Glucose or sugars are abundantly present in the Indian Staple Diet. A lot of food that we eat is rich in sugars and also carbohydrates, which are ultimately converted into sugars.
Having a low blood sugar level without diabetes is as distressing as having high blood sugars. A lot of research and internet news educates people on to how to manage high blood sugar with the help of diet, exercise and medications. Rarely is it spoken about low blood sugar symptoms without having diabetes.
Sugars are an extremely important part of our diet. This is because a great extent of our normal body functions depends upon the availability of sugars in the blood. Fats and glucose are two major sources of energy within our body. Our brain uses about 60-65% of glucose metabolized by our body daily.
Excess glucose is stored inside the liver. When fasting, this stored glucose is used up to keep the body functioning at an optimal level. Similarly, the kidneys also contribute to glucose production, in small amount though. Our pancreas, on the other hand, is constantly working to regulate blood sugar levels with the help of hormones.
Normal Blood Sugar Level | 70 – 140 mg/Dl |
Low Blood Sugar Level | Less than 70 mg/dL |
Low Blood Sugar Level (Fasting) | Less than 50 mg/dL |
Normal Fasting Blood Sugar Level | 70 – 100 mg/dL |
High Blood Sugar Level | More than 14 mg/dL |
In medical terms, when blood sugar levels deplete below the lower limit of the normal range, it is called Hypoglycemia. Patients having diabetes commonly experience hypoglycemia either due to fasting or from taking a high dose of subcutaneous insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. Therefore Hypoglycemia is a common complication of diabetes mellitus.
In hypoglycemia, glucose levels within the brain also fall. The brain requires about 120 mg/dL of glucose daily to carry out its normal functions. This means that the brain is unable to function optimally when blood sugar levels fall.
In an apparently healthy individual, when blood sugar levels fall, the following mechanisms operate to reduce peripheral utilization of glucose and increase production of glucose by the liver
Non diabetic hypoglycemia is a relatively rare condition. The condition of low blood sugar without diabetes can be divided into 2 types
It is quite evident from these causes that non-diabetic hypoglycemia present as a diverse disorder right from infancy and childhood to adulthood and old age. Sepsis, trauma and burns are also important causes for hypoglycemia without diabetes.
Hypoglycemia is generally seen in neonates during the first 2-3 days after birth. It is present in the case of neonatal stress or from diabetic mothers. It is generally transient and the baby recovers completely.
In newborns, the presentation of hypoglycemia is lethargy, sweating, poor feeding, seizures, irritability, respiratory distress and hypothermia. The family history of diabetes, genetic disorders and environmental factors may be responsible for the development of hypoglycemia in newborns.
Premature Birth Placental Insufficiency Intra-Uterine Growth Retardation Maternal Diabetes Perinatal Stress Birth Asphyxia Maternal Use of Certain Drugs Congenital Hyperinsulinism Hyperthyroidism Maple Syrup Urine Disease G6PD Deficiency Metabolic Defects | Beckwith-Weidemann Syndrome Turner’s Syndrome Autoimmune Insulin Receptor Inactivation Hormonal Deficiencies Growth Hormone Deficiency Adrenal Insufficiency Glycogen Storage Disease Impaired Glucose Production Malnutrition Sepsis, Trauma and Burns
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The signs and symptoms of non-diabetic hypoglycemia are similar to that of hypoglycemia in diabetic persons. Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia are observed when the blood sugar falls below 55 mg/dL.
Usually, people consider milder symptoms to be a part of poor sleep or lack of nutrition and exercise. They are generally unaware of the actual problem until it really tends to obstruct activities of daily routine or until more severe signs and symptoms come into the picture.
For evaluation, Whipple’s triad should be evaluated low plasma glucose concentration. Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and resolution of signs and symptoms when plasma glucose concentration increases. Diagnosis can be done by testing when patients present with signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Further scanning and selective pancreatic calcium stimulation test can be done if the presence of tumors is suspected on evaluation.
Treatment of non-diabetic hypoglycemia entirely depends upon the cause of hypoglycemia. An elaborate history of the patient including a history of medications and details about a patient’s lifestyle may be needed to guide an appropriate treatment.
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Himanshi is a Homoeopathic consultant and currently working as a lecturer in Post-graduate faculty of Homeopathy, Parul University, Vadodara. Completed BHMS and MD in Homeopathy in January 2018 and also has a clinical experience of about 6 years. Personal interests include reading, spending time with family and traveling.
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