While diabetes is the result of a lack of insulin or its control of the cells, hypoglycemia reflects an excess of insulin in the blood which leads to very low blood sugar levels.
It occurs at patients who adopt a strict control of their blood sugar, and usually at type 2 diabetes that have high levels of circulating insulin and the incapacity to deliver it correctly to the cells.
All the organs in the body, the muscles, the cells and the brain need fuel to execute their specific roles.
The primary source of energy is generated by the blood sugar and carbohydrates (raise, potatoes, cereals, fruits, milk etc).
After each meal, sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream and delivered to the body's cells.
The amount of extra glucose will be stored in the liver and muscles in a form called glycogen, and will be used as energy between the meals.
In cases of low blood glucose these amounts of extra glucose stored in the cells will be realised from the liver back into the bloodstream, with the help of another hormone manufactured in the pancreas, called glucagon.
The level of insulin and glucagon are normally balanced when the liver and the pancreas are functioning correctly.
Under the stress of not having enough sugar the nervous system respond through a series of gradual warnings at body level.
Recognizing these alert signs gives the patient the possibility to adjust blood glucose levels before the brain is affected.
The common symptoms that indicate that a patient might be suffering from hypoglycemia are: 1.
A blurred, "tunnel effect", or double-vision.
2.
Palpitations: when the heart bit intensify and become 1/3 faster than normal could be a sign of hypoglycemia.
3.
A sudden change of temperature from cold weather to warm weather often precipitates hypoglycemia.
4.
Hunger sensation: low level of blood sugar will bring the sensation of hunger, because cells are deprived of sugar.
It happens as well when there is high level of sugar in the blood but it cannot be circulated properly to the cells.
5.
Anxiety and Irritability The most common causes of hypoglycemia refers to: over-medication with insulin, anti diabetes pills, aspirin, use of alcohol, missed meals or high-fat meals when the internal combustion process is longer.
Having a drink before the meal will dilute certain amount of sugar with blood leading to the symptoms of hypoglyicemia as well.
To treat the hypoglycemia the patient need to restore his/her blood glucose level to the normal.
It can be solved easily by the in taken very little sugar or carbohydrate food.
In same cases the administration or glucose tablets of injections with glucagon are suggested.