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Hypoglycemia
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low
level of blood sugar (glucose)
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Diseases & Conditions
A-Z |
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Hypoglycemia is a condition caused by an
abnormally low level of blood sugar (glucose), your
body's main energy source.
However, a wide variety of health
conditions, many of them rare, can cause low blood
sugar in people without diabetes. Like
fever,
hypoglycemia is merely an indicator of a health
problem.
Among the underlying causes of hypoglycemia in
people without diabetes are certain medications,
alcohol, certain cancers, critical illnesses
including kidney, liver or
heart failure, hormonal
deficiencies, and disorders that result in your body
producing too much insulin. Insulin is the hormone
secreted by your pancreas that regulates your level
of blood sugar.
Conditions Occurring in Infancy and Childhood
Children rarely
develop hypoglycemia. If they do, causes may include
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Brief
intolerance to fasting, often in conjunction with an illness that
disturbs regular eating patterns. Children usually outgrow this
tendency by age 10.
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Hyperinsulinism, which is the excessive production of insulin. This
condition can result in transient neonatal hypoglycemia, which is
common in infants of mothers with diabetes. Persistent
hyperinsulinism in infants or children is a complex disorder that
requires prompt evaluation and treatment by a specialist.
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Enzyme
deficiencies that affect carbohydrate metabolism. These deficiencies
can interfere with the body's ability to process natural sugars,
such as fructose and galactose, glycogen, or other metabolites.
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Hormonal
deficiencies such as lack of pituitary or adrenal hormones.
Hope Through Research
The National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) was
established by Congress in 1950 as one of the National Institutes of
Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NIDDK
conducts and supports research in diabetes, glucose metabolism, and
related conditions. Researchers supported by NIDDK are investigating
topics such as
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What are the
causes of hypoglycemia?
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Can islet cell
transplantation eliminate hypoglycemia?
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Can
laparoscopy (a surgical procedure) be used to find and remove
insulinomas (insulin-producing tumors)?
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Do new
frequent-glucose-monitoring devices help prevent hypoglycemia?
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Why do
repeated episodes of hypoglycemia lead to loss of awareness of
hypoglycemia symptoms?
A complete listing
of clinical research studies can be found at
http://ClinicalTrials.gov on the Internet.
Points to Remember
Diabetes-Related Hypoglycemia
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If you think
your blood glucose is low, check it and treat the problem right
away.
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To treat
hypoglycemia, have a serving of a quick-fix food, wait 15 minutes,
and check your blood glucose. Repeat the treatment until your blood
glucose is above 70.
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Keep quick-fix
foods in the car, at work—anywhere you spend time.
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Be careful
when you are driving. Check your blood glucose frequently and snack
as needed to keep your level above 70 mg/dL.
Hypoglycemia Unrelated to Diabetes
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In reactive
hypoglycemia, symptoms occur within 4 hours of eating. People with
this condition are usually advised to follow a healthy eating plan
recommended by a registered dietitian.
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Fasting
hypoglycemia can be caused by certain medications, critical
illnesses, hereditary enzyme or hormonal deficiencies, and some
kinds of tumors. Treatment targets the underlying problem.
Hypoglycemia
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