Postprandial hypoglycaemia– drop in blood glucose (blood sugar) levels that occurs typically happens within four hours after eating causes include:
Insulinoma – rare, usually benign tumor made up of abnormal beta cells—the cells that produce insulin needed to maintain normal blood sugar
Excessive intake of insulin by someone who has diabetes
Gastric bypass surgery-which may cause food to pass so quickly through the digestive system that not all of it is digested and therefore is absorbed as glucose into the bloodstream
Hernia surgery
Certain inherited metabolic disorders—specifically known as endogenous hyperinsulinism linked to non-insulinoma pancreatogenic hypoglycemia syndrome (NIPHS) or very rarely, inherited fructose intolerance
Enzyme deficiencies that interfere with the body’s ability to break down food
Disorderly or irrational behaviour like being drunk?
Fast pulse or heart palpitations?
Headaches?
Hungry?
Lack of concentration?
Pale looking?
Shaking or feeling shaky?
Sweating?
Tingling lips?
Tiredness?
Seizure/fits? (Severe hypoglycaemia)?
Loss of consciousness (severe hypoglycaemia)?
If diabetic, beware of ‘sleep’ symptoms:
During the night, you may have hypoglycaemic episodes and not be aware of them.
This is extremely common if you have type 1 diabetes and somewhat common in people with type 2 diabetes.
Your body produces two hormones, glucagon, and epinephrine, that help keep your blood sugar at normal levels. When you sleep, glucagon production generally decreases.
Added to this, type 1 diabetes tends to also disrupt glucagon production, and glucagon decreases with every episode as well:
Symptoms include:
Night sweats?
Nightmares?
Talking or shouting in your sleep?
Restlessness?
Not feeling well rested when you wake up?
A glucose level that’s higher than normal in the morning?
Headache?
verywell Health
Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:
Never give food or drink by mouth because there is a danger of choking. Place them in the recovery position (on their side with their head tilted back and knees bent).
If you have been given a glucagon injection and shown how to use it, inject it as you have been instructed. If not, or the person with diabetes has not recovered within 10 minutes of giving the glucagon injection.
Call an ambulance if you don’t have a glucagon kit available.
If Conscious
Treat your hypoglycaemia immediately with 15–20g of fast-acting carbohydrate:
Small glass of sugary (non-diet) drink
At least three glucose tablets
Five sweets, such as jelly babies (not hard boiled sweets unless one can crush it)
Small carton of pure fruit juice
Glucose gel (only use if you know how to)
Note: Don’t treat your hypoglycaemia with foods that are high in fat such as chocolate and biscuits because the fat will delay the absorption of the glucose and won’t treat the hypoglycaemia quickly enough.
This condition can lead to:
Changes in brain function including seizures if one has repeated episodes of hypoglycemia
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Hypoglycemia (Low sugar levels, Fasting, Diabetics aware if used too much insulin/medication,High level of alcohol consumption) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
The Pharmaceutical Journal covers analysis, features, opinion, learning and careers articles, providing insight and knowledge about drugs, pharmacy practice, medicines use and healthcare policy in the context of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical science.
