3.1 WHAT IS HYPOGLYCEMIA?

Hypoglycemia literally means "low blood sugar level". Normally a complex hormonal process provides the body with a nearly constant blood glucose concentration. When the balance of hormones becomes disturbed a situation of high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia = diabetes) or too low blood glucose levels may occur. In case of a too low blood glucose level or rapid or high changing blood glucose levels a variety of symptoms may be experienced. This phenomena is called the "hypoglycemia syndrome".

With most hypoglycemics, symptoms can be successfully suppressed or controlled by following a diet. However, a number of diets has been proposed for hypoglycemia. Everyone is different, therefore, you should focus on the things that work for you. Please check out the Section 4 about diets.

Several types of chronic hypoglycemia exist, reactive hypoglycemia and fasting hypoglycemia being the most common. The following synonyms may be used in literature to denote the syndrome: postprandial hypoglycemia, postprandial syndrome, idiopathic reactive hypoglycemia, functional hypoglycemia, spontaneous hypoglycemia.

There is a number of diseases or conditions that produce the same symptoms as hypoglycemia. Also, there could be an underlying problem triggering your hypoglycemia. Therefore you should always consult your physician first. Some of these other diseases or conditions are potentially life-threatening. Diseases that can lead to hypoglycemia:

• metabolic diseases as glycogenoses, gluconeogenesis defects, galactosemia, fructosemia, breakdown disorder of fatty acids or amino acids;
• hormonal diseases as hyperinsulinism (rare), hypoglycemia can be caused by hypothyroid too;
• liver diseases, glycogenoses and gluconeogenesis defects are liver-related metabolic diseases, alcohol abuse may cause hypoglycemia too.

An in-depth biochemical discussion of human metabolism can be found at Dr. Walsch's site, Davis School of Medicine: http://medtstgo.ucdavis.edu/endo/lecture/met.htm

3.2 WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Hypoglycemia is not a disease, it's a multicausal syndrome with a variety of symptoms. Symptoms do not only show wide variation between individuals, but can also be very different with one individual, depending on among others physical or mental activities and state, the hour of the day and recent food intake.

Changes in blood glucose level can lead to the following symptoms:
 

fatigue; vertigo; mood changes; anxiety; trembling hands; concentration/attention disorders; visual disturbances; memory problems;

sudden sweating; constant feeling of hunger; sleep problems; nightmares; Candida Albicans (yeast infection); headache; menstruation disorders; intestinal disorders.

When one or more symptoms pertain for a long time, the immune system is weakened. When the defense system is weakened existing symptoms may worsen and/or new symptoms develop. In that case the hypoglycemia syndrome may be present.

A comparison between the symptoms of hypoglycemia and several other conditions (e.g. Candida, hypothoroid, CFS) can be found at Dwight Shackleford's site: http://www.silver-bayou.com/whatsama/symptoms.htm .

For more info on Candida, a common companion of hypoglycemia, check out Don Wiss' Candida Page: http://www.panix.com/~candida/ , or this Candida site: http://www.bellnet.com:80/~candida_treatment.htm .

More info about immune system reelated problems can be found at the Immune Mailing List Homepage: http://www.best.com/~immune/

3.3 WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE CAUSES?

The exact causes of hypoglycemia are yet unknown. Several factors are involved in developing the hypoglycemia syndrome. It is clear that extra risk is present in case of:

• heredity if hypoglycemia or diabetes runs in the family;
• weakened immune system, e.g. after a (viral) infection;
• tumors, like an insulinoma;
• wrong eating habits, esp. sugar intake;
• prolonged use of refined food;
• prolonged use of drugs like antibiotics;
• hormonal disorders;
• chronic stress, bodily as well as mental;
• old infections, e.g. Pfeiffer disease;
• pancreas overload;
• excess physical exercise;
• food intolerance and allergies, e.g. celiac symptoms and hypoglycemia symptoms can be very look-alike, some people consider hypoglycemia as a side-effect of their allergy or intolerance.

For a concise discussion of several clinical causes of hypoglycemia you could visit the Hypoglycemia Homepage Holland: http://huizen.dds.nl/~hypo/causes.htm .

3.4 WHAT METHODS ARE USED IN DIAGNOSIS?

Regular methods:

• extended (6 hour) Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: a GTT tests your reaction to a concentrated solution of glucose over an extended period of time (see Section 7.1);
• eating pattern analysis: having checked your food diary by an expert;
• Dr. Harper's health test: the score on 20 health questions can give you an indication about your chances being hypoglycemic;
• switching to a hypoglycemic diet and noticing the difference (therapeutic diagnosis);

Alternative medicine:

• applied kinesiology;
• Touch for Health method;
• elektro-acupuncture; Voll and/or Vega method;
• homeopathy.

3.5 HOW DOES HYPOGLYCEMIA START?

Some people suffer from hypoglycemia from birth or childhood on, some later discovered they did, while there is also a group of people who can clearly mark the beginning of their first hypoglycemia symptoms, e.g. after stress or an infection. People who have had hypoglycemia all their life may have experiences years without symptoms while on a loose diet, just avoiding sugar. Sometimes the syndrome did come back suddenly, particularly after a stressful time or a viral infection, maybe in combination with bad eating habits or extended use of stimulants (drugs/hormones, etc.).

3.6 WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?

In order to be able to treat hypoglycemia it is especially important to get a good diagnosis, after which you may be able to track down the specific causes or circumstances that triggered your disease. To break out of the vicious circle of the hypoglycemia syndrome you should start adjusting your eating pattern. The following guidelines are important in the treatment of hypoglycemia:

• go on a diet that regulates your blood sugar level;
• use several smaller meals, equally spaced over the day;
• adapt your way of living to your state of health;
• adequate exercise helps to balance your endocrine system;
• avoid excess stress;
• take the nutritional supplements if prescribed any;
• avoid drugs that influence the blood sugar level;
• other therapies (regular, complementary medicine).

The most up-to-date copy of this FAQs can always be obtained from:
Hypoglycemia Homepage Holland: http://huizen.dds.nl/~hypo/faq

Next section: 4. Diets