- Blood sugar - one of the main indicators of human health
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Low blood sugar levels in people suffering from various diseases
Low blood sugar levels (below 3, 3 mmol / l) is hypoglycemia. But some effects of hypoglycemia develop at lower or higher rates. Most often it develops hypoglycemia in diabetic patients with an overdose of insulin
The principles of action of insulin - the science of saving lives
or high physical activity (they lead to a reduction in blood sugar and therefore for the patient's usual insulin dose may be too high). Diabetics are able to cope with such a state - they always carry with them something sweet.
People who do not have diabetes, low blood sugar may occur in benign tumors of the pancreas, the cells which secrete additional insulin. It may cause hypoglycemia as a lack of adrenal hormones (glucocorticoids), severe hepatic dysfunction, abuse of alcohol.
Hypoglycemia manifested primarily by disorders in the brain (brain cells can not exist without receiving energy). There are severe weakness, cold sweats, palpitations, blackouts, loss of consciousness. Hypoglycemia can develop very quickly go into hypoglycemic coma and cause death of the patient.
Patients who for a long time had an increased blood sugar
Blood sugar - a very important indicator
Sometimes develops relative hypoglycemia or false.
The level of sugar in the blood may exceed the normal. But it does not exceed the threshold level at which the sugar is excreted in urine. Patients thus feel weakness, sweating, trembling of the limbs - that is, all the signs of hypoglycemia. This happens because the body gets used to the consistently high levels of sugar in the blood and decrease the risk reacts as hypoglycemia.
When false hypoglycemia immediately take sweets is not necessary, as the level of sugar in the blood and so elevated. In this case, an urgent need to determine the level of blood sugar. If it is higher than normal, it is not necessary to do anything, if lower, to eat something sweet. If the blood sugar investigate currently impossible, in order to avoid hypoglycemic coma should still eat something sweet.
The low level of sugar in healthy humans
The fall in blood sugar levels may occasionally occur in healthy people. Most often it is associated with malnutrition, extreme diets, long breaks in food intake. For example, a variety of extreme weight loss diet is recommended to take three times a day is very small volumes of low-calorie food. As a result, after a few hours in blood glucose reserves end. If the diet lasts long enough, and depleted reserves of glycogen in the liver, which leads to symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Stocks of glucose and glycogen are depleted and the frequent split meals if calorie intake is very low. Missing calories in this case will need to fill in using products with a low glycemic index (meat, fish, dairy).
Sometimes, low blood sugar occurs at high physical loads, when there is an intensive use of glucose by cells of the body. Anyone who is seriously involved in sports knows that in order to prevent attacks of weakness, sweating and shaking limbs need to eat carbohydrates before and after exercise. To do this, issue special sports nutrition. And you can just eat porridge or a dish of vegetables.
Attacks of hypoglycemia may also occur in those who abuse in carbohydrate - and baking sweets.
Upon receipt of such products in the blood sugar rises sharply, it stimulates the secretion and release into the blood of large amounts of insulin. Insulin leads to a rapid decrease in blood sugar and symptoms of hypoglycemia. Frequent use of large amounts of sweets can lead to dysfunction of the endocrine pancreas and the development of diabetes.
Very bad as the frequent use of soft drinks and alcohol. Carbonated beverages contribute very rapid absorption of sugar in the blood, alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly, also increasing the blood sugar. This can cause symptoms of hypoglycemia. Regular stimulation of insulin secretion, leading to a gradual reduction of pancreatic function and the development of diabetes.
In order to avoid hypoglycemic episodes, you should adhere to the principles of healthy eating
Healthy eating - do not limit yourself to eating
: Use an unlimited amount of cereals, vegetables, fruits, vegetable oil, some limit the intake of low-fat meat, fish and dairy products; eliminate fatty foods of animal origin, sweets and pastry, alcoholic drinks.
Especially useful for vegetables, cereals (except semolina) - they contain complex carbohydrates that are slowly absorbed into the blood for a long time a source of energy. Against the background of the reception there is no sudden changes in blood sugar and therefore does not show signs of hypoglycemia
Lowered blood sugar - hypoglycemia signs
. If you still have to use of alcohol, it is best to use them in conjunction with products that include sophisticated ("slow") carbohydrates: alcohol quickly increase blood sugar and complex carbohydrates will keep it for a long time, preventing hypoglycemia.
Meals should be frequent and fractional (small portions). Considered ideal eating 6 times per day. But sometimes this is not possible, then you can eat or 4 times.
It is not necessary to use large amounts of coffee, strong tea and smoking, as contained in coffee and tea caffeine stimulates insulin secretion, and nicotine adversely affects the neurohumoral processes regulating blood sugar levels. Help normalize blood sugar foods rich in essential fatty acids omega-3 group - oily sea fish (salmon, tuna), flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, vegetable oils (olive, sunflower), etc. Regulate blood sugar and seafood, nuts, hard cheeses.
Heavy physical activities (eg, sports) require prior "refueling": it is best to eat in front of the loads of cereal or vegetable stew.