The symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia can also be indicative of a slew of other illnesses.
Sometimes referred to as alimentary or postprandial hypoglycemia, reactive hypoglycemia is the occurrence of comparatively low blood sugar levels within a short time of eating a meal that consists of a high concentration of carbohydrates.
Reactive hypoglycemia is one of two primary types of hypoglycemia; the other is fasting hypoglycemia.
The reactions of both types are directly connected to eating (or lack of).
Symptoms of the fasting type occur within approximately five hours of fasting.
Symptoms of the reactive type typically occur within the first few hours of eating.
In some people, the reaction occurs almost immediately after ingesting something.
When that happens, it's usually due to a sugar spike instead of true low blood sugar.
The following list can be used as an overall informative guideline but a conclusive diagnosis can only be made by a physician.
* Double vision or blurred vision - particularly in the absence of any other known cause for visual disturbances * Difficulty sleeping - this includes difficulty getting to sleep as well as remaining asleep.
* Heart palpitations (fluttering) or fibrillation (irregular pulse) * Extreme fatigue that has no other known cause * Headache - ranging from mild to severe * Sweating without any physical exertion or hot, humid weather conditions * Depression, mood swings and feelings of isolation * Light-headedness or difficulty maintaining balance * Agitation, excitement, feeling anxious * Cognitive difficulties - forgetfulness, lack of rational processes and/or the inability to perform simple mental tasks * Flushing of the skin - similar in appearance to rosacea * Craving for sugary foods * Hunger pangs - particularly within a relatively short time after eating a meal * Nausea * Panic attacks with no perceptible cause * Extremities are cool and lacking sensation (numbness) * Confusion, Disorientation * A stuffy nose that's indicative of nasal membrane irritation (rhinitis) * Uncontrollable tremors * Coma can occur in very severe episodes that go unattended.
As you can see, most of the above symptoms can be caused by other factors.
Don't assume that you have reactive hypoglycemia even if you experience more than one.
However, it's highly indicative of having the condition if the symptoms are alleviated and you feel much better after having something to eat.
If eating doesn't help you to feel better, make an appointment with your physician to determine the cause of the symptoms.
Nine out of ten who have hypoglycemia have the reactive type.
There are several underlying contributing factors but it's generally controlled by diet.
Nutritional counseling can be extremely beneficial for those who have the condition and want optimum control over their own well-being through dietary means.
An effective dietary course of action will address the spacing of meals and snacks as well as the menu.
Resolution of the symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia requires ingesting several small meals during the day instead of a few larger ones.
In fact, it's often recommended that there be food intake at least every three hours throughout the day.
The consistent pacing of nourishment provides better balancing of the metabolism.
Fiber-rich foods are preferred over processed and enriched ones.
A wide variety of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meat proteins is usually the goal.
Due to the fact that symptoms vary among individuals, specific treatments follow a thorough assessment by a nutritional specialist.
It's believed that some people remain totally symptom-free for an entire lifetime.
However, it's possible that they attribute the symptoms to other causes.
The above list of the most common symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia might help to change that.