TAGS
Low blood sugar, low blood glucose or hypoglycemia usually happens when there is a decrease in blood sugar below what is average. Being a primary source of energy, glucose comes from the food that we eat everyday.
After we consume food, insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas does its job of carrying glucose to the cells in order to be used as a source of energy. The body stores the extra glucose in its reserves in the form of glycogen.
When the level of glucose in the blood drops below normal levels, glucagon, a hormone made in the pancreas interferes by letting the liver know that there is a need for glucose in the blood, and that is when the liver starts breaking down glycogen. In some diabetes patients, this mechanism is dysfunctional which places them at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
If the necessary measures are not taken to treat hypoglycemia it can lead to severe cases of fainting, seizures and coma. Hypoglycemia may happen suddenly in most cases and can be treatable by eating foods that have a high amount of glucose.
Symptoms
Hypoglycemia may manifest itself in several symptoms such as:
difficulty speaking anxiety weakness
sweating dizziness or light-headedness sleepiness
hunger shakiness nervousness
.
