The malfunction of the sugar level, may be caused by factors such as emotional and physical stresses, allergies, alcohol, smoking, nutritional deficiencies, overeating, and drugs.

Imbalances in secretions of hormones from the pituitary and thyroid may also be responsible. Studies have shown that caffeinated coffee drastically lowers a hypoglycemic's blood sugar level. Coffee has a stimulating effect on the adrenal glands, that in turn, encourages the liver to release more sugar into the blood. Combining Coffee and sugar is especially harmful. Sugar enters the bloodstream quickly and directly. Coffee, adds to the low sugar level by acting through the adrenals, brain and liver. Cola drinks are also harmful due to the combination of caffeine and sugar.

Alcohol and Hypoglycemia
Alcohol can also induce hypoglycemia. Almost all alcoholics are hypoglycemic. A hypoglycemic can become an alcoholic when they get caught in the vicious cycle of drinking to improve their sense of well being and to be free from the symptoms of low blood sugar. The uncomfortable symptoms experienced with a morning after hangover displays all the classic symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Low blood sugar can become a chronic condition because alcohol reduces the output of glucose by the liver which may exaggerate low blood sugar. When an alcoholic stops drinking he usually substitutes sweets because they are able to achieve 'the same "high".

Smoking
Smoking has also been, shown to cause a rapid rise in blood sugar with just as rapid a drop shortly after the cigarette is put out. Nicotine has been identified as the culprit. A smoker must totally stop in order to return their blood levels to normal and eliminate their symptoms.

Excessive Salt Intake
A diet with excessive salt intake has been found to contribute to hypoglycemia. Salt causes a loss of blood potassium that leads to a drop in blood sugar. Potassium is necessary to correct sugar metabolism abnormalities.

Excessive salt intake causes potassium losses, which results in a drop in the blood sugar level. The low blood sugar level triggers the onset of stress, causing a lot of potassium to be lost in the urine and for sodium, as well as water to be retained in the system.

An excessive desire for salt by hypoglycemics can signal possible adrenal failure. Malfunctioning adrenals allow abnormal salt to be excreted encouraging heavier salt consumption. A hypoglycemic should use a moderate amount of salt as the adrenal glands do need some salt for normal functioning.

Nutritional deficiencies can aggravate almost any ailment. There are several specific nutrients that are involved in sugar metabolism, deficiencies or excesses of these nutrients can cause the organs involved with sugar metabolism to breakdown or malfunction.
Check the vitamin articles in this site to read about the effect, vitamin B and C, pantothenic acid, magnesium, potassium, and B6 have on hypoglycemia.

Emotional stress
Emotional stress can cause hypoglycemia and is characterized by a "flat glucose tolerance curve". When an individual finds no challenge and no sense of accomplishment in pursuing their unpleasant, unrewarding and inescapable duties their body responds to this situation with feelings of aimlessness, disinterest and a loss of zest for life.

They lack motivation, are bored, experience constant fatigue and feel half alive. These symptoms are experienced when the adrenals and pancreas are weak and do not work in coordination with each other. This creates a chronic low grade cerebral starvation.

Flat curve hypoglycemia is not dramatic or extreme. However, if left untreated it may develop into a more serious case of hypoglycemia or into diabetes. It can be treated with lifestyle changes, dietary therapy and psychological counseling. Individuals with this condition often go undiagnosed because they don't feel sick and don't seek treatment.

Hypoglycemia may, aggravate or initiate allergies and allergies may cause hypoglycemia. When an individual is exposed to allergens they may develop Functional and Organic Hypoglycemia.

Types of Hypoglycemia.
-Functional hypoglycemia also referred to as hyperinsulinism is caused by an overactive or oversensitized pancreas and is believed to account for most of t the cases of low blood sugar.

-Organic hypoglycemia is caused by tumors in the insulin producing area of the pancreas, and when the insulin producing area of the pancreas is enlarged. It may also be caused by a defective liver, a diseased or malfunctioning pituitary or adrenal glands.