What happens when your sugar is low?

We’ve all experienced it – that shaky feeling, the sudden craving for sweets, and the urge to eat everything in sight. But what happens when your sugar is low? Well my sweet-toothed friends, pull up a chair and let’s dive into all things ‘low blood sugar’.

The Science of Blood Sugar

To understand what occurs during a dip in blood sugar levels, we must first explore how our bodies regulate glucose (a fancy term for sugar). Glucose provides energy needed for proper body functioning. When we consume food containing carbohydrates or sugars, our bodies break them down into glucose molecules via digestion.

Now if you’re not familiar with insulin – this little guy plays an important role in maintaining balanced glucose levels by allowing cells throughout your body to absorb glucose where energy production can occur.. Insulin lowers glucose concentration within the bloodstream (1).

This process ensures that energy is continuously available when required.If there is excess storage of glycogen once all cells are filled with enough fuel; insulin converts those extra sugars into fat stores which can be used as supplemental fuel when demand arises –or unfortunately– gets packed on as unwanted love handles.

The pancreas produces insulin along with another hormone glucagon that raises blood sugar concentration by breaking down stored glycogen (2) found mostly inside liver or muscle tissue back into usable individual units such as amino acids or fatty acids through a process called gluconeogenesis.fats., while increasing released adrenaline(which further drives up hormones like cortisol) leading to release of stress-related hormones via activation of nervous system known amongst us mortals as “flight/fight” response.This presence will ultimately raise overall gluocose level in turn keeping you alive longer even without immediate sources. Both mechanisms help restore healthy range from any dips due normal wear/tear…too much exercise , excessive fasting,…inadequate food intake yet not too low that would have the opposite reverse effect on your health.

Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar

WHO here hasn’t felt ‘hangry’ before? You know, when hunger meets anger resulting in a destructive frenzy for anything in the nearby vicinity. Although low blood sugar levels – aka hypoglycemia – shares some similar symptoms with being hungry, it warrants immediate attention.

Here are some common signs and symptoms of low blood sugar:

  • Shakiness or trembling hands
  • Sweating and Clammy skin
  • Feeling anxious, irritable or  confused !!
  • Heart palpitations (yes similar to those from one too many espresso shots)
  • Fatigue and weakness which will make you feel very physically worn out even without physical exertion.
    of course this feeling is adding salt to injury. 

It’s important to note that while these symptoms may seem like minor inconveniencees given what happens if ignored can lead to much more serious consequence such as seizures — due by extreme dips– making proper awareness critical among general population. 

Let’s continue browsing through nature’s candy jar….

Causes of Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycemia occurs when glucose inside your bloodstream falls below normal ranges typically caused by several factors including:


Diet Factors

If doesn’t take long after consuming&nsbp;a carb-heavy meal especially following longer periods where food was absent, body tends releasing too much insulin leaving you feeling drained shortly thereafter. In contrast skipping meals or not eating enough often leads into similar consequences, bringing emphasis that balanced diets are key factor keeping everything properly functioning down there.( no pun intended)!

Insulin injections.

For people living with diabetes, taking certain medications results in excessive secretion of insulin ultimately leading tto sustained decline in overall glucose concetration within bloodstream caussing lows.

For Type I diabetic patients equivalent doses might cause lowering of the glucose below normal ranges, especially for those with poor skills in managing insulin dosages.

Medical conditions

Certain medical conditions can affect various hormones or chemical interactions that are responsible for controlling blood sugar levels. This includes hormonal imbalances such as overproduction of cortisol and Insulin resistance —common sign MOA among obese individuals(5)  which impairs utilization by cells. 

Heat exhaustion , hepatitis , cancer-induced malnutrition or liver failure have also been shown to precipitate hypoglycemia as well.

Let’s bring things a little closer to home shall we……

Prevention of Low Blood Sugar

Although lows may appear inevitable, certain habits might prevent you from sinking low -no pun intended^^- Also maintaining healthy lifestyles helps so here are some tips& tricks that will guarantee less dramatic feelings associated with “sugar crash” – Ain’t nobody got time for that! :


Eat frequent small meals

Instead waiting till your stomach makes whale noises,solve problem before it happens .Eating smaller portions throughout day much easier than attempting full-on feast after missing out on prior meals.

Limit simple sugars intake

Simple doesnt usually equal good esp when speaking about diets.plan Choosing Complex Carbs ( rice,pasta,bread) better alternative due taking more durable process resulting in longer sustained blood sugar equilibrium range.(3)

You alsowant reasonably balanced oils,— no harm done adding avocados here and there– rich proteins sources &complex carbohydrates into daily regimen since quality grains highly beneficial for both digestive system functionality and lowering lipid content.(yes please !) Use common sense but make sure give body all necessary components needed.

Sounds like maths class right now but trust me folks,body loves little math equations every once awhile :‘ Good food Sources rev up, sugars (J.com)(

Stay active & hydrated

It’s amazing how taking a little stroll or doing simple stretching exercises can improve circulation and better regulate glucose transport. Adding water to formula lubricates joints and importantly prevents dehydration occurance alleviating several symptoms of hypoglycemia.(4)

Finally, let’s talk….treatment!

Treatment for Low Blood Sugar

So how do you solve the low blood sugar woes?  Here are some guidelines offered by our brothers and sisters over at American Diabetes Association:

Blood Glucose Level Symptoms Recommended Action
Less than 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) all Consume 15 grams of carbohydrate immediately with such safely permitted sweet candies like Reese’s peanut butter cups. Wait fifteen minutes then check blood glucose levels again . If still below optimal sweep into next batch starting from top.”
Between 70-100 mg/dL (3.9 -5.6 mmmol/L) n/a Congratulations! The end is near where stable performance highly likely without sudden shifts

Alternatively start incorporating. 

If unable incapable susstaining normal range of no more t han few hours requires immediate attention medical provider consultation suggested.&nbsp

In Conclusion

Low blood sugar may not be a laughing matter but who says we can’t have fun while learning about it? So if you’re feeling that agitation along with intense hunger, keep in mind your body wants to tell you something important: (a very loud cry!) “Hey buddy,I Need Fuel!”

Remembering maintaining healthy lifestyle choices along snacking on health foods while keeping a distance from processed sugary snacks should guarantee you longer period of steady energy lengths without worrying to much about any sugar woes.

Thanks for reading , oh and don’t forget :when life hands you lemons or chenaar, make that lemonade or Rabri -only once-, and dive into those complex carbs with reckless abandon. After all, your body is your temple (including the furnace burning it.) Savour in moderation an enjoy every bite!

Citations:
(1) https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/hormones-in-diabetes  
(2) https://medlineplus.gov/glucagon.html 
(3)https://ijahsp.nova.edu/articles/Vol10Num4/pdfMoretti174-180.pdf 
(4)https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/eating-with-hypoglycemia#Outlook   

  • (5) R Grundy,“Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among women with polycystic ovary syndrome”, Fertility and Sterility 78 (2002) pp. 237-42
  • Disclaimer: The above article represents solely as entertainment purposes meant strictly playful content educating not proposing a definite approach towards situations possibly occuring near future.  Also would like remind masses taking in account extensive individual circumstances/symptoms varies widely so always consult medical advice tailored specifically onto personal routines.

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