Hypoglycemia Introduction

To the body, sugar is fuel. Sugar (glucose) keeps the engine running. Without it, activity decreases stressing the body. If the amount of sugar in the blood stream (circulation) is low, hypoglycemia develops. Hypoglycemia means low blood sugar and causes internal stress. The body wants to maintain a normal blood glucose level of 100. To do this, it contracts various organ, endocrine and nerve functions. The liver, pancreas, adrenal cortex, adrenal medullae, pituitary, and sympathetic nervous system all play critical roles in blood sugar regulation. If one or more of these functions fail, blood sugar levels will fall below 70 and can become as low as 50 in extreme cases. This event will cause discomfort that manifests as various symptoms and patterns of symptoms associated with the failed system. Internal shakiness, nervous feelings, lightheadedness, moodiness, emotional sensitivity, restlessness, impatience, irritability, and fatigue can develop. There are additional symptoms unique to the organ, endocrine or nerve origin of the hypoglycemia.