Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) - Introduction

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Definition:

A low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia or an insulin reaction, is defined as a blood glucose level below 60 to 70 mg/dl. Hypoglycemia occurs when your body's blood sugar, or glucose, is abnormally low. The term insulin shock is used to describe severe hypoglycemia that results in unconsciousness .

The main types of Hypoglycemia are:

Fasting low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This type occurs when you have not eaten for many hours, such as overnight. It is frequently associated with having too much insulin in the blood.
Non fasting low blood sugar. This type develops within 3 to 4 hours after eating. It can be caused by hereditary enzyme deficiencies such as galactosemia or by surgery to remove all or part of the stomach.

Hypoglycemia can produce a variety of symptoms and effects but the principal problems arise from an inadequate supply of glucose to the brain, resulting in malfunctioning in the brain. This malfunctioning can lead to the condition of coma and death.

In healthy men, the blood glucose can drop to 55 mg/dl after 24 hours of fasting and to 48 mg/dl after 72 hours of fasting. In healthy women, glucose levels can be as low as 35 mg/dl after only 24 hours of fasting.

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