Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia
When the blood-glucose drop to below normal levels, hypoglycemia is the result. Though uncommon, people who do not have diabetes can have hypoglycemia, caused by medication, diseases, tumours, or hormone/enzyme deficiencies. The symptoms are similar to diabetes-related hypoglycemia, which may include hunger, shakiness, sweating, light-headedness, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, speaking difficulties, and weakness. There are two types of non-diabetic hypoglycemia: Reactive hypoglycemia - also called postprandial hypoglycemia, occurs within four hours after meals. Fasting hypoglycemia - also called postabsorptive hypoglycemia, often related to an underlying disease. Reactive Hypoglycemia Diagnosis Laboratory blood plasma analysis from a blood sample taken while having symptoms. A personal blood glucose meter cannot be used to diagnose reactive hypoglycemia. The doctor may ask about the signs and symptoms. See if the symptoms ease when the blood sugar returns to above 70 mg/dL after eating. The oral glucose test is no longer used, as it can actually trigger hypoglycemic symptoms. Relief from the symptoms after eating and a blood-glucose level below 70 mg/dL at the time of the symptoms constitutes a confirmation of reactive hypoglycemia. Causes Debatable causes Sensitivity to the hormone epinephrine. Deficiencies in glucagon secretion. Certain causes, though uncommon Gastric surgery - causing the rapid passage of food into the small intestine. Rare enzyme deficiencies such as hereditary fructose intolerance. Treatment Small meals every three hours. Being physically active. Eating foods high in fiber. Avoiding foods high in sugar, especially on an empty stomach. A low-carbohydrate diet. Fasting Hypoglycemia Diagnosis Fasting hypoglycemia is diagnosed when the bloo Continue reading >>
Hypoglycemia (non-diabetic)
Definition Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a rare ailment generally found in those who have diabetes, pancreatic tumors, adrenal or pituitary gland failure, liver disease, or who have had stomach surgery. Description Blood sugar (glucose) comes mostly from simple and complex carbohydrates and proteins. The blood carries the glucose to be used as fuel to your brain, organs, muscles and other tissues. The excess is then stored in the liver. Blood sugar levels are usually in 70-80 mg/100 cc of blood before eating, and 120 to 140 in the first hour after a meal. The high level prompts the pancreas to secrete insulin that enables the blood sugar to be used as energy. Three to four hours after eating, the insulin will cause the blood sugar levels to drop below the original levels. The adrenal gland takes this as a cue to release adrenaline that inhibits a further drop. When hormonal responses are disrupted, blood sugar levels drop and the above-named symptoms may be experienced. Causes Hypoglycemia can be caused by endocrine, renal, or liver disorders, or certain medications in diabetics. It also can be caused by excess production of insulin by the body and occurs sometimes after eating, stomach surgery, alcohol use, and certain medications. Symptoms The symptoms most people associate with hypoglycemia are likely to be the body’s hormonal reaction to prevent hypoglycemia from occurring. These symptoms can include mood swings, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, headaches, palpitations, sugar cravings, inability to concentrate and others. Diagnosis Your physician will take a complete medical history and do a physical exam. Blood tests will most likely be necessary to try to determine the specific cause of the hypoglycemia. Treatment Discuss your situation with your physician Continue reading >>
How To Treat Low Blood Sugar: 7 Tricks Every Diabetic Should Know
What causes hypoglycemia? iStock/Erna Vader Taking certain diabetes medications, skipping meals, not consuming enough carbs, and even too much exercise can throw your blood sugar off balance and cause low blood sugar. Insomnia and excessive alcohol consumption have also been linked to low glucose levels. When blood sugar dips to a level that's too low to sustain normal functioning—in most people, that's below 70 mg/dl—it results in a hypo attack with varying symptoms depending on its severity. People who have recurring bouts of low blood sugar may have no warning signs at all, explains Michael Bergman, MD, endocrinologist and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. This is known as hypoglycemic unawareness; the longer you’ve had diabetes, the more common it is. On the milder end of the low blood sugar spectrum, you may feel hungry, nauseated, jittery, nervous, and have cold and clammy-feeling skin. Many people also describe the feeling that their heart is racing or pounding. Low blood sugar can happen at night, too, causing nightmares and night sweats. Moderate low blood sugar can cause behavioral changes, making you fearful, confused, or angry. It can also trigger blurry vision, slurred speech, and problems with balance and walking. A layperson may even mistake you for being drunk. If left untreated, severe low blood sugar can cause loss of consciousness, seizures, irreversible brain or heart damage, coma, or even death. Here are first aid tips to handle a diabetic emergency. iStock/Geber86 It goes like this: If your blood sugar reading is low (below 70 mg/dl), eat or drink something equal to 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate (4 ounces of juice). Even if you feel okay, don't wait for the symptoms of hypoglycemia to kick in. Rest for 15 mi Continue reading >>
Nondiabetic Hypoglycemia
What is non-diabetic hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia is the condition when your blood glucose (sugar) levels are too low. It happens to people with diabetes when they have a mismatch of medicine, food, and/or exercise. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia, a rare condition, is low blood glucose in people who do not have diabetes. There are two kinds of non-diabetic hypoglycemia: Reactive hypoglycemia, which happens within a few hours of eating a meal Fasting hypoglycemia, which may be related to a disease Glucose is the main source of energy for your body and brain. It comes from what we eat and drink. Insulin, a hormone, helps keep blood glucose at normal levels so your body can work properly. Insulin’s job is to help glucose enter your cells where it’s used for energy. If your glucose level is too low, you might not feel well. What causes non-diabetic hypoglycemia? The two kinds of non-diabetic hypoglycemia have different causes. Researchers are still studying the causes of reactive hypoglycemia. They know, however, that it comes from having too much insulin in the blood, leading to low blood glucose levels. Types of nondiabetic hypoglycemia Reactive hypoglycemia Having pre-diabetes or being at risk for diabetes, which can lead to trouble making the right amount of insulin Stomach surgery, which can make food pass too quickly into your small intestine Rare enzyme deficiencies that make it hard for your body to break down food Fasting hypoglycemia Medicines, such as salicylates (such as aspirin), sulfa drugs (an antibiotic), pentamidine (to treat a serious kind of pneumonia), quinine (to treat malaria) Alcohol, especially with binge drinking Serious illnesses, such as those affecting the liver, heart, or kidneys Low levels of certain hormones, such as cortisol, growth hormone, glu Continue reading >>
What Are The Symptoms Of High Blood Sugar In Non-diabetics?
Quite simply, high blood sugar induces similar symptoms whether the patient is diabetic or not. Being diabetic only increases the likelihood of having high blood sugar. The non-diabetic patient has the physiological mechanisms of blood sugar level regulation intact. But with enough input of sugar (say, by eating a ridiculous amount of Snickers snackbars), even a non-diabetic will have their blood sugar relulation mechanisms overwhelmed, inducing high blood sugar and the corresponding symptoms: dizziness, headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, bizarre behavior, passing out, coma and, eventually, death (in degrees of hyperglicemia severity). Continue reading >>
Hypoglycemia Without Diabetes
Normally, hypoglycemia, also referred to as low blood sugar, is found in diabetic patients who take too much insulin or too much of their diabetic medications. Both type 1 diabetics and type 2 diabetics can suffer from hypoglycemia; however, it is seen more commonly in type 1 diabetics who use insulin. Hypoglycemia can be found in non-diabetics, however, and is due to many reasons. The Definition of Low Blood Sugar Low blood sugar is defined as a blood sugar level below a certain level, usually about 60-70 mg/dL. You may have experienced it by feeling extremely hungry or weak. It can occur after exercising a lot without having eaten something to sustain you prior to exercise. This type of hypoglycemia is common and has probably been experienced by everyone at some time in their lives. Low blood sugar can also be a medical problem unrelated to exercise. This type of hypoglycemia results when the level of blood glucose in the bloodstream is too low to provide energy to the body. Causes of Hypoglycemia in the absence of Diabetes You can have hypoglycemia even if you aren’t diabetic and aren’t taking insulin. Common causes of hypoglycemia without diabetes include the following: Surgery on the stomach Use of alcohol Metabolic disorders Problems with the pancreas Problems with the kidneys Problems with the liver Certain medications Symptoms of Hypoglycemia in the absence of Diabetes The symptoms you experience from low blood sugar levels depend on how low the blood glucose level decreases. There are a few different types of hypoglycemia, including these: Mild hypoglycemia. When you have mild hypoglycemia, you can feel hungry or perhaps nauseous. You may have a rapid heart rate and may feel nervous or jittery. You may develop sweatiness and your skin might turn clammy and Continue reading >>
Non Diabetic Hypoglycemia – Know The Difference
You don’t have to be diabetic to experience hypoglycemia H ypoglycemia or low blood sugar is not a condition exclusive to diabetics. If you exercise too much without eating enough you might easily have hypoglycemia. Non diabetic hypoglycemia is different and it may be caused by a variety of reasons, some of which are associated with diabetes. If you are diabetic, your know that maintaining ideal blood sugars levels is not an easy task and if you use insulin it’s even more difficult. Diabetics have trouble controlling blood glucose levels because they are always leveraging, food, exercise, and insulin or oral drugs. If you use too much insulin you must eat enough or you risk having hypoglycemia. Common non diabetic hypoglycemia Non diabetic hypoglycemia can also be seen as a common and widespread condition which is not associated with disease processes but only caused by a diet rich in high glycemic index foods such as simple carbohydrates and simple sugars. If you have a strong cup of coffee and a small piece of white bread with jam for breakfast you will bottom out at about 10:30 or before lunch. If you continue to eat simple carbohydrates throughout the day you might run into low blood sugar episodes. You feel hungry, tired and irritable and have difficulty concentrating. This can be easily be remedied by changing the diet to less simple carbohydrates and more protein and fats. This is such a common occurrence most people don’t even think of it as being a problem. I used to be one of those who could not miss a meal or become hypoglycemic. If my blood sugar dropped I would become irritated and my mind would get foggy. Your body can do a good job keeping blood sugar balanced whether you eat or not. The remedy is a diet change and building of muscle mass. I changed Continue reading >>
4 Clues You Have Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is often thought about as part of diabetes, but there is also non-diabetic hypoglycemia. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia is just as equally problematic. When blood sugar is too low, the cause is not as important as realizing the impact. Some of the effects of hypoglycemia are immediate while others take time to manifest, resulting in long term deficits in your health. What is Non-Diabetic Hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia, which again is the same as low blood sugar, is most often thought about in diabetics. This group of individuals often uses medications, including insulin, to lower their glucose, which is often high. When their glucose drops too low as a result of the medication, they are considered in a hypoglycemic state. However, an entire different segment of the population deals with non-diabetic hypoglycemia. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia occurs for reasons that are almost the exact opposite of why someone would develop diabetes. While diabetes arises as a result of excess carbohydrates in the diet, non-diabetic hypoglycemia occurs from a lack of carbohydrates in the diet. Carbohydrates are essential as the preferred energy source for our body. Yes, the total amount of carbohydrate and the source should factor in, but carbohydrates are necessary. In addition to not eating enough carbohydrates, insufficient production of hormones and neurotransmitters (nervous system communicators) can lead to non-diabetic hypoglycemia. Contrary to common medical thought, this does not require the presence of a named disease of the glands that produce the chemicals that helps us keep glucose balanced. 4 Clues that You May Have Non-Diabetic Hypoglycemia Fatigue: The Number One Symptom of Non-Diabetic Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia is the same as low blood sugar. Blood Continue reading >>
Can You Have Low Blood Sugar With Type 2 Diabetes?
back to Overview Know-how Type 2 A tag-team approach on low blood sugar with type 2 diabetes. Markus recently wrote an article on our German language blog talking about low blood sugar with type 2 diabetes. The question (“can I have low blood sugar with type 2 diabetes?”) is very common, and it’s easy to see why it’s of concern. So I’ve helped Markus bring his German post to life here in English. I hope it helps! Here’s Markus: Low blood sugar In 2014, results from the DAWN2 study were announced. It was the largest study of its kind (15,000 participants) on the “fears & needs of people with diabetes and their families.” One result stood out: The gravest fears are related to low blood sugars, especially at night. Up to 69% of the participants share this fear! So! Can you have low blood sugar with type 2 diabetes? Yes! Of course! But let’s think about who exactly is at risk – and why. It’s common to think: Type 1 diabetes = at risk for lows Type 2 diabetes = not at risk for lows But that isn’t correct at all, so we should wipe it from our mind. So… what do I need to know? Maybe it’s more accurate to say that people with type 2 diabetes who take certain types of medication are more at risk for lows. We’re getting closer! But to get to the truth, we should take a look at someone without diabetes. Is it possible for them to have lows, too? Theoretically yes, especially if doing long-lasting physical activities without proper food intake. Additionally, extreme stress and binge drinking are also common causes of low blood sugar for people without diabetes. However, it’s pretty rare because as soon as BG’s drop below 80 mg/dl (4.4 mmol/L), the natural counterregulatory system kicks in, raising blood sugar back to normal levels. I’ve never exp Continue reading >>
Non-diabetes Medicines That May Lower Blood Sugar
British Columbia Specific Information Your health care provider may prescribe you non-diabetic medications, or diabetic medications, which may raise or lower your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, it is important to remember and understand which medications may affect your blood sugar levels. Examples of medications that may lower your blood sugar include: quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, mocifloxacin); pentamidine; quinine; ace inhibitors (ramapril, enalapril); and beta-blockers (atenolol, metropolol). In addition, beta-blockers may also decrease or mask the symptoms of low blood sugar. For more information, call 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse or pharmacist. Our nurses are available anytime, every day of the year; and our pharmacists are available every night from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Continue reading >>
Non-diabetes Drugs And Supplements That Affect Glucose Levels
A certified diabetes educator provides a list, and what to do to prevent a blood sugar swing caused by a new medication. The main medicine people with Type 1 diabetes take on a daily basis is insulin, but did you know that other non-diabetes-related medications can affect your blood sugar, too? This side effect can create havoc on your glucose management if you don’t adjust your insulin levels to accommodate it. sponsor Here’s a list of medications to consider: Some common medications that can increase glucose levels: Valium and Ativan (benzodiazepines) Thiazide diuretics, which are taken as blood pressure medicine The steroids cortisone, prednisone, and hydrocortisone Birth control pills Progesterone Catecholamines, which include the EpiPen and asthma inhalers Decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine Niacin Zyprexa and many other antipsychotic medications Some common medications or supplements that can cause low glucose levels include: Aspirin Asian ginseng Aloe Magnesium salicylate Quinine (This is a partial list. Diabetes in Control has created a PDF of a more complete list, which you can find by clicking here.) sponsor Each time you get a prescription for a new medication, try to read the info that comes with the medication or ask the pharmacist if they know about any effects the medicine might have on blood sugar levels. If you start to take any vitamins or herbal supplements, you should also mention these to your doctor so they can check if there are interactions. If you’ll be using a medicine long-term, talk to your doctor about its effect on glucose levels and if there is an alternative that could be taken that has no effect. If not, work on a plan with your diabetes care team to evaluate the effect and, if necessary, come up with a way to counter it. If Continue reading >>
What Is Hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia is a dangerous condition in which your blood sugar drops perilously low. Low blood sugar will most often make you feel shaky and weak. In extreme cases, you could lose consciousness and slip into a coma. People develop hypoglycemia for different reasons, but those with diabetes run the greatest risk of developing the condition. Glucose and Hypoglycemia Your body uses glucose as its main fuel source. Glucose is derived from food, and it's delivered to cells through the bloodstream. The body uses different hormones to regulate the amount of glucose in your blood. Glucagon, cortisol, and epinephrine are some hormones that help regulate glucose. Your body uses another hormone called insulin to help your cells absorb glucose and burn it for fuel. If your blood sugar level drops below a certain point, your body can develop various symptoms and sensations. For people with diabetes, this typically happens when blood sugar drops below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), although the exact level may vary from person to person. Causes of Hypoglycemia Low blood sugar often happens in people with diabetes who are using insulin or other medicines that increase insulin production or its actions. Too much insulin can make your blood glucose drop too low. Low blood sugar can happen if: Your body's supply of glucose is used up too quickly. Glucose is released into your bloodstream too slowly. There's too much insulin in your bloodstream. Hypoglycemia Symptoms Although no two people will have the exact same symptoms of low blood sugar, there are some common signs to watch out for: Sudden, intense hunger Dizziness or light-headedness Excessive sweating (often sudden and without regard to temperature) Shaking or tremors Sudden feelings of anxiety Irritability, mood swings, and Continue reading >>
Do Non Diabetics Get Hypoglycemia? All Your Non Diabetic Hypoglycaemia Questions Answered
Do non diabetics get hypoglycaemia; is a question I get asked often. So, I figured I will deal with this issue and other questions relating to non-diabetic hypoglycemia right here on this page. Feel free to use the links below to jump down the page to the specific topic but be rest assured that on this page, you will learn about: Do Non Diabetics Get Hypoglycemia? Do non diabetics experience dawn phenomenon? What is normal blood sugar levels for a non diabetic? What is low blood sugar? Should non diabetics check blood sugar? What can cause non diabetic hypoglycaemia? What is reactive hypoglycaemia and what causes reactive hypoglycaemia? What causes non-reactive (fasting) hypoglycaemia? How do you feel when your blood sugar is low? How to test for non-diabetic hypoglycaemia? Do I have non-reactive (fasting) hypoglycaemia? How to treat non diabetic hypoglycemia? Do non-diabetics get hypoglycemia? Yes, non diabetics may develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It is often thought that hypoglycemia which is the medical terminology for low blood sugar, happens only in diabetic individuals. That’s not entirely true. It is true that when it comes to neuro-linguistic programming, you hear the word, hypoglycemia and automatically, your mind flashes to a diabetic individual. At least that’s how the mind of a medical personnel works anyway. But low blood sugar events are not exclusive to diabetics. Non diabetics also suffer from hypoglycemia although it is a less common occurrence, but beware. A mis-match between the interaction of blood glucose levels and insulin, the hormone responsible for stabilising your blood sugar levels, is the origin of the non diabetic hypoglycaemia phenomenon. Non-diabetic low blood sugar can be caused by a variety of conditions which I will discuss Continue reading >>
Low Blood Sugar In Cats
The body needs glucose to maintain its energy levels, which are necessary for the body’s organs, cells and various symptoms to carry out their daily functions. If a cat’s blood sugar levels drop, most cells can absorb fatty acids from the reserve located in the liver. However, the brain is a unique organ that cannot take glucose from anywhere else in the body, other than what is carried in by the blood. Therefore, when blood sugar levels drop, the brain quickly loses vital fuel and can no longer function at full capacity, resulting in weakness, sleepiness, disorientation as well as coma. Low blood sugar in cats is a life-threatening condition, especially to juvenile kittens, so immediate professional care by a licensed veterinarian is vital. Low blood sugar in cats is a symptom of an underlying disease that is causing the feline’s blood sugar levels to drop dangerously low levels. Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, is commonly caused by diabetes, but can also be the result of other health conditions affecting the body’s blood glucose (blood sugar) regulators. The symptoms of low blood sugar in cats, even in the warning stage, are easy to detect and often unsettling to cat owners. A cat with hypoglycemia is quickly losing brain power, resulting in neurologic disorders and an increased appetite as the body relies on food consumption for an energy supply. Depending on how low the feline’s blood sugar levels have dropped, symptoms could be mild to severe. Mild Low Blood Sugar Lethargy Drowsiness Pupil dilation Tachypnea (breathing rapidly) Palpitations of the heart Nervousness Nausea Appetite increase Moderate Low Blood Sugar Poor coordination Tremors Shaking Tilting of the head Weakness Disorientation Severe Low Blood Sugar Coma Seizures Death Low blood Continue reading >>
- Abnormally High Blood Sugar]. Hypoglycemia Is A Common
What Is Hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when a person's blood sugar (glucose) levels are too low. [Compare with hyperglycemia - abnormally high blood sugar]. Hypoglycemia is a common complication of diabetes. It can cause headaches, loss of concentration and in severe cases, convulsions and coma. A blood sugar count of 80 mg/dl is considered low but you may not experience symptoms until you hit 60 mg/dl. Fortunately most cases of hypoglycemia are mild and can be easily corrected by taking a few sugar cubes, 2 or 3 glucose tablets or drinking a sugary drink. FACTS Type 1 diabetics are, on average, hypoglycemic 10 percent of the time. It causes symptoms about twice a week and a severe 'attack' once a year. Type 2 diabetics in comparison have severe episodes only one-tenth as often. The main reason for this difference is the difference in medication taken. 3 Foods to Throw Out Cut a bit of belly bloat each day, by avoiding these 3 foods nucific.com What Are The Symptoms? Your brain needs glucose to run the rest of your body, if levels drop too low, your intellectual function suffers. You can develop what doctors medically term neuroglycopenic symptoms. These include: • Headache • Blurry vision or double vision • Loss of concentration • Feeling cranky or aggressive • Confusion • Tiredness In prolonged, extreme cases: • Convulsions (seizures) • Fainting • Coma The muscles in your body need glucose for energy, rather like a car needs gas to run on. If your blood glucose drop too low, the body panics and sends out a group of hormones to rapidly increase your levels again. The main hormone it sends out is adrenaline. This response can result in a second category of symptoms called adrenergic symptoms (adrenaline comes from the adrenal gla Continue reading >>
