A Western and Eastern Approach to Hypoglycemia

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A Western and Eastern Approach to Hypoglycemia

 

Western Medicine

 

Hypoglycemia is abnormally low levels of sugar (glucose) in the

blood. A low blood glucose level can occur when your blood glucose

drops below a certain level (usually less than 4 mmol/L).

Hypoglycemia literally means " low blood sugar " and is often mistaken

for a disease when it is actually a symptom.

Normally, the body maintains the levels of sugar in the blood within

a range of about 70 to 110 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of blood.

In hypoglycemia, the sugar levels in the blood become too low. In

diabetes mellitus, the sugar levels in the blood become too high, a

condition called hyperglycemia. Although high levels of sugar in the

blood characterize diabetes, many people with diabetes periodically

experience hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is uncommon among people

without diabetes.

 

Low levels of sugar in the blood interfere with the function of many

organ systems. The brain is particularly sensitive to low sugar

levels, because sugar is the brain's major energy source. If the

sugar levels in the blood fall far below their usual range, the brain

responds by stimulating the adrenal glands to release epinephrine

(adrenaline), the pancreas to release glucagon, and the pituitary

gland to release growth hormone, all of which cause the liver to

release sugar into the blood.

 

Ingested sugars and carbohydrates trigger a release of the hormone

insulin from the pancreas. Insulin helps the body turn sugars into

energy and stored fats. In some people, the amount of insulin

released is too high for the amount of carbohydrates ingested,

resulting in too much sugar being burned up too quickly. A net loss

of blood sugar results. In hypoglycemia attacks, there is too much

insulin and not enough blood sugar, causing fatigue, weakness, loss

of consciousness, and even death.

 

There are three general types of hypoglycemia. Two of them are rare

organic forms involving the pancreas. The third and most common form

is called functional hypoglycemia (FH) and is usually caused by an

inadequate diet too high in sugar and refined carbohydrates.

 

Hypoglycemia may be better described as carbohydrate intolerance: the

body is unable to absorb certain carbohydrate loads effectively

without adverse consequences. Different people react differently to

ingested sugars and starches, with some individuals having a higher

tolerance level than others.

 

The kidneys involve the regulation of electrolyte balance of sodium

and potassium, necessary for the circulation of bioelectrical energy

throughout the body. The kidney involves the secretion of

glucocorticoid hormone, cortisol, from the adrenal cortex. Kidneys

involving adrenaline secretions of the adrenal medula, also involve

other endocrine functions including the pituitary and thyroid glands.

The prominent hormone-regulating role played by the adrenals is

important in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system.

 

Causes

 

Drugs: Most cases of hypoglycemia occur in people with diabetes and

are caused by the insulin or other drugs. They tend to lower the

levels of sugar in their blood. People with diabetes sometimes call

the hypoglycemia that can occur after taking insulin an " insulin

reaction " or " weak or shaky. " Insulin reactions are more common when

intense efforts are made to keep the sugar levels in the blood as

close to normal as possible. People who are losing weight or who

develop kidney failure are more likely to have hypoglycemia. Older

people are more susceptible than younger people to hypoglycemia

resulting from sulfonylurea drugs.

 

Many drugs other than those for diabetes, most notably Pentamidine,

used to treat a form of pneumonia that occurs most seen in HIV, and

quinine, used to treat muscle cramps, can cause hypoglycemia.

An uncommon type of drug-related hypoglycemia sometimes occurs in

people with Münchausen syndrome, who secretly take insulin or other

drugs as part of their attention-seeking behavior

 

Fasting: In fasting hypoglycemia, the body is not able to maintain

adequate levels of sugar in the blood after a period without food.

Prolonged fasting and prolonged strenuous exercise, even after a

period of fasting, are unlikely to cause hypoglycemia in otherwise

healthy people, but they can do so occasionally.

 

There are several diseases or conditions that can cause fasting

hypoglycemia. In people who drink heavily without eating, alcohol can

block the release of stored sugar from the liver. In people with

liver disease, such as viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, or cancer, the

liver may not store sufficient sugar. Infants and children who have

an abnormality of the enzyme systems that control sugar use also may

have fasting hypoglycemia.

 

Reaction to Eating: Hypoglycemia can occur as a reaction to eating,

usually carbohydrates. The body's response to food is excessive, so

the body produces more insulin than is needed.

 

After certain types of stomach surgery, such as removal of part of

the stomach, sugars are absorbed very quickly, stimulating excess

insulin production. Problems with digestion of some sugars (fructose

and galactose) and amino acids (leucine) may also cause reactive

hypoglycemia. An uncommon form of reactive hypoglycemia can occur

after drinking alcohol in combination with sugar (for example, a gin

and tonic).

 

Other Causes: Some causes of hypoglycemia seem to have no specific

relation to food, but fasting or vigorous exercise can trigger or

worsen an episode of hypoglycemia. Rarely, a tumor in the pancreas

can produce large amounts of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia. In

some people, an autoimmune disorder lowers sugar levels in the blood

by changing insulin secretion or by some other means. Disorders that

lower hormone production by the pituitary and adrenal glands (most

notably Addison's disease) can cause hypoglycemia. Certain severe

diseases, such as kidney or heart failure, cancer, and shock, may

also cause hypoglycemia, particularly in a person who is also being

treated for diabetes. Hypoglycemia is associated with anxiousness,

and seen in asthmatics, in fact, most all asthmatics are hypogylcemic

though not all hypoglycemics are asthmatic.

 

Alternative Therapies

 

Hypoglycemia:

How to treat low blood glucose

(As recommended by the American Diabetes Association)

 

Check your blood glucose. If you do not have your meter with you

treat the symptoms anyway. It is better to be safe. Eat or drink a

form of sugar such as:

*3 B-D Glucose Tablets or 5 Dextrose Tablets

*6 Life Savers

*3/4 cup of juice or regular soda

*1 tablespoon of honey.

Wait 10 to 15 minutes, then test your blood glucose again.

 

 

Nutrition & diet: What, when and how much you eat play an important

role in regulating how well your body manages blood sugar levels.

Eat three meals and a bedtime snack each day.

Include a food from each of the food groups at each meal.

If you are thirsty drink water or diet pop.

If you are overweight, eat smaller portions. Reduce your intake of

fat.

Keep sweet and fatty foods to a minimum.

 

Stay active: Regular exercise helps your body lower blood sugars,

promotes weight loss, reduces stress and enhances overall fitness.

Talk to your doctor about diabetes. If you have diabetes, learn how

to adjust your insulin and food to prevent low blood glucose levels

while exercising.

 

 

Eastern Medicine

 

Etiology

 

Most patients, whether male or female, young or old, suffer from

digestive complaints. Because the spleen and stomach are the root of

Qi and blood, and because the spleen and stomach govern the upbearing

and downbearing of the entire body's Qi mechanism, if the spleen and

stomach are in disharmony, this can affect any of the other viscera

and bowels and, therefore, any other function in the body. For this

reason, it's almost always appropriate to begin a patient's treatment

by correcting any digestive complaints or irregularities.

 

Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang can be seen as frequent cloudy urination,

five center heat sensation, thirsty, cold feeling, aversion to cold,

weak lower back and knees, impotence, amenorrhea, night sweat,

spontaneous sweat, dry/dull complexion. In TCM, the concept of the

`kidney', as the home of the `ancestral Qi' or our inherent

constitution, is the root of yin and yang for the entire body.

 

 

Traditional Chines Medicine Patterns

 

Liver Qi Stagnation

Depression, fullness of abdomen, pain and a tight feeling in the

chest, irregular menstruation. Reddish tongue with whitish fur, tight

and thready pulse.

 

 

Treatment principle: Sooth depressed Liver Qi to relieve emotional

depression.

 

Acupuncture treatment

Points: G B 24, Liv 14, BL19, GB 34, St 36, St 41, Ren 4, Ren 17

 

Formula: Chai Hu Shu Gan San

 

 

Deficiency of liver and kidney

Shortness of breath, bad dreams, depression, indigestion, fatigue,

overweight, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, tongue with white

fur, thready and weak pulse.

 

Treatment principle: Tonify and nourish the liver and kidney.

A

cupuncture Treatment

Points: Pc 6, H t 7, Sp 6, UB 20, UB 23, Lv 3, St 10, Sp 4.

 

Formula: Yi Guan Jian

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

Peacefulmind.com

ProAcuMed.com

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