low blood sugar in an adult, treatment of a pathological condition should not be delayed. This is due to the fact that ignoring the disease can lead to hypoglycemic coma.
First Aid
Pathology is not always accompanied by mild symptoms. There is such a thing as an attack of hypoglycemia. This is a condition in which a person's well-being deteriorates sharply and often he loses consciousness.
Seizure symptoms:
- Convulsions.
- Disorientation in space.
- Dizziness.
- Deterioration of vision.
In this case, you need to take a glucose tablet as soon as possible, eat a candy or drink any drink containing sugar (a large amount of it in packaged juices). Individuals who have only recently been diagnosed with diabetes should carry them with them at all times. This is due to the fact that at the initial stage of treatment, signs of hypoglycemia can often disturb.
In severe cases, the person may lose consciousness. In this case, you need to call an ambulance as soon as possible. Medics originallyadminister glucose solution to the victim. The rate of its intake is strictly controlled, it is important that the indicator is kept within 5-10 mmol / l. After hospitalization, a comprehensive diagnosis is carried out. It is on its results that further tactics of patient management depend.
Treatment
It is important to remember that hypoglycemia is not an independent disease, but a symptom. And the treatment directly depends on the root cause of its occurrence.
When an adult has low blood sugar, a comprehensive diagnosis is required, including both laboratory and instrumental types of research. Only on the basis of its results, the doctor will be able to draw up the most effective treatment regimen.
For example, when insulinoma is detected, surgical intervention is indicated. If it turned out to be ineffective, conservative treatment is prescribed. Its purpose is to suppress insulin production. If treatment of the tumor is unsuccessful, symptomatic therapy is carried out.
Dietary adjustment shown in each case.
Features of food
Diet is the most important stage of treatment, if it is not followed, drug therapy will be ineffective. Experts advise including proteins in the diet, against the background of which the process of absorption of carbohydrates slows down, so that blood sugar levels remain stable.
The menu must be present:
- Meat and lean fish.
- Dairy.
- Nuts.
- Beans.
- Fig.
- Whole grain bread.
- Pasta made from durum wheat.
- Starchy vegetables and fruits.
Food should be fractional. The maximum interval between meals is 3 hours. The size of one serving should not exceed 200 g.
How dangerous is hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar is a pathological condition that poses a danger not only to he alth, but also to human life.
Ignoring the signs of hypoglycemia can lead to the following complications:
- Cerebral dysfunctions (particularly dementia).
- Worsening of the course of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Often the consequence is a stroke or heart attack.
- Hypoglycemic coma.
- Retinal hemorrhages.
In addition, low blood sugar negatively affects the development of the fetus during pregnancy. In this regard, women during the gestational period should not forget about the need to regularly submit biomaterial for analysis.
It is worth noting that with proper treatment, the risk of developing the above complications is minimized.
Prevention
To prevent the development of hypoglycemia, it is enough to follow a few simple rules:
- Follow the principles of a therapeutic diet. It is strictly forbidden to take long breaks between meals (4 hours is the maximum allowable period).
- He althy people monitor blood glucose levels twice a year, patients with diabetes -constantly.
- Strictly adhere to the dosage when administering insulin (if prescribed by your doctor).
- Caramels, sweet biscuits, crackers, a small pack of juice, etc. should always be with you. With their timely use, you can quickly stop a hypoglycemic attack. This is especially true for people who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes.
- Correctly organize the daily routine. It is important to remember that you need to get regular and adequate rest.
- Avoid getting into stressful situations.
In addition, it is necessary to give up bad habits: smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs. This is the only way to prevent the development of hypoglycemia.
In conclusion
Low blood sugar is a pathological condition that is not an independent disease. Hypoglycemia is always a symptom that indicates the development of an ailment in the body. If you have any warning signs, you should contact your doctor or endocrinologist. The doctor will conduct diagnostic measures and provide information on how to increase blood sugar in an adult.
