Hypoglycemia Without Diabetes
Hypoglycemia Without Diabetes
Hypoglycemia is what happens when the normal range of blood sugar in the body suddenly drops. There are 2 occurrences of hypoglycemia: hypoglycemia without diabetes and hypoglycemia with diabetes. People suffering from diabetes are at a higher risk of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia often occurs as a side effect of diabetic medications and the intake of insulin. An acute type of hypoglycemia can be caused by skipping meals and/or fasting, drinking too much alcohol, eating small meals, and participating in too many physical activities. However, there are also cases in which people suffer from hypoglycemia even if they don’t have diabetes.
Hypoglycemia Without Diabetes: Causes
Hypoglycemia without diabetes is commonly cause by medications that contribute to significant drops in blood sugar. Quinine, used in treating malaria, is an example of such a medication that causes blood sugar to drop lower than normal for non-diabetics. Aspirin and anti-depressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors could also lead hypoglycemia in non-diabetics. Aside from medications, hypoglycemia without diabetes could also be caused by the constant over consumption of alcohol, especially on an empty stomach.
The following are other common causes of hypoglycemia without diabetes:
- Hepatitis
- Kidney disorders
- Eating disorders
- Tumors that produce insulin in the pancreas
- Enlargement of pancreas’ beta cells
- Pituitary gland disorders
- Adrenal gland disorders
- Gastric bypass surgery
Hypoglycemia Without Diabetes: Symptoms
The measure of hypoglycemia symptoms depends on the rate at which blood sugar drops—which can either be mild or severe. Often, these symptoms are visible when ones blood sugar drops below normal:
- Anxiety and weakness
- Blurry vision
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Hunger
- Loss of consciousness for severe cases
- Nervousness
- Perspiration
- Shakiness
- Speaking difficulty
Hypoglycemia Without Diabetes: Treatment
The treatment for hypoglycemia is dependent on the cause of the hypoglycemia. If the hypoglycemia is caused by diabetes, it is treated according to how diabetes is treated. Similarly, if the hypoglycemia is caused by a kidney disorder, it is treated according to how the kidney disorder is treated. Common treatments for hypoglycemia include eating glucose tablets or candles or drinking fruit juices or liquids containing simple sugars. Severe cases of hypoglycemia may require urgent intake of glucose and/or immediate hospitalization.
Finding out what causes sudden drops in blood sugar in your body could be helpful in avoiding future episodes of hypoglycemia. However, if hypoglycemia without diabetes is related to a serious health condition, consult your doctor to find out what treatment options are available for you.