What is Hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia occurs when your body's blood sugar, or glucose, is abnormally low, below 45 mg/dL. Normal range for blood sugar is considered between 65-110 mg/dL.
The incidence of hypoglycemia in a population is difficult to ascertain.
What are the causes?
Hypoglycemia results when your body's glucose is used up too rapidly, when glucose is released into the bloodstream more slowly that is needed by your body, or when excessive insulin is released into the bloodstream by your pancreas. The pancreas is an organ situated in the abdomen and responsible with the secretion of multiple hormones.
What are the symptoms of Hypoglycemia?
Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include:
- Early /mild symptoms: sweating, shakiness, increased heart rate, and anxiety.
- Moderate/severe symptoms include weakness, tiredness, or dizziness; difficulty with concentration; confusion; blurred vision.
- Extreme cases: coma and death.
Hypoglycemia can happen while asleep presenting as nightmares or profuse sweating. However, each person may experience symptoms differently.
