In medical terms Hypogycemia is a state produced by lower than normal sugar level in the blood. The symptoms and severity of the disease varies from patient to patient.The principal problems arise from an inadequate supply of glucose as fuel to the brain, resulting in impairment of function (neuroglycopenia). Derangements of function can range from vaguely "feeling bad" to coma and (rarely) permanent brain damage or death. Hypoglycemia can arise from many causes and can occur at any age.

Causes of Hypoglycemia :

Hypoglycemia can occur for a number of reasons:

Delaying or skipping a meal

Eating too little food at a meal

Getting more exercise than usual

Taking too much diabetes medicine, especially insulin, sulfonylureas, or meglitinides

Drinking alcohol

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia

These are some of the common effects one will experience when sugar levels dip below normal:

Tremor / Shaking

Weakness

Hunger

Sweating

Numbness in hands or tongue

Anxiety

Heart palpitations

These are additional symptoms one can experience during severe cases of hypoglycemia:

Confusion and/or abnormal behavior

Visual disturbances such as double vision, blurred vision or temporary blindness

Seizures

Loss of consciousness

The Risk Facor: While patients who do not have any metabolic problems can complain of symptoms suggestive of low blood sugar, true hypoglycemia usually occurs in patients being treated for diabetes (type 1 and type 2). Patients with pre-diabetes who have insulin resistance can also have low sugars on occasion if their high circulating insulin levels are further challenged by a prolonged period of fasting. There are other rare causes for hypoglycemia, such as insulin producing tumors (insulinomas) and certain medications.

The Treatment :

The acute management of hypoglycemia involves the rapid delivery of a source of easily absorbed sugar. Regular soda, juice, lifesavers, table sugar, and the like are good options. In general, 10-15 grams of glucose is used, followed by an assessment of symptoms and a blood glucose check if possible. If after 10 minutes there is no improvement, another 10-15 grams should be given. This can be repeated up to 3 times. At that point, the patient should be considered as not responding to the therapy and an ambulance should be called.

The equivalency of 10-15 grams of glucose (approximate servings) are:

• Ten lifesavers
• 4 teaspoons of sugar
• 1/2 can of regular soda or juice

Many people like the idea of treating hypoglycemia with cake, cookies, and brownies. However, sugar in the form of complex carbohydrates or sugar combined with fat and protein are much too slowly absorbed to be useful in the acute treatment of hypoglycemia.

Once the acute episode has been treated, a healthy, long-acting carbohydrate to maintain blood sugars in the appropriate range should be consumed. Half a sandwich is a reasonable option.

If the hypoglycemic episode has progressed to the point where the patient cannot or will not take anything by mouth, more drastic measures will be needed. In many cases, a family member or roommate can be trained in the use of glucagon. Glucagon causes a rapid release of glucose stores from the liver. It is an injection given intramuscularly to a patient who cannot take glucose by mouth. A response is usually seen in minutes and lasts for about 90 minutes. Again, a long-acting source of glucose should thereafter be consumed to maintain blood sugar levels in the safe range. If glucagon is not available and the patient is not able to take anything by mouth, Emergency should be called immediately. An intravenous route of glucose administration should be established as soon as possible.