Hypoglycemia help please

You mean right now? Go eat something. Seems like a simple fix to me

Just because you said you "seem" to be experiencing it: Have you checked your blood sugar when experiencing a hypoglycemic episode and contacted your doctor about your concerns?

I'm diabetic and often experience hypoglycemic episodes, though I think the treatment is the same: eat something. Most diabetics follow the "rule of 15" for treating low blood sugars: consume 15g of fast-acting carbs (jelly beans, glucose tablets, skittles, regular soda, juice) and wait 15 minutes. Consume an additional 15g of carbs every 15 minutes until BG levels reach above 70mg/dL, and then consume a 15-20g snack that contains complex carbs and fat/protein (apples and peanut butter, half a sandwich, cheese and crackers, etc.). The fast-acting carbs are meant to quickly bring up your blood sugar, while the snack prevents another hypoglycemia episode from occurring (it's a longer source of carbohydrates the body can use).

I have been hypoglycemic (no diabetes) since birth. Message me if you want to chat about it. Check out the hypoglycemia support foundation too.

Have you tried seeing a doctor? The solution is really as simply as eating, but you also want to look into it to treat the source not only the symptoms, or to know if a particular way of handling symptoms is better than another. You may have thyroid issues which sometimes lead to hypoglycemia and can be managed with the right medication, or you may have reactive hypoglycemia for example in which case switching to slow carbs would be ideal, you may not be eating enough or exercising too much in which case increasing your calories will solve that...etc.

Some other conditions can mimic hypoglycemia like low blood pressure, dehydration, too much coffee, certain diet pills and medications or anxiety, so if you have not confirmed it with a glucose meter, look into other things as well.

I am hypoglycemic (very mild), but I rarely have issues anymore. I used to eat a very high sugar diet (lots of oreos, candy and pop) and found that once I cut that out and started eating healthier food I rarely have issues anymore. I also went to a dietitian who gave me some really good guidelines about what types of foods to eat/avoid. I would recommend going to a doctor though in case there is something specific causing it.

Thin_Beauty94 wrote: »

RoseTheWarrior wrote: »

Thin_Beauty94 wrote: »

RoseTheWarrior wrote: »

I don't know if I'm hypoglycemic, but I need to eat 5 small meals a day. If it go more than 3 or 4 hours without something, I get super shaky. So, I just space out my meals accordingly. Just make sure to keep a snack handy that has a bit of carbs. Greek yogurt (not the sugar free kind) is a great one, or fruit.

So try and do 6 small meals a day?

I'm fine with 5? I was trying to offer assistance to you. Guess not?

What's with the snappy attitude it's simply a question?

That's a darn good question. What's the answer?

abatonfan wrote: »

minnwow wrote: »

Hypoglycemia is a condition that affects the production of all hormones and the treatment is not as simple as eating correctly. Every aspect of your life is a contributing factor, exercise, sleep, food and energy expenditure as well as emotional aspects of your life. True hypoglycemics have elevated levels of adrenaline, insulin, cortisol and all kinds of things that create imbalances. As someone with 28 years of experience as a severe hypoglycemic I wouldn't jump too quickly on such simple solutions. It's a complicated issue with many variables. Your best help is a hormone specialist and your intuition. Again the hypoglycemia support foundation is a great resource too.

Wouldn't adrenaline and cortisol be decreased? Cortisol stimulates gluconeogenesis (which in excess would lead to hyperglycemia instead of hypoglycemia). Epinephrine also increases blood glucose, as its actions inhibit the release of insulin and stimulates the sympathetic nervous system (the "fight or flight" response).

From what I remember from patho (I just had an exam for the class and am brain dead), hypoglycemia symptoms are from two separate "causes": Adrenaline being released (shakiness, irritability, increased heart rate, cold sweats. All of these typically seen during "milder" cases of hypoglycemia) and the brain not receiving enough glucose (confusion, dizziness, stupor, coma, seizures, death. These signs/symptoms are typically seen in very severe hypoglycemia).

I have had this condition my whole life. It's a condition that rarely if ever makes any sense or follows rules. It's hard to properly diagnose and harder even to control. I have elevated adrenaline responses and problems regulating all my hormones because of their interaction with each other. Essentially once you step in to the world of hormone interactions, you realize it's an entire galaxy, nothing is as simple as it seems. My aunt is a md and studied hormones for years before realizing how complex it is. The real answer is that today's medicine has no answer for the true nature of hormones and their interactions. Each doctor has their own theory but it's complicated beyond current knowledge.

minnwow wrote: »

Hypoglycemia is a condition that affects the production of all hormones and the treatment is not as simple as eating correctly. Every aspect of your life is a contributing factor, exercise, sleep, food and energy expenditure as well as emotional aspects of your life. True hypoglycemics have elevated levels of adrenaline, insulin, cortisol and all kinds of things that create imbalances. As someone with 28 years of experience as a severe hypoglycemic I wouldn't jump too quickly on such simple solutions. It's a complicated issue with many variables. Your best help is a hormone specialist and your intuition. Again the hypoglycemia support foundation is a great resource too.

Good post. And I'll add: as OTHER hormones change, hypoglycemia changes. (menopause etc)
I find that for myself: keeping my blood sugars as even as I can always helped. But all bets were off when menopause hit.
Still, I focus on eating "slow" carbs, and reading my own body's response to certain foods and what not. I know when NOT to have caffeine, when NOT to have a carby meal etc.
But as you say, it's complex, and doesn't follow rules.