Dear readers,
M.B. is an 18-year-old student from Kingston 10, who says she suffers from dizziness and fainting spells from time to time, which, her doctor told her, are due to low blood sugar.
When she was tested, her blood sugar was just at the lower end of normal. In the mornings when she stands for long periods at school, she often feels faint, drowsy and sweaty, and has to sit down or else she will fall. Recently, she has been trying to eat breakfast in the mornings, as she used to go without breakfast, instead of drinking some juice. The fainting feeling does not occur quite as often as before but she is still fearful of fainting at times. M.B. asks LIFELINE how best to prevent low blood sugar.
Diabetics
Low-blood sugar or hypoglycaemia is most commonly seen in diabetics on insulin treatment when an imbalance between dietary intake and the insulin dosage occurs, or in individuals who consume excessive amounts of alcohol.
Blood sugar levels can fall dangerously low in these people, resulting in dizziness, headache, sweating, loss of coordination, seizure and coma. The type of low blood sugar that M.B. refers to is less serious and tends to be related to dietary habits. It is often caused by eating too little or too much sugar.
When the pancreas (a gland in the abdomen) detects sugar, it produces insulin to regulate the sugar in the blood. In people who tend to be hypoglycaemic, the pancreas produces more insulin than is needed, resulting in a rapid fall in the blood sugar level and an abnormally low level of glucose (sugar) circulating in the blood. When this occurs, the person experiences some or all of the following symptoms:
. Dizziness
. Weakness
. Sweating
. Tremors
. Cold sweats
. Loss of mental focus
. Blurred vision
. Fatigue
. Anxiety or depression
If the low sugar levels are not
corrected, the brain releases hormones, which stimulates the liver to release glucose (sugar). These stimulating hormones can affect the body otherwise, producing symptoms similar to a panic attack. At times, low blood sugar is a symptom of an undetected ailment. Thyroid and pituitary gland disorder, kidney and liver disease and pancreatic disease can all manifest as low blood sugar. People who are undergoing high levels of stress and those with depressed immune systems can also experience symptoms of hypoglycaemia.
Other disorders
Intestinal disorders can also cause low blood sugar. Because of this, a physician should investigate the individual with low blood sugar to make sure that there is no serious disease process, which could be causing it.
Low blood sugar is usually diagnosed by the five-hour glucose tolerance test which can be requested by the physician and tested at most
medical laboratories.
During an episode of low blood sugar, a sweet drink should be ingested immediately followed by a more complex carbohydrate source such as a sandwich.
The basic meal plan should include fish, poultry, fresh vegetables, fibre and grains.
Persons with functional hypoglycaemia should eat at least six small, balanced meals everyday.
Consumption of natural sugars such as honey and molasses should be united and refined sugars should be avoided completely. Even artificial sweeteners should be avoided, along with alcohol and caffeine.
Most cases of low blood sugar are caused by eating a diet with too much refined sugar. Eating a well-balanced meal, which avoids refined sugar, is the best way to prevent the symptoms.
M.B. should have a complete check-up with a physician, including a check on her blood pressure and blood count, as a tendency towards low blood pressure and anaemia (weak blood) can also cause dizziness and faint feelings.
Write Lifeline
P.O. Box 1731
Kingston 8
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