Reactive Hypoglycemia Treatment

Reactive hypoglycemia is a medical condition characterized by recurrent episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia. Unlike hypoglycemia, which occurs when the person is fasting, reactive hypoglycemia normally occurs a few hours after the meal. More importantly, this health condition is not just restricted to people suffering from diabetes, even non-diabetics are vulnerable to this health condition. Its treatment mostly revolves around some simple precautionary measures which help in curbing the ailment over a period.

Reactive Hypoglycemia

Causes: The form of hypoglycemia is normally caused when the blood sugar level drops, irrespective of the food intake, owing to excess production of insulin by the pancreas. Intense exercising, skipping meals (in case of diabetics) is also known to trigger this disorder. Reactive hypoglycemia is further divided into various subtypes, depending on its causes

• Alimentary Hypoglycemia
• Congenital enzyme deficiencies
• Hormonal Hypoglycemia
• Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis
• Late Hypoglycemia

Some studies also reveal that, the ailment is caused due to the lack of glucagon hormone, while some suggest that the sensitivity of the human body to epinephrine causes reactive hypoglycemia.

Symptoms: Most prominent symptoms include dizziness, excessive sweating, headache, sleeplessness, weakness, fatigue, etc. There are chances that these symptoms may further aggravate and lead to more severe complications such as panic attack, heart palpitations and even coma. The person may also experience difficulty in concentrating, irritability and poor coordination. Hunger, increased appetite, craving for sweets are also associated with this ailment. Being aware of these symptoms makes the diagnosis of this ailment easier, owing to which various treatment measures can be initiated faster.

Reactive Hypoglycemia Treatment

Diagnosis is a tough task because as soon as the sugar levels return to normal, the last traces of the fact that you were suffering from an episode of reactive hypoglycemia just a few hours ago also vanish. Researchers are trying their best to figure out a concrete formula for diagnosing the ailment, but as of now their efforts haven't yielded any concrete results. So the medical practitioners are left with no other option but to observe the above mentioned symptoms of the disorder to diagnose it.

The treatment of reactive hypoglycemia is a continuous process which involves several dos and don'ts. High fiber foods with medium to low Glycemic Index should be consumed, while foods high in Glycemic Index should be strictly avoided. These foods are readily absorbed into the bloodstream, due to which the pancreas overreact and produce excess insulin. Foods high in sugar and starch content should also be avoided. Recommended food items include whole grain, meat, poultry, fish, fruit, dairy products, vegetables etc.

Eating small meals over regular intervals throughout the day and exercising regularly also helps to in treatment of this health condition. Ideal diet for this form of hypoglycemia includes foods rich in protein and low in carbohydrates. If this reactive hypoglycemia diet doesn't yield any results the slight modifications will be recommended by the health professional. For instance, adding small amounts of soluble fibers can help in relieving the various symptoms associated with the disorder.

Symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia are similar to the symptoms of several complex diseases, and hence as soon as you observe any of these symptoms you should consult the doctor. We can only hope that the ongoing research will become successful, thus making diagnosis and treatment of this disorder relatively easier.