 A web search about hypoglycemia can be frustrating due to conflicting information and controversy. The intention of this website is to give you clear, correct information without hype. I am not trying to sell a book. I am not trying to sell anything. I am sharing information and hoping others will share with me. PLEASE NOTE: I'm wondering if anyone has ever heard of hypoglycemia symptoms suddenly disappearing. My nineteen year old son had reactive hypoglycemia most of his life, but his symptoms went away after a day of rough-and-tumble heavy exercise last September. Please email me at happybod@gmail.com if you have any ideas about why this occurred. Is it hypoglycemia? It is important to understand what hypoglycemia is and the differences between types. All types of hypoglycemia cause the body's cells to be starved of the sugar that is their fuel, including the brain cells. This is why there are a great variety of possible symptoms and many affect thinking and the emotions. Working with your doctor There are other conditions which bring on the same symptoms as hypoglycemia, so it is very important to include a doctor's diagnosis and advice in the treatment. It can be difficult to find a doctor who knows how to diagnose non-diabetic hypoglycemia. Not enough is written in doctors' manuals about reactive hypoglycemia and there is much controversy on this subject. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia was apparently over-diagnosed in the 1970s and a few medical professionals still doubt that it is an actual condition. Managing hypoglycemia Reactive hypoglycemia is usually treated by changes in diet and by eating small meals or appropriate snacks about three hours apart throughout the day. Eating every two hours may be required. This type of diet is often the most conclusive method of diagnosis: if these changes clear up the symptoms, it's a good chance hypoglycemia was the problem. Of course, for reasons already stated, a doctor still needs to be consulted. Be sure to keep in mind that even among reactive hypoglycemics there will be differences as to what foods a person can tolerate etc. About this web site I am not a medical professional: several of my family members are reactive hypoglycemic and I am dedicated to learning about the subject. My college-aged son has become an expert on his own hypoglycemic condition and is advising me about this site. I am making every effort to use reliable sources and provide accurate information. It's too much for me at this point to cite individual references (sorry) but I will post a list of sources as I go along. If there are areas where I am uncertain as to my own understanding of what I am talking about I will clearly tell you so. Please comment if you feel any information is in error or have something that you would like to add. Let me know if this site is helpful to you or if you have suggestions. This is a work in progress and I assume that it will be continually edited and honed as time goes by. If you have a comment please email me at happybod@gmail.com and I'll add it to the page. Google Sites doesn't support comments at this time (except from those who have access to editing the site). There are more comments on other pages, such as the 'What to Eat" page. |
This is from Judith VIA email:
I have non-diabetic hypoglycemia and keep it under control with diet and exercise. I can attest to everything Cat has said. Not only should sugar be eliminated, but use whole grains instead of simple carbs and eat a little bit of protein EVERY time you eat. Don't eat too much of a sugary fruit (1/2 an apple will suffice w/ a bit of low-fat cheese). The minute I cheat, I get depressed, have a crying jag, outbursts, etc. It was diagnosed when I was fourteen after years of fainting, mood swings, headaches, depression, etc.
The worst thing is ignorance in so much of the medical community. Many doctors tell you that if you feel weak to drink some orange juice or eat a piece of candy. Yes, that helps for the moment, but 1 hour later your blood sugar drops faster and farther. A cup of low-fat milk (has less sugar) is much better. Milk absorbs VERY quickly into the body and has protein. If at all possible, always keep nuts, raw broccoli (has as much protein as an egg - 5 g.), a boiled egg, some milk or cheese in a bag with you. I put in a cold pack and always have a stash of something in my car.
I react to my hormone levels and at those times, even eating at regular intervals is sometimes not enough. Exercise every day helps enormously to regulate blood sugar. Being overweight is terrible for blood sugar. I've read cookbooks specifically targeting blood sugar that I think to myself, "If this is what I ate, I'd be in a coma!) Oatmeal is not adequate for breakfast -- it has too many calories and has too much carbohydrates for the first meal. Add fruit to it and you're looking for trouble! Much better are egg whites with veggies and a piece of toast. A slice of deli meat on whole wheat bread with mustard.
-Judith
This is from Jeffery H. in South Dakota VIA email:
I don't know if it matters so much about the doc's familiarity with hypoglycemia. I think the important thing is if the doc listens to you.
So many spots on the net have articles written by docs saying that reactive hypoglycemia is very rare etc etc - but from personal experience, well, I know of several people who have it. If you go on a diet and eat a certain way and your symptoms fade, well, then it doesn't matter so much about the controversies. What matters is that you got better. The worst risk is that you spent all this time eating healthy. I agree that it is important to see a doc though, to rule out dangerous diseases that have the same symptoms.
This is from Sharon VIA email:
Catherine, thank you for all your work. This website is quite a help for my family.
My hypoglycemic husband finds that he does much better if he has some sort of beans in his meal. He can go longer without eating if he eats beans. He also finds that he can eat carbohydrates better if he has beans along with them. For this reason he can eat a fast food burrito and feel OK.
This is from B. Reed VIA email:
I just want to say that this is the best site I've found so far concerning the subject of reactive hypoglycemia. I've been hypoglycemic for years and can relate to much of what is said.