Hypo

Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by an abnormally low level of blood sugar (glucose), your body's main energy source. Hypoglycemia is often related to the treatment of diabetes. However, a variety of conditions, many of them rare, can cause low blood sugar in people without diabetes.

Causes

Hypoglycemia in people without diabetes is much less common. Causes can include certain medications and diseases, hormone or enzyme deficiencies, diet, and others.

Medications

Taking someone else's oral diabetes medication accidentally is a possible cause of hypoglycemia. Other medications can cause hypoglycemia, especially in children or in people with kidney failure. One example is quinine, a drug used to treat malaria.

Diseases

Some illnesses can cause hypoglycemia, including severe hepatitis, severe kidney disorder, and disorders affecting the adrenal glands or pituitary gland.

Hormone deficiencies

Certain disorders of the adrenal glands and the pituitary gland can result in a deficiency of key hormones that regulate glucose production.

Symptoms

Hypoglycemia symptoms can vary, and can include fatigue, heart palpitations, shakiness, and anxiety.

Treatment

Treatment involves short-term steps to get your blood sugar level back into a normal range and long-term strategies to prevent future hypoglycemia.

See Also

• Diabetes
• Blood sugar
• Adrenal glands
• Pituitary gland

Hypo Resources
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