Hypoglycemia in Children
January 12, 2009 by Marcie
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
For a long time we tried to figure out why our son would wake in the middle of the night ravishingly hungry. Every doctor we visited told us to make him grow out of this “baby” issue and not feed him.
The problem with this was that if we did not feed him he would be up for hours, screaming and crying.
It wasn’t until we visited the Pfeiffer Treatment Center that we figured out the problem. AJ has hypoglycemia, a metabolic disorder associated with low glucose levels. Although he does not have diabetes, he does get nighttime induced hypoglycemia as well as exercise induced hypoglycemia.
To treat his hypoglycemia we use high protein foods and natural fruits instead of high sugar and high fat foods. We avoid high fructose corn syrup because it sends him into a sugar high (and then crash). We try to plan his meals so that he eats at regular times and snacks at regular times. We always carry a carbohydrate and a fruit with us when we travel in the car and as soon as he starts to show any sign of crankiness we give him food (remember, he can’t verbalize his needs to us).
Additionally, Pfeiffer Treatment Center has prescribed essential vitamins and amino acids to help counteract the hypoglycemia and balance his blood sugar.
Treatment of hypoglycemia is achieved by adopting a hypoglycemic diet accompanied with vitamin and mineral supplements (Vitamin C, Zinc, Chromium picolinate, Thiamine (B1) and other B-complex vitamins, see “The Hypoglycemic Diet” ). This helps to stabilize the blood sugar, insulin and stress hormone levels, even out mood swings, rebalance the appetite mechanism, equalize energy intake and expenditure; and halt if not reverse obesity.
The Hypoglycemic Diet is the diet we follow. Note…we do not use cinnamon, as it is very dangerous for children with a salicilate intolerance. It is one of THE HIGHEST spices.
Since we began the Hypoglycemic Diet we have seen a tremendous increase in Little Pickel’s language, overall tolerance for daily life, an increase in sensory tolerances, and an ability to transition much better. So, its working for us.
To see a list of hypoglycemia symptoms check out Wikipedia.
Here is a suggested meal plan for an adult. However, it indicates food in exchanges so it can easily be transfered to a child.
