Yes, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is the opposite
of the
hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) that characterizes diabetes. Certain treatments
for diabetes and several
conditions unrelated
to
diabetes
can cause
hypo- glycemia. The most
common form of hypoglycemia occurs in otherwise healthy young individuals, more commonly in women than
men, and is quite benign, although it can be associated with distressing symp- toms. Fortunately, it is usually treatable by adjustment
of the composition and timing
of meals. Sometimes, hypoglycemia can be caused by serious conditions and your doctor will
be able to determine whether you are one of the small percentage of people who needs fur- ther investigation and specialist referral.
It
is important to note that hypoglycemia
can be an early feature of diabetes. This type of hypoglycemia occurs in people with prediabetes (see Question 9) who are resistant to
the action of insulin
and yet are still capable of mounting a vigorous insulin
release from the pancreas to overcome it. In the later stages of absorption of calories from a meal, the insulin
levels may
remain high as the blood glucose
level is falling quite rapidly. This may lead to a temporary but some- times distressing period of low blood sugar that usually occurs about 3 to 5 hours after a meal. It tends
to resolve if the prediabetes progresses to frank diabetes, but in some people, it may persist for some years. It is also often
treatable by dietary adjustment or other means.
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