June 15, 2001
Diagnosis and Symptoms, Hypoglycemia
Question from New Zealand, USA:
A few times a month, about a half hour before dinnertime, I experience a sudden weakness in my whole body, a general feeling of apathy, coldness and a faster than usual heartbeat, and I always feel fine again by the time I have finished dinner. As far as I know I don’t have diabetes. I do drink a lot of coffee (five cups a day) and often crave candy. Do I have hypoglycemia?
Answer:
You might have transient episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Eating a lot of caffeine and candy might indeed cause such a phenomenon, and stopping coffee and all foods containing refined sugars (such as candy) for a few days should allow you to judge their role in causing your symptoms. If these symptoms persist after doing that, I’d suggest you ask your doctor for further help.
MS
