Hypoglycemia (common usage)
Encyclopedia
In modern Western culture, "hypoglycemia" has taken on a colloquial meaning distinct from the medical condition of that name
. Whereas the medical usage is defined by measurable low blood glucose
, this common usage is used to describe a condition characterized by shakiness, moodiness, brain fog
, crashes, and so forth, a condition for which a low blood glucose at time of symptoms is not required for diagnosis, carries no risk of death or brain damage, and which is treated mainly by eating habit
changes rather than glucose
, glucagon
, drugs
, hormones, or surgery.
The scientific medicine term for this condition is idiopathic postprandial syndrome
.
s include many of the symptoms associated with milder degrees of hypoglycemia
, especially the adrenergic
symptoms, but do not progress to objective impairment of brain
function, seizures, coma
, or brain damage.
for type 1 diabetes mellitus.
perspectives on, and definition, of hypoglycemia is whether a measured low glucose at time of symptoms is considered necessary for the diagnosis. In popular culture, folk medicine, and alternative medicine contexts, a diagnosis of hypoglycemia does not require that the Whipple criteria be met. As a result of this difference in definition and diagnostic criteria, many people who are self-diagnosed with hypoglycemia, or diagnosed by an alternative practitioner, would not be considered to have hypoglycemia by most physicians with scientific expertise in glucose metabolism, diabetes, or endocrinology.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia or hypoglycæmia is the medical term for a state produced by a lower than normal level of blood glucose. The term literally means "under-sweet blood"...
. Whereas the medical usage is defined by measurable low blood glucose
Whipple's triad
Whipple's triad is a collection of three criteria that suggest a patient's symptoms result from hypoglycemia that may indicate insulinoma...
, this common usage is used to describe a condition characterized by shakiness, moodiness, brain fog
Brain fog
Cognitive dysfunction is defined as unusually poor mental function, associated with confusion, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating...
, crashes, and so forth, a condition for which a low blood glucose at time of symptoms is not required for diagnosis, carries no risk of death or brain damage, and which is treated mainly by eating habit
Diet (nutrition)
In nutrition, diet is the sum of food consumed by a person or other organism. Dietary habits are the habitual decisions an individual or culture makes when choosing what foods to eat. With the word diet, it is often implied the use of specific intake of nutrition for health or weight-management...
changes rather than glucose
Glucose
Glucose is a simple sugar and an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as the primary source of energy and a metabolic intermediate...
, glucagon
Glucagon
Glucagon, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, raises blood glucose levels. Its effect is opposite that of insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels. The pancreas releases glucagon when blood sugar levels fall too low. Glucagon causes the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose, which is...
, drugs
DRUGS
Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows are an American post-hardcore band formed in 2010. They released their debut self-titled album on February 22, 2011.- Formation :...
, hormones, or surgery.
The scientific medicine term for this condition is idiopathic postprandial syndrome
Idiopathic postprandial syndrome
Idiopathic postprandial syndrome is a medical term describing a collection of symptoms popularly attributed to hypoglycemia but without demonstrably low blood glucose levels.People with this condition suffer from recurrent episodes of altered mood and cognitive...
.
Symptoms
The symptomSymptom
A symptom is a departure from normal function or feeling which is noticed by a patient, indicating the presence of disease or abnormality...
s include many of the symptoms associated with milder degrees of hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia or hypoglycæmia is the medical term for a state produced by a lower than normal level of blood glucose. The term literally means "under-sweet blood"...
, especially the adrenergic
Adrenergic
An adrenergic agent is a drug, or other substance, which has effects similar to, or the same as, epinephrine . Thus, it is a kind of sympathomimetic agent...
symptoms, but do not progress to objective impairment of brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
function, seizures, coma
Coma
In medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
, or brain damage.
- Shakiness
- Sense of weakness
- Altered or depressed mood
- Confusion, brain fogBrain fogCognitive dysfunction is defined as unusually poor mental function, associated with confusion, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating...
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Paleness
- Perspiration
- Increased pulse or respiratory rate
- Hunger
Theoretical pathophysiology
It is assumed by most patients and practitioners who find this diagnosis useful that the symptoms reflect a rapid fall of the glucose caused by temporary excess insulin secretion by the pancreas.Diagnosis
The diagnosis is typically based on the symptoms. In this type of hypoglycemia there is no objective alteration of glucose metabolism that distinguishes sufferers from the normal population. The diagnosis is often made by the person suffering from the problem after being exposed to a description of the condition. In some cases elaborate glucose testing, including prolonged oral glucose tolerance tests are performed, but in most cases are not demonstrably abnormal.History
This condition had its roots in American conventional medicine but became separated by the 1970s. The adverse effects of low blood sugar levels on animals was recognized during research that led to the use of insulinInsulin
Insulin is a hormone central to regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle....
for type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Relationship to modern scientific medicine
The principal difference between the scientific and the alternative medicineAlternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
perspectives on, and definition, of hypoglycemia is whether a measured low glucose at time of symptoms is considered necessary for the diagnosis. In popular culture, folk medicine, and alternative medicine contexts, a diagnosis of hypoglycemia does not require that the Whipple criteria be met. As a result of this difference in definition and diagnostic criteria, many people who are self-diagnosed with hypoglycemia, or diagnosed by an alternative practitioner, would not be considered to have hypoglycemia by most physicians with scientific expertise in glucose metabolism, diabetes, or endocrinology.