What is reactive hypoglycemia and how is it related to Fibromyalgia?
Reactive hypoglycemia (RHG) takes place within two to three hours after eating a high-carbohydrate meal. People with RHG have normal blood sugar levels unless they eat excess carbohydrates. This condition is also called insulin tolerance and carbohydrate intolerance. RHG is very common in fibromyalgia patients, and may help contribute to symptoms of fibrofog, fatigue, and cold sensitivity, symptoms associated with hypoglycemia. People with fibromyalgia also often have low levels of growth hormone, which is needed to help process glucose, and convert it into energy.
Symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia include headaches, dizziness, irritability, fatigue, depression, increased sweating, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, nervousness, concentration difficulties, heart palpitations, shaky hands, and carbohydrate cravings. However, RHG occurs only when irregular eating patterns or high-carbohydrate foods upset blood sugar levels in the body.
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