Postprandial Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a known affliction resulting from low blood glucose levels, which starve the brain of its needed resources in order to function properly. Hypoglycemia is most common among diabetic people whose dependence on insulin sometimes result in accidents or improper medication that makes their blood sugar levels drop way below the intended number. This will result for the brain to shut down vital body processes that it has deemed least essential. While diabetic people are most at risk, hypoglycemia can also occur in people who are not suffering from diabetes mellitus. There are several kinds of non-diabetic hypoglycemia and one of the most intriguing is the reactive, or Postprandrial Hypoglycemia.
Postprandrial Hypoglycemia is still widely studied because it is very difficult to pinpoint the exact cause, and that there are various causes that serve as catalysts for the disorder. The most common causes so far are those who have suffered problematic blood sugar levels after surgery. These surgeries usually involve rapid gastric emptying such as Gastrectomy (partial or full removal of the stomach), Gastrojejunostomy (surgical formation that helps communication between the stomach and the jejunum), Pyloroplasty (surgery which helps relax and widen the opening into the intestine) and Vagotomy (severing of the vagus nerve that helps in the treatment of peptic ulcer).
Postprandial Hypoglycemia can also come from excessive insulin (either through external administration or through the body’s natural insulin making system) or through improper administration of hypoglycemic medication. Additional risks also occur if the person has an impaired or poorly functioning glucose tolerance that delays the rise in insulin levels. A delayed rise in insulin levels will cause the small intestine to absorb glucose faster than normal which starves the brain itself of much needed fuel, resulting in a hypoglycemia attack.
The symptoms of postprandial hypoglycemia do not differ from those exhibited by other types of the illness. The patient will still suffer from overall weakness and hunger, cold sweats, trembling and convulsion coupled with severe headaches, abnormal vision and difficulty in speaking, nervousness and sudden irritability. Hypoglycemia should be treated immediately as prolonged delays of medication can result in irreversible brain damage followed by coma.
When treating postprandial hypoglycemia, the first and most important priority should be to raise the person’s glucose level back to normal amounts. This can be done through intake of foods or snacks full of quickly absorbed sugar and carbohydrates, such as lifesaver candies, regular soda (diet sodas do not contain sugar and cannot be used), ordinary table sugar, and fruit juices. If the person is suffering a severe attack of hypoglycemia, oral intake may not be possible and the person should be taken to an emergency facility immediately so that medication can be administered intravenously.
Effective long-term treatment for postprandial hypoglycemia would necessitate massive modifications and alterations in the person’s diet, and would require the help of a trained physician or a dietician. Proper prevention of attacks should be observed and not be neglected as hypoglycemia’s effects can worsen into long term, irreversible damages if neglected for prolonged periods of time.
Quick Tip #1
Treatment of hypoglycemia is an ongoing process, remember to have a good diet with evenly spaced out meals every 2-3 hours apart. Also exercising can really help in keeping this condition under check.
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Quick Tip #2
A lot of symptoms of low blood sugar have common signs as other diseases. If you exeperience any of the hypoglycemia symptoms, do consult your doctor for treatment.
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