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Published on: Dec 08, 2021
3 minute read
By: Second Medic Expert

How To Treat Low Blood Sugar?

One should have a small snack every few hours, such as a handful of nuts or fruit. Some other tips are not to eat a high carb dinner and if you must, limit the carbs to 30 grams or so. Finally, it's also important to first take care of any dehydration issue through water consumption prior to consuming juice as this will increase your chances of getting too much sugar fast from all those sugars from the pasteurized juices.

When glucose levels fall low enough that brain function becomes impaired, one exhibits signs and symptoms such as tremors or shaking, slurred speech, unsteady gait (walking), confusion, and agitation; these can be quickly reversed by eating some foods containing sugar like raisins.

Eating more protein will give you a better chance of stabilizing your blood sugar by spiking your insulin levels. Protein has the highest "incretin effect"--it spikes both insulin levels and glucagon, signaling to produce energy stores in the liver. Insulin is the signal for your body to use energy from food, while glucagon signals your body to make energy for itself. Protein also slows down digestion, making glucose available longer after eating it which leads to lower blood sugar spikes following meals.

Include low-GI foods in your diets, such as nuts, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It's also important to get enough protein at each meal - this helps balance hormonal levels of insulin which prevents both high and low blood sugar levels.

Nuts of all types are a great energy food because they're a good source of natural fat and protein with a lower GI than any other snack or dessert. Add some almonds or walnuts into that morning cereal or yogurt for a boost. And try adding an inch-long segmented cucumber to smoothies for flavor and amazing fiber content!

Calorie-dense food is the best choice, so fill up on anything you can find that's high in fat and low in protein. Low-carb food types like cookies, candy bars, ice cream, or peanut butter are your best bets for this. Eat more than you want - just don't overdo it by eating too much sugar if your blood sugar level has dropped too quickly. Smaller meals at regular intervals are also a good idea to avoid any problems with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Glucose, in the form of candy, dark chocolate, or honey. If you break your fast with a smoothie that contains protein and carbs preferably from dairy, then eating these foods next will also help to stabilize your sugars. Alternatively, one could drink fruit juice or non-diet cola (sugar-laden) provided it does not cause distressing hypoglycemia symptoms. You can also eat fresh fruit (bananas and apples). The most effective treatment is the ingestion of glucose however food sources such as potatoes and bananas can also help regulate blood sugar levels albeit to a lesser degree than glucose.

The most straightforward answer is to consume a high glycemic index, low-fat snack - for example, vegetables or some fruit. Beyond that, glucose tablets are an option. These are simply dissolved under the tongue to quickly bring blood sugar levels back up.

It is important to eat when one feels their glucose levels are dropping. Low blood sugar levels often coincide with low energy levels, which means the sufferer may feel lethargic and tired. Eating can help combat these feelings by supplying glucose to the body to restore energy levels.

The recommendation for people at risk for diabetes type II is that they keep food that follows a 1–2-hour rule on hand at all times. This corresponds to what you would eat if you ate 6 times per day between breakfast, lunch, dinner, 2 snacks before bedtime plus an "emergency" snack after waking up in the morning or during afternoon/evening work breaks or right before bedtime.

Do not panic. This may happen if you eat too much sugar, drink iced beverages, or do not eat enough fat. The most important thing is to keep your sugar level up with something like a peanut butter milkshake or brownie. If these are unavailable, use whatever you have on hand (chocolate chips work great!) and make sure to smear it across the tongue with some fat like butter. Always remember that simple sugars are best-- swish them around in the mouth for a while until they dissolve- chewing them can be frustratingly slow and annoying!

You will feel better soon after eating, but if your blood sugar falls again stand relaxed with relaxed muscles- take deep breaths- stay calm- drink fluids. Low blood sugar is an indication that insulin levels are too high, probably because you haven't eaten in a while. Whole foods are better than processed foods when you go periods without eating, but if you have time to grab something, aim for protein. Eggs are great - they're prepared so quickly, and they'll keep the hunger at bay with their balanced nutrition of carbs, fats and proteins. If eggs aren't your thing (or if it's not breakfast time), check out some veggies like celery or bell peppers that will give you quick carbohydrates to stop the cravings in their tracks.

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Chest Pain While Breathing: Causes, Warning Signs, and When to Seek Urgent Care

Chest pain is one of the most alarming symptoms a person can experience, especially when it worsens during breathing. Chest pain while breathing, also known as pleuritic chest pain, often indicates involvement of the lungs, chest wall or surrounding structures. While some causes are mild, others can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

In India, respiratory infections, air pollution, sedentary lifestyles and delayed medical care contribute significantly to chest-related symptoms.

What Does Chest Pain While Breathing Mean?

Chest pain while breathing refers to pain that:

worsens with deep inhalation or exhalation
may feel sharp, stabbing or burning
can be localized or spread across the chest

Pain intensity often increases with coughing or movement.

Common Causes of Chest Pain While Breathing

Lung Infections (Pneumonia)

Pneumonia inflames lung tissue and surrounding membranes.

Symptoms include:

chest pain while breathing
fever
cough
breathlessness

ICMR data identifies pneumonia as a major cause of respiratory illness in India.

Pleuritis (Inflammation of Lung Lining)

The pleura are thin membranes surrounding the lungs.

When inflamed:

breathing causes friction
sharp chest pain occurs

Pleuritis often follows viral infections or pneumonia.

Pulmonary Embolism

A blood clot in the lungs causes:

sudden chest pain
rapid breathing
severe breathlessness

This is a medical emergency requiring immediate care.

Chest Wall Muscle Strain

Muscle strain due to:

heavy lifting
intense coughing
poor posture

can cause pain during breathing or movement.

Costochondritis

Inflammation of rib cartilage causes:

localized chest pain
pain worsened by breathing or pressing on the chest

This condition is painful but not life-threatening.

Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung)

Air leakage into the chest cavity causes:

sudden sharp chest pain
breathlessness

Often seen after trauma or in individuals with lung disease.

Heart-Related Causes

Though heart pain usually does not worsen with breathing, conditions such as:

pericarditis (heart lining inflammation)

can cause chest pain that changes with respiration.

Acid Reflux and Esophageal Spasm

Gastrointestinal causes may mimic chest pain.

However:

pain usually relates to meals
breathing-related pain should be evaluated carefully

Anxiety and Panic Disorders

Anxiety can cause:

chest tightness
rapid breathing
discomfort while breathing

Medical causes must be ruled out before attributing pain to anxiety.

Warning Signs That Require Emergency Attention

Seek immediate medical care if chest pain while breathing is associated with:

sudden onset
severe breathlessness
bluish lips or fingers
dizziness or fainting
sweating
coughing up blood

These may indicate life-threatening conditions.

Risk Factors for Serious Chest Pain

Higher risk occurs in people with:

smoking history
recent surgery or long travel
lung disease
heart disease
clotting disorders

Early evaluation is critical.

Diagnostic Evaluation

Doctors may recommend:

physical examination
chest X-ray
ECG
blood tests
CT scan

Timely diagnosis saves lives.

Why Chest Pain Should Not Be Ignored

Ignoring chest pain can lead to:

delayed treatment
worsening respiratory failure
preventable complications

WHO emphasises early symptom recognition for better outcomes.

Impact of Air Pollution and Lifestyle

Air pollution increases:

lung inflammation
infection risk

Sedentary habits reduce lung capacity, worsening symptoms.

Preventive Measures

Helpful preventive steps include:

avoiding smoking
staying physically active
managing respiratory infections early
maintaining good posture
staying hydrated

Preventive care reduces risk.

Role of Preventive Health Checkups

Regular health screening helps detect:

early lung disease
heart risk factors
chronic inflammation

Early intervention prevents emergencies.

When Chest Pain Is Less Likely Serious

Pain may be less concerning if:

localized
reproducible on touch
improves with rest

However, medical confirmation is still necessary.

Importance of Timely Medical Consultation

Chest pain should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Delaying care can:

increase complications
raise mortality risk

Early action saves lives.

Conclusion

Chest pain while breathing is a critical symptom that should never be ignored. While causes range from muscle strain and infections to serious lung and heart conditions, only proper medical evaluation can determine the exact cause. Early diagnosis, timely treatment and preventive care are essential to protect respiratory and cardiovascular health. When it comes to chest pain, it is always safer to act early than to wait.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Respiratory and Cardiovascular Health Reports
World Health Organization (WHO) – Chest Pain and Respiratory Symptoms Guidelines
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Respiratory Health Data
Lancet – Pulmonary Embolism and Chest Pain Research
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Early Symptom Recognition

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