Prevent hypoglycemia: how and tips

The drop of blood sugar occurs when the sugar is below 70 mg / dl, which occurs when the sugar is used too quickly in our body, when it is released into the bloodstream too slowly, or when too much insulin is released into the bloodstream blood

From a medical point of view it is known by the name of hypoglycemia, and its causes are actually very varied: from skipping meals or not eating enough during these to take insulin from a person with diabetes at the wrong time, as well as liver disease, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages or the presence of a tumor in the pancreas that causes an excessive production of insulin.

What is hypoglycemia?

So, Hypoglycemia is the existence of low levels of blood sugar. Specifically, when glucose is well below the levels considered normal.

In this sense, and taking into account the normal values ​​of glucose, the normal value of glucose is between 70 and 105 mg / dl in young people and adults. In children, it tends to be considered normal between 40 to 100 mg / dl. Therefore, while low values ​​are considered to be below 70 mg / dL, hypoglycaemia is actually diagnosed when blood glucose is below 40-50 mg / dL.

There are basically two types of hypoglycemia: fasting hypoglycemia (it appears when we have been without food for a long period of time), and reactive hypoglycaemia (symptoms appear between 1 and 3 hours after eating).

How to prevent hypoglycemia

At the time of prevent hypoglycemia, an especially useful option is to attend -and know- what the main causes of low glucose levels are. Taking this into account, it is also interesting to know that hypoglycemia can occur in people with diabetes (with certain differentiated causes), and in people who do not have diabetes.

In people with diabetes, its causes can be: skipping meals or not eating enough during these, taking insulin or diabetes medication at wrong times, do more physical exercise, drink alcoholic beverages and take a lot of insulin or medication by mistake. diabetes

In people without diabetes, its causes can be: liver disease, alcohol consumption and the presence of an insulinoma, a tumor present in the pancreas that causes an excessive production of insulin.

Among the most useful tips that help in the prevention of hypoglycemia, we can highlight the following:

  • Do not skip meals: it is something fundamental, since in this way we will avoid getting too hungry to the next meal, and above all, blood glucose levels will not fall sharply.
  • Make several meals a day: preferably between 5 to 6, including breakfast, mid-morning, lunch, snack and dinner. It is fundamental in this sense to always maintain the same schedules, and as indicated above, never skip any food.
  • Opt for foods rich in complex carbohydrates: Highlights fiber-rich foods, as well as whole grains and whole-grain pasta. Also legumes, vegetables, vegetables, fruits and nuts. This type of food contributes slow-absorbing sugar, which means that blood glucose levels do not increase drastically, releasing energy little by little. Obviously, it is advisable to avoid those foods that are rich in simple carbohydrates.
  • Avoid the practice of excessive or very strenuous physical exercise: if we practice a lot of physical exercise, especially in an excessive or very strenuous way, it is a practice that promotes the decrease in the levels of glucose in the organism, which in turn influences that the sugar levels go down. If a person already has hypoglycemia, because their blood sugar levels are always low, it is advisable to measure glucose levels before sports. If the value is less than 100 dg / dL it is advisable to eat an apple or a banana before practicing sports.

Images | Oskar Annermarken / See-ming Lee This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor.

Treating Low Blood Sugar | Hypoglycemia | Nucleus Health (March 2024)