Hypoglycemia Without Diabetes

Hypoglycemia is the condition where the level of blood sugar drops below the normal range. A sudden drop in blood sugar can produce a number of symptoms. People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing this condition as a side effect of diabetes medications.

An acute episode of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients can be triggered by fasting or skipping a meal, having a very small meal, excessive consumption of alcohol, and a sudden increase in physical activity.

But sometimes, people who do not have diabetes can also develop hypoglycemia. So, let's find out what are the other factors or conditions that can lower the level of blood sugar significantly.

Certain medications can cause a significant drop in blood sugar in individuals who are not suffering from diabetes. More commonly, it is quinine (used for treating malaria), which can cause the level of blood sugar to fall below the normal range.

Even drugs like aspirin and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (a group of antidepressant drugs) can lower the level of blood sugar.

Another common cause is the excessive consumption of alcohol. This can happen especially if a person drinks a lot of alcohol without eating properly. Sometimes, hepatitis, and diseases or disorders of the kidney can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar. Eating disorders can also cause hypoglycemia due to an insufficient intake of food.

Apart from these, some other possible causes are, development of insulin-producing tumors in the pancreas, enlargement of beta cells of the pancreas, and disorders of the adrenal and pituitary glands. Children are more likely to develop this condition due to a disorder of the adrenal or the pituitary gland.

The signs and symptoms of this condition can be mild or severe. More commonly, the following symptoms can be experienced if the level of blood sugar falls below the normal range:

• Hunger
• Nervousness

• Perspiration
• Anxiety and weakness
• Shakiness
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Difficulty in speaking
• Loss of consciousness (in severe cases)

The diagnosis of this condition begins with a careful examination of the medical history of the affected individual, and the kind of medications he or she is taking. Later, the level of blood sugar of the affected individual is also measured.

If frequent episodes of hypoglycemia are found to be caused by an underlying disorder, then it can be resolved by treating that specific disorder. The signs and symptoms produced by this condition can be easily managed by taking glucose tablets, fruit juices, candies, or anything that contains simple sugars.

But a severe episode of hypoglycemia may require immediate hospitalization, and the intravenous administration of glucose.

In future, this condition can be avoided by finding out the underlying causes. This can be done by consulting a physician, who can also recommend certain lifestyle and dietary modifications to prevent hypoglycemia.

But if this condition is associated with a health problem, then its recurrences can be prevented only by treating the underlying condition.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice.