No medical cure for Hypoglycaemia talk – Part 1

Hypoglycaemia Society public lecture, Kogarah Library, 17th August 2013

No medical cure for Hypoglycaemia. Awareness and prevention is the answer.

Hypoglycaemia means low blood sugar and is caused by excess insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas). Insulin causes the cells to absorb glucose from the blood. However, excessive insulin removes “free” glucose from the blood and therefore reduces the amount available for other important parts of the body, such as the brain. Typically a hypoglycaemic person after ingesting sugar or caffeine may get a spike in blood sugar levels, then in about two hours a low. During this low the brain is not receiving enough energy (glucose in the blood), and this leads to incorrect function of the brain. This affects energy and mood levels and can lead to more serious long term problems such as anxiety, chronic fatigue and depression. A key symptom is disturbed sleep at about 2am, as the blood sugar levels drop so low that adrenaline is released to bring the blood sugar levels back to normal, causing the person to wake up.

When blood sugar levels fall too low, the brain is impaired. If the levels are too high, then arteries are damaged and long term this may lead to a heart attack and/or stroke.

This condition can lead to insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.

http://www.seymourdental.com.au/2012/11/12/hypoglycemia-and-the-dentist/

Hypoglycaemia effects on the:

Dental visit – modifies anxiety response:

• Possible sensitivity to adrenaline in local anaesthetic
• Fight or flight response – leads falling in a heap and drop as free glucose levels drop dramatically and then blood pressure levels drop leading to fainting

Diet – aim to prevent type II diabetes, dental decay and maintain a healthy immune system. There is no medical cure for the condition.

However to control, it’s important to follow a hypoglycaemic diet.

http://www.seymourdental.com.au/2012/11/19/hypoglycemia-and-diet-and-the-mouth/

• Dental decay or caries due to excessive sugar leads to selectively growing bacteria that release lactic acid that soften the enamel and eventual the breaks down to allow the bacteria to eat the next layer the dentine. This weakens the tooth forever. Cracks may occur, the nerve affected and even loss of teeth.
• Dry mouth due to excessive caffeine affects the immune benefits and buffer capacity of the saliva , as well as its ability to replenish the surface of the enamel with calcium compounds.
• The buffer capacity reduces acidity in the mouth due to bacterial activity. Saliva also has special antibodies that fight infection called IgA. Without saliva the decay rate goes through the roof!
• Dry mouth also leads to a softening of the enamel as the surface calcium compounds of the enamel are lost and not replaced. It becomes easier to wear the teeth away. If fact people “play” with the soften surface causing a grinding habit.
• Glucose is the energy for cells including the white blood cells. Poor glucose control leads to “lazy” white blood cells lead to modify the body’s response to gum disease leading to rapid bone loss around teeth.

Next week: No medical cure for Hypoglycaemia talk – Part 2 – The mouth