Do you feel shaky or jittery if going too long without eating? Are you irritable if a meal is missed? Do you feel tired or weak if a meal is missed? Do you feel tired one to three hours after eating? Do you crave carbohydrates or sweets excessively? Are you calmer after eating? Do you have headaches that are relieved by eating something sweet?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may have a blood sugar problem. Hypoglycemia or hyperinsulinism is defined as low blood sugar. Normally, the pancreas secretes just enough insulin to maintain a small but steady supply of sugar in the blood stream. In hypoglycemics, the pancreas is over-active, and over-sensitive to sugar. As a result, it over-produces insulin. Over time, the pancreas can become depleted and no longer produce enough insulin, resulting in Type II diabetes.

The insulin level in the blood at any one time is critical. Too much all at once can metabolize sugar rapidly, bringing about a drop. Much attention is given to high blood sugar being detrimental; dropping too low can also be dangerous to health. Since the brain and eyes use only glucose for fuel and the central nervous system doesn't store sugar, it is totally dependent on glucose from the blood stream. The CNS is the first to be affected by any fluctuation.

Often undetected by routine medical exams, Hypoglycemia is frequently misdiagnosed as it can mimic or aggravate several other disorders. A six-hour glucose tolerance test can provide a picture of pancreatic function.

For people who have to live with precarious blood sugar fluctuations on a daily basis, the symptoms are very real. They can include: inability to wait for a meal, shakiness which generally starts in the hands, tiredness, weakness, sweating, irritability or outbursts of anger, anxiety, fogginess, inability to concentrate and blurred vision when hungry. Other manifestations include headache or migraine, heart palpitations, sugar cravings, dizziness, mood swings and emotional sensitivity.

There are an estimated 50 to 75 million Americans with low blood sugar tendencies. One can have an isolated hypoglycemic episode, and not have the disease, or it can be a chronic problem. Using a glucose meter at home can provide insights into your
system’s responses.

Typical management of hypoglycemia has been to eat a piece of candy to raise blood sugar levels. In this practitioners opinion, that is the worst thing you can do. That puts you right back on the sugar roller-coaster. As soon as your tongues tastes "sweet", the brain thinks "sugar" and triggers the release of insulin, which wipes out the blood sugar, and leaving you at the bottom again, with the "sugar blues."

What can you do to live with hypoglycemia and prevent further problems? During an episode, the best thing to do to elevate blood sugar and energy is eat a complex carbohydrate. It may take a little longer, but the spikes and fall-outs will be avoided. Proteins digest slower and provide an even steadier stream of energy, and are therefore also good. The best management of all is prevention.

Stay away from refined sugar. Eat plenty of protein as well as getting complex carbohydrates. Eat a diet low in fat, high in fiber, with plenty of fresh vegetables. Eat fruit sparingly and stay away from dried fruit as the sugar is very concentrated. Do not skip meals. Eat smaller meals more often, and take snacks or food with you when you go out. Eat on a time-table, not relying on hunger. Symptoms can come on rapidly. Exercise regularly, as that can help stabilize blood sugar.

Mineral deficiencies may be a culprit in the disorder. Take Chromium Picolinate, which works together with copper and vanadium. Zinc, manganese and magnesium also help the pancreas to function normally. Always consult your health practitioner when embarking on a treatment program.

Kathi Fox is a traditional naturopath, and co-owner of Total Health, a natural health practice. She can be reached at (951) 677-8822.