Recent publicity in the popular press has led the public to believe that there is a widespread and unrecognized occurrence of hypoglycemia in this country. Furthermore, it has been suggested repeatedly that the condition is causing many of the common symptoms that affect the American population. These claims are not supported by medical evidence. Because of the possible widespread misunderstanding about the matter, three organizations of physicians and scientists (the American Diabetes Association, The Endocrine Society, and the American Medical Association) have issued the following statement concerning the diagnosis and treatment of hypoglycemia:
Hypoglycemia means a low level of blood sugar. When it occurs, it is often attended by symptoms of sweating, shakiness, trembling, anxiety, fast heart action, headache, hunger sensations, brief feelings of weakness, and, occasionally, seizures and coma. However, the majority of people with these kinds of symptoms do not have hypoglycemia; a great many patients with anxiety