Hypoglycemia?

Sparx35, Hypoglycemia is when your blood sugar level is below normal. So what is normal? It has been defined as having a blood sugar level of between (US)72-120 (Canadian 4.0- 6.9). A low would fall in the range of 65 (Canadian 3.4) and below. People with normal functioning pancreases will fall into this range (ie the normal range 4-6(Canadian) or 72- 120(US); even after eating a high carbohydrate meal. How is a 'normal range' tested? A simple blood test either fasting or random. Hypoglycemic symptoms will include hunger ( I need to eat NOW), shakiness, sweating in the head and neck, some upper body sweats, confusion, and possibly not making much sense. In extreme cases a coma. If someone has hypoglycemia, administer sugar loaded drinks eg gatorade, or honey, candy. However only small amounts (15 gms every 15 mins). BUt, HOW DO YOU KNOW? A glucometer will give this answer. Jerrycat. Coffee is a stimulant and has been documented to increase your metabolic rate. Caffeine can increase heartrate, make you feel edgy and therefore 'hungry', irritable. Sugar added to your coffee could enhance this. An increase in your metabolic rate will mean that the amount of insulin you produce to enable the carbohydrates you ate to be used for fuel, will exceed the number of carbohydrates. In other words the amount of energy needed has exceed your intake. High GI food will require a bigger amount of insulin to be released, and once this quickly digested /absorbed food is done, the insulin is still circulating resulting in a low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Don't forget, exercise compounds the effect of insulin and carbohydrates. Alcohol is filtered by your liver. In moderation your body will handle this. (Low carb drinks: hard alcohol no mix, dry wine... the mix and sweet alcohol is high GI, and high sugar/carbs). Alcohol will lower your blood sugar level hence why people eat when drinking. If you get severe hypoglycemia and your liver is already handling alcohol, then it is a bit busy, so releasing glycogen to compensate for your low is difficult. Not a good idea if you have been diagnosed with hypoglycemia. "Most people have symptoms" I agree, especially when they neglect their diet as was also stated. A balanced diet will prevent these variations in blood sugar levels. re Toast and the deep end: What sort of toast are you eating? White bread will certainly do that. But sourdough bread will not as it is Low GI. High grain/ fibre bread is low GI. Check out The Glycemic Index of Foods re Eggs and Veggies: Eggs are protein, veges have carbohydrates. Possibly you may be eating low GI veges or veges with no carbs. Protein gives a feeling of not hungry. Remember that your body needs fuel and the most convienient source is from carbohydrates. A small amount of carbs will suffice and then the body can convert to fat for other sources. That is why carbs plus protein are recommended. It is also important to replace our cells with protein and carbs within 30-45 mins of a workout so we can repair and refuel for the next workout. Even 'regular healthy athletes' have these problems. If you think you do, please get checked out thoroughly. Just another thought, do you know what hyperglycemia is??? What the signs and symptoms of this could be?? "to motivate, add water" "fear is a reaction, courage is a decision"

Sparx35, Hypoglycemia is when your blood sugar level is below normal. So what is normal? It has been defined as having a blood sugar level of between (US)72-120 (Canadian 4.0- 6.9). A low would fall in the range of 65 (Canadian 3.4) and below. People with normal functioning pancreases will fall into this range (ie the normal range 4-6(Canadian) or 72- 120(US); even after eating a high carbohydrate meal. How is a 'normal range' tested? A simple blood test either fasting or random. Hypoglycemic symptoms will include hunger ( I need to eat NOW), shakiness, sweating in the head and neck, some upper body sweats, confusion, and possibly not making much sense. In extreme cases a coma. If someone has hypoglycemia, administer sugar loaded drinks eg gatorade, or honey, candy. However only small amounts (15 gms every 15 mins). BUt, HOW DO YOU KNOW? A glucometer will give this answer. Jerrycat. Coffee is a stimulant and has been documented to increase your metabolic rate. Caffeine can increase heartrate, make you feel edgy and therefore 'hungry', irritable. Sugar added to your coffee could enhance this. An increase in your metabolic rate will mean that the amount of insulin you produce to enable the carbohydrates you ate to be used for fuel, will exceed the number of carbohydrates. In other words the amount of energy needed has exceed your intake. High GI food will require a bigger amount of insulin to be released, and once this quickly digested /absorbed food is done, the insulin is still circulating resulting in a low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Don't forget, exercise compounds the effect of insulin and carbohydrates. Alcohol is filtered by your liver. In moderation your body will handle this. (Low carb drinks: hard alcohol no mix, dry wine... the mix and sweet alcohol is high GI, and high sugar/carbs). Alcohol will lower your blood sugar level hence why people eat when drinking. If you get severe hypoglycemia and your liver is already handling alcohol, then it is a bit busy, so releasing glycogen to compensate for your low is difficult. Not a good idea if you have been diagnosed with hypoglycemia. "Most people have symptoms" I agree, especially when they neglect their diet as was also stated. A balanced diet will prevent these variations in blood sugar levels. re Toast and the deep end: What sort of toast are you eating? White bread will certainly do that. But sourdough bread will not as it is Low GI. High grain/ fibre bread is low GI. Check out The Glycemic Index of Foods re Eggs and Veggies: Eggs are protein, veges have carbohydrates. Possibly you may be eating low GI veges or veges with no carbs. Protein gives a feeling of not hungry. Remember that your body needs fuel and the most convienient source is from carbohydrates. A small amount of carbs will suffice and then the body can convert to fat for other sources. That is why carbs plus protein are recommended. It is also important to replace our cells with protein and carbs within 30-45 mins of a workout so we can repair and refuel for the next workout. Even 'regular healthy athletes' have these problems. If you think you do, please get checked out thoroughly. Just another thought, do you know what hyperglycemia is??? What the signs and symptoms of this could be?? "to motivate, add water" "fear is a reaction, courage is a decision"