Hypoglycemia

Not all changes in handwriting are due to food allergies. For example, sometimes a child's handwriting gradually deteriorates late in the morning or afternoon. If eating eliminates this problem within a few minutes, it might be evidence of a low blood sugar level or hypoglycemia.

What is hypoglycemia? This refers to a deficiency of glucose (sugar) in the blood. All cases of behavioural and emotional problems should be evaluated for blood sugar abnormalities as well as food allergies and sensitivities, or endocrine imbalances. New medical research supports the view that the effects of hypoglycemia may be behind a significant proportion of mental and emotional disturbances, including hyperactivity, anti-social behaviour, criminal personalities, drug addiction and allergies. In a large-scale study, 200 hyperactive children had low blood sugar often enough that it started or aggravated typical hyperactive behaviour. Many of these children also had allergies to common foods. These were usually those foods that they favour and eat whenever possible. This sets off abnormal behaviours, many of which are the same ones found to be characteristic of underachieving children. In another study with 265 hyperactive children, it was found that glucose tolerance tests were abnormal in 76%. This suggests that abnormal glucose metabolism may be a factor in the cause of hyperactivity.

The following shows the deterioration in Erik's (4½ years old) handwriting late in the morning. Erik was then fed, and within less than ten minutes his writing returned to normal.

(The following section is summarised from Weintraub, 1997:101-104)

What causes hypoglycemia? The two most significant factors contributing to hypoglycemia are diet and emotional stress. The average Western child's diet is almost a prescription for hypoglycemia. Common foods like white bread, sugar and fizzy drinks contain refined carbohydrates which absorb very rapidly into the bloodstream since they require little digestion. Most people fail to recognise that excess table sugar is not the only refined carbohydrate that may lead to hypoglycemia. Excess honey, fruit, fruit juice, dried fruit and sometimes vegetable juice will cause a rapid rise in blood glucose levels.

Stress also affects blood sugar levels. First, stress depletes the B-vitamins and vitamin C, both necessary for proper functioning of the adrenal glands. Stress requires adrenal glands to work overtime yet at the same time strips them of what they need to function. Refined foods also negatively affect the adrenal glands because they are stripped of needed vitamins.

Complex carbohydrates, found in vegetables and whole grains, help to avoid hypoglycemia by replenishing glucose at regular intervals. This keeps the body's energy constant.

A hypoglycemic child often needs to eat every hour or two during school hours, as well as at home, to avoid low blood sugar reactions, which cause recurrent fatigue, irritability, tension, hyperactivity and aggression. One clue in spotting hypoglycemia is the way young children ask for food. Do they request food, or demand it? The latter suggests low blood sugar. It can happen on and off all day, but it is most apt to occur between 10:30 and 11:30 and again between 15:00 and 16:00. Some children are 'impossible' when they awaken in the morning until they eat. Their brains may need glucose (sugar). Other symptoms of hypoglycemia include an inability to concentrate, mood swings, anxiety, depression and being more emotional than usual. Asthma, fatigue, headache, nervousness, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, poor memory and indecisiveness are also frequently reported.

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