|
|
Hypoglycemia: An Introduction
Glucose.
Despite all the warnings of sugar overload, glucose is a form of
sugar that the human body needs. And it needs a steady supply of it. Glucose is your body's main
source of energy. Your body can't
manufacture this and it can't store it.
So it's dependent on you to feed it what it needs.
When
your body is abnormally low on glucose then a condition called hypoglycemia
develops. Hypoglycemia is not a disease; it's an indicator of a more serious
health problem. Most commonly, this health condition is associated with
diabetes. But, other problems
can also prompt it.
If
you don't have diabetes, some of the reasons why you may be experiencing
hypoglycemia include the use of certain medications or alcohol as well as
having some kinds of cancer. Diseases
associated with the kidneys, liver or heart failure can also prompt the
symptoms of hypoglycemia. Another
reason for experiencing this problem could also stem from a deficiency of
hormones.
Moreover,
if you have a disorder which results in your body producing an abundance of
insulin, you could be prone to hypoglycemia.
Insulin is the hormone that your pancreas secretes which regulates
you level of blood sugar.
Sugar
is one of the major fuels for the body.
The only two ways you system can acquire it only through the
consumption of simple sugars or complex carbohydrates.
During the digestive process, your body takes the carbohydrates from
foods like bread, pizza, rice pasta, fruit and milk products as well as
fruits and vegetables.
Glucose
is one of theses sugar molecules which get broken down.
It's then absorbed directly into your bloodstream following your
meal. It cannot, however,
penetrate the cells of most of your tissues without the aid of insulin.
If
your pancreas produces and, in turn, releases too much insulin into your
blood stream, you suffer from a health condition called hyperinsulinema.
Again, like low blood sugar, it's not a disease in and of itself, but
it's an indicator of an underlying health problem.
When your pancreas releases too much insulin, even more glucose
enters your cells. You liver is
unable to get rid of the glucose in your blood stream.
The result is low blood sugar.
If
you don't have diabetes, the normal fasting blood sugar level is between 70
and 100 mg per deciliter. Blood
sugar level is considered low in a person who doesn't have diabetes when it
dips to 50 mg per deciliter or below.
However,
you need to be aware that insulin isn't the sole factor in the complex
process of blood sugar maintenance. Following
a meal, for example, insulin levels are elevated. Your liver accepts the extra sugar and stores it in the form
of glycogen. When the insulin
levels dip between meals, you liver then breaks down the glycogen into
glucose.
Your
body additionally has the ability to manufacture glucose through a process
known as gluconeogenesis. While
it occurs primarily in your liver, your kidneys also aid the creation.
Note: Some statements in this article may not be
approved by the FDA. This article is for informational purposes only and
should not be taken as professional medical advice.
Privacy
Statement Subscriptions are $12 a year, Lifetime Subscription:
$200 Bulk Subscriptions To order,
please click to our
SUBSCRIPTION
INFORMATION
$20 for two years
(5 magazines each issue) $22 a year or
$35 for 2 years
Subscription Page
Inside Mother
Home Site Features
Book Reviews Birth, Joy, &
Raspberry Leaves Go
HERE for
more information on the waterbirth video!
Subscribe!
What's New?
Mother's Tea
Guest Article
Homebirth
Editorial
Best Articles
Breastfeeding
Dear Mother Dear
Reader Letters
Eternally Pregnant
Circumcision
Mother Books
Cartoons!
Poems
Links
Birth
Stories
Site
Map
Advertising
Contact Us
-a new video compiled by Catherine and Amanda Young
of The Compleat Mother
Inside Mother
Home
Subscribe!
What's New?
Mother's Tea
Guest Article
Homebirth
Editorial
Best Articles
Breastfeeding
Dear Mother Dear
Reader Letters
Eternally Pregnant
Circumcision
Site Features
Book Reviews
Mother Books
Cartoons!
Poems
Links
Birth
Stories
Site
Map
Advertising
Contact Us
Birth, Joy, &
Raspberry Leaves
-a new video compiled by Catherine and Amanda Young
of The Compleat Mother
Go HERE for more information on the waterbirth video!
Click here to read: The Farmer and the Obstetrician
Click here for the Home Sweet Homebirth (Video)
