What is the difference between hypoglycemia and diabetes

In both cases, eating can help stabilize your blood sugar. On the other hand, ongoing problems with nondiabetic hypoglycemia not related to food intake might indicate a decrease in insulin production. This may be related to issues with your:.

Everyone reacts differently to fluctuations in their blood sugar levels. Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include :. Reactive hypoglycemia occurs within a few hours after a meal. An overproduction of insulin causes reactive hypoglycemia. Causes of nonreactive, or fasting, hypoglycemia include:.

Although rare, a tumor of the pancreas can cause the body to make too much insulin or an insulin-like substance, resulting in hypoglycemia. Hormone deficiencies can also cause hypoglycemia because hormones control blood sugar levels. Dumping syndrome also occurs in patients who have had gastric bypass surgery. In late dumping syndrome, the body releases excess insulin in response to carbohydrate-rich meals.

That can result in hypoglycemia and related symptoms. If you have diabetes, there are several reasons you may experience hypoglycemia. Causes of hypoglycemia include:.

Causes of hypoglycemia without diabetes include:. Hypoglycemia without diabetes can occur in both children and adults. Your doctor will need to identify the cause of your hypoglycemia to determine the right long-term therapy for you.

Glucose will help boost your blood sugar levels in the short term. One way to get additional glucose is to consume 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Drinking fruit juice is an easy way to get extra glucose into your bloodstream. These sources of glucose often briefly correct hypoglycemia, but then another drop in blood sugar often follows. Eating foods that are high in complex carbohydrates , such as pasta and whole grains, will sustain blood sugar levels after a period of hypoglycemia.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia can become so severe that they interfere with daily routines and activities. If you have severe hypoglycemia, you might need to carry glucose tablets or injectable glucose glucagon. Your doctor may ask you to take a fasting test. When large blood vessels are affected, it can lead to:. Joseph Monks , who has diabetic retinopathy , creates and produces films for his production company Sight Unseen Pictures. He is also the first blind filmmaker to direct a feature film.

The lights went out for me in early as a result of diabetic retinopathy—the death of my retinas. Learn more about the wide range of artistic and cultural activities you can continue to pursue with low vision and blindness:. They may need to adjust your medication.

If you have mild hypoglycemia, consuming a small amount of glucose like a glucose tablet, fruit juice, or a piece of candy can quickly raise your blood sugar. If you skipped a dose of medication and have symptoms of mild hyperglycemia, taking your insulin or diabetes medication can help stabilize your blood sugar level. Low blood sugar and high blood sugar can both lead to life threatening complications.

Having high blood sugar levels is a common problem. Here are 15 natural ways to lower your blood sugar levels. Your body creates blood sugar from the food you eat. Learn about this process and what affects your blood sugar. Blood sugar spikes are when your blood sugar rises and then crashes after eating. This article explains 12 simple ways to avoid blood sugar spikes.

Several methods can reduce high blood sugar levels at home. Here's how to lower blood glucose, when to go to the emergency room, and when to see a…. Diabetes is more prevalent in certain racial and ethnic groups, including Black Americans. This may be due to genetic, social, and health factors. NPH insulin is an intermediate-acting insulin that helps keep your blood sugar stable between meals or overnight. Learn more about how long it takes….

Human insulin is synthetically made in a lab and is able to replicate the insulin naturally found in your body. Learn more about the pros and cons of…. Show references American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes — Diabetes Care.

Low blood glucose hypoglycemia. Accessed Feb. Melmed S, et al. In: Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. Elsevier; Hypoglycemia low blood sugar. American Diabetes Association. Mahoney GK, et al. Severe hypoglycemia attributable to intensive glucose-lowering therapy among US adults with diabetes: Population-based modeling study,