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You don’t need to be a diabetic to experience low blood sugar – also known as hypoglycemia. The condition occurs when the level of sugar (or glucose) in your blood dips too low to accommodate the demands of your body. To avoid the symptoms that often follow, you should become familiar with home remedies for low blood sugar.

Causes and Symptoms

Hypoglycemia takes place when your body quickly uses up all the sugar in your system; glucose is slowly released into the bloodstream; and when too much insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas that reduces blood sugar) is released into the bloodstream. Some newborns experience low blood sugar when they are born to mothers with diabetes. Sometimes, hypoglycemia occurs without any known cause. This is called idiopathic hypoglycemia and is not associated with diabetes. Other causes of low blood sugar include:

• Medications, such as aspirin
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Diseases of the liver [1], kidney, pancreas and adrenal glands
• Family-related metabolic issues
• Complications with stomach surgery

Low blood sugar symptoms usually appear when levels dip below 60 mg/dL with some people feeling the effects above this level. Your symptoms depend on how low your blood sugar level drops. Mild hypoglycemia makes you feel hungry, nauseous, and crave sweets. Other symptoms include nervousness, a rapidly beating heart, sweating, and cold, clammy skin.

Moderate hypoglycemia causes a person to feel nervous, afraid, confused, and quick-tempered. Vision may become blurry and steady walking lessens. Severe hypoglycemia can cause an individual to pass out, have seizures, and slip into a coma [2]. Some people have died because of severe low blood sugar.

Low Blood Sugar Home Remedies

Knowing how to treat symptoms of hypoglycemia can prevent further health complications, especially if you are diabetic. The following home remedies for low blood sugar can save your life or the life of a loved one:

a) Vitamin E:

Increasing foods (such as dry roasted almonds, broccoli, turnip greens, raw mango, dry roasted peanuts, and fruit) that contain vitamin E can improve glycogen storage in your muscles.

b) Apples:

Eating apples has a reputation for lowering blood sugar levels. It is suggested to eat two apples with peels with every meal.

c) Molasses:

Molasses works in the same manner as glucose, which can ease an individual who is feeling faint with low blood sugar.

d) Cooked Grains:

When you need to maintain a normal blood sugar level for a longer period of time, add cooked grains to your plate. The grains slowly release sugar into the blood, even a few hours after mealtime.

e) Number of Daily Meals:

Eating 6 to 8 smaller meals on a daily basis rather than consuming the typical breakfast, lunch and dinner, is often beneficial for an individual with low blood sugar.

f) Raw Nuts:

Eating raw nuts and seeds, such as sunflower and pumpkin, are known to combat the effects of low blood sugar.

g) Drink Liquids:

Drinking liquids help normalize blood sugar levels. It is suggested to choose milk, buttermilk or fruit juices.

h) Avoid Processed Foods:

Refined and processed foods (such as white sugar and flour) can worsen the effects of hypoglycemia.

i) Limit Salt Intake:

Salt is known to contribute to low blood sugar levels, which is why it’s suggested to limit your intake.

j) Relaxation Techniques:

Avoiding stress can help treat low blood sugar. A few suggestions include yoga poses, breathing exercises, listening to your favorite music, and taking a long shower.

k) Fruit Juice:

When you are in need of a quick sugar fix for low blood sugar levels, drink fruit juice. It is suggested to keep a carton of orange juice close at hand.

l) Get Moving:

Exercise allows the body to better control blood sugar levels and enhances the body’s response to insulin and other forms of treatments [3]. This is especially true with diabetics because exercise not only promotes weight loss and decreases body fat, but also prevents further complications from taking place.

Resources

[1] http://health.yahoo.net/channel/hypoglycemia_causes-and-risk-factors
[2] 2 CommentsPosted in Body