Hypoglycemia (common usage)

For information about the medical condition caused by measurable low glucose, see hypoglycemia.

In modern Western culture, "hypoglycemia" has taken on a colloquial meaning distinct from the medical condition of that name. Whereas the medical usage is defined by measurable low blood glucose, this common usage is used to describe a condition characterized by shakiness, moodiness, brain fog, crashes, and so forth, a condition for which a low blood glucose at time of symptoms is not required for diagnosis, carries no risk of death or brain damage, and which is treated mainly by eating habit changes rather than glucose, glucagon, drugs, hormones, or surgery.

The scientific medicine term for this condition is idiopathic postprandial syndrome.

Symptoms

The symptoms include many of the symptoms associated with milder degrees of hypoglycemia, especially the adrenergic symptoms, but do not progress to objective impairment of brain function, seizures, coma, or brain damage.

• Shakiness
• Sense of weakness
• Altered or depressed mood
• Confusion, brain fog
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Paleness
• Perspiration
• Increased pulse or respiratory rate
• Hunger

Theoretical pathophysiology

It is assumed by most patients and practitioners who find this diagnosis useful that the symptoms reflect a rapid fall of the glucose caused by temporary excess insulin secretion by the pancreas.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is typically based on the symptoms. In this type of hypoglycemia there is no objective alteration of glucose metabolism that distinguishes sufferers from the normal population. The diagnosis is often made by the person suffering from the problem after being exposed to a description of the condition. In some cases elaborate glucose testing, including prolonged oral glucose tolerance tests are performed, but in most cases are not demonstrably abnormal.

History

This condition had its roots in American conventional medicine but became separated by the 1970s. The adverse effects of low blood sugar levels on animals was recognized during research that led to the use of insulin for type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Relationship to modern scientific medicine

The principal difference between the scientific and the alternative medicine perspectives on, and definition, of hypoglycemia is whether a measured low glucose at time of symptoms is considered necessary for the diagnosis. In popular culture, folk medicine, and alternative medicine contexts, a diagnosis of hypoglycemia does not require that the Whipple criteria be met. As a result of this difference in definition and diagnostic criteria, many people who are self-diagnosed with hypoglycemia, or diagnosed by an alternative practitioner, would not be considered to have hypoglycemia by most physicians with scientific expertise in glucose metabolism, diabetes, or endocrinology.

See also

• Hypoglycemia
• Reactive hypoglycemia
• Idiopathic postprandial syndrome