hypoglycemia
This fact sheet covers thehypoglycemia dite reaction (or reactive), which can affect people non-diabetic. For more information on hypoglycemia linked to diabetes, see our Diabetes fact sheet. |
From a medical point of view, the following 3 criteria must be met in an individual to be able to say that he is suffering from reactive hypoglycemia:
- of the sudden drops in energy accompanied by nervousness, tremors, craving, or other symptoms;
- a glucose, or “sugar level” in the blood, less than 3,5 millimoles per liter (mmol / l) at the time of symptoms onset;
- the disappearance of discomfort after taking sucre, like a candy or a fruit juice.
These criteria were established in the 1930s by an American surgeon who was interested in pancreatic disorders, Dr.r Allen Whipple. They also bear the name of triade de Whipple.
THEreactive hypoglycemia is a subject controversial. Many people consider themselves to have hypoglycemia, but do not meet all of its criteria. For example, they regularly go through times of fatigue, low energy and nervousness, but their blood sugar remains perfectly normal. Thus, in these cases, the doctor cannot conclude that there is hypoglycemia.
We do not haveno clear explanation on the origin of these “pseudo-hypoglycemia”. A state of panic or an excess of stress could be involved. In addition, some people’s bodies may react more strongly to a drop in blood sugar.
In medicine, the ” real »Hypoglycaemia – which meet the 3 criteria listed above – are usually diagnosed in people withglucose intolerance (a preliminary stage to diabetes), diabetes or another disease of the pancreas. Stomach surgery can also cause hypoglycemia, but this is rather rare.
However, whether it is true hypoglycemia or “pseudo-hypoglycemia”, symptoms are controlled and prevented in the same way, notably through various changes in the eating habits.
Better understand blood sugar Le glucose provides organs with their main source of energy. It comes from the digestion of sugars contained in food. They are called carbohydrates, carbohydrates or carbohydrates. Desserts, fruits and cereal products (rice, pasta and breads) are full of them. Blood sugar normal on an empty stomach (that is to say after 8 hours without eating), for a person without diabetes, is between 3,5 mmol / l and 7,0 mmol / l. After a meal, it can rise to 7,8 mmol / l. Between meals, the body must make sure that there is enough glucose circulating in the blood to supply the organs with a source of energy. It’s the liver which supplies this glucose, either by synthesizing it or by releasing the glucose that it stores in the form of glycogen. Muscles also contain glycogen, but this cannot be used to restore blood sugar levels that are too low. Blood sugar is controlled by several hormones. THE’ insulin secreted after a meal lowers blood sugar, while the glucagon, growth hormone,adrénaline and cortisol make it go up. All of these hormones are finely tuned so that the circulating glucose level is relatively constant, even when fasting. |
Who is affected?
People who suffer fromhypoglycemia are generally women in their twenties or thirties. Since this condition is not considered a disease, there are no reliable statistics on the number of people affected.
Consequences
Most of the time, reactive hypoglycemia is mild and goes away on its own or after eating foods that provide blood. glucose to the body. There are then no serious consequences.
Diagnostic
Once the condition that triggers the symptoms is discovered, the doctor may ask the patient to measure your blood sugar before and after a symptomatic period.
People who have at their disposal a blood glucose meter (glucometer) can use it. Otherwise, the blood sugar is taken using a blotting paper test (Glucoval), available in some private laboratories.
If the blood sugar is abnormal, the doctor will do a complete health check in order to find the cause. When the doctor suspects that the person has glucose intolerance or diabetes, further blood sugar tests are done.