Blog Series – Hypoglycaemia

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.

In this series we explore the consequences of this condition, such as diabetes, including aspects pertaining to dentistry and how to cope with it. There are other medical conditions that mimic hypoglycaemia that are mentioned in the blog articles below.

As always, do not ignore the symptoms and always SEEK ADVICE and treatment. You only get one life, make the best of it!

• Hypoglycemia and the dentist
• Hypoglycemia and diet and the mouth
• No medical cure for Hypoglycaemia talk – Part 1
• No medical cure for Hypoglycaemia talk – Part 2 – The mouth

Next week: Blog Series – Focus on implants