Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar (glucose) drops to a low level. It can involve a variety of symptoms including shaking or trembling, light-headedness, weakness, headache, irritability or agitation, fatigue and hunger. It’s important to pay attention to symptoms such as these and others, and to note whether they are alleviated by eating. If this is the case, you may be suffering from hypoglycemia. A blood chemistry panel may reveal a low glucose level, but it is also possible to experience hypoglycemia without glucose levels testing below normal range.

Blood sugar drops can result from several things, including taking certain medications, dietary imbalances, extreme exercise or activity, or in the case of diabetes. Oftentimes hypoglycemia will occur because an individual is unable to absorb nutrients properly. They’re eating plenty, but their bodies cannot take advantage of the nutrients in the food being consumed.

Problems with nutrient absorption can be the result of food sensitivities or allergies. If your body is reacting to food you’re eating with an immune response, poor nutrient absorption can result. You may feel hungry soon after eating, or experience symptoms of hypoglycemia just a few hours after eating even a very substantial meal. To improve nutrient absorption, comprehensive testing is required to identify food intolerances and any related digestive issues. When problematic foods are avoided and the gut has an opportunity to heal, hypoglycemia may be resolved.

Regardless of the cause, hypoglycemia isn’t typically a simple problem. Rather, it’s a complex one that demands careful evaluation to determine why it’s happening and what can be done to stop it. All of the cells in the body rely on glucose for energy and to function properly. In the case of low glucose levels, additional imbalances or dysfunctions may be occurring in various systems throughout the body. A comprehensive assessment can help by identifying the condition’s cause(s), so the problem can be addressed in its entirety.

Functional neurology is a great choice for evaluation and care if you’re struggling with hypoglycemia or think you might be. A functional neurologist will rely on advanced testing and a thorough examination of your symptoms and health history to determine what is going on with your health. The goal will be finding the cause for why you feel the way you do.

Once the reason for your symptoms is identified, a customized plan of therapeutic support can help restore balance and proper function throughout the systems in your body that are involved in blood sugar issues. Lifestyle interventions, nutritional support, dietary changes and other types of natural therapies can help your body begin to heal itself. Functional neurology can give you the benefit of lasting solutions, so you feel your best long into the future.