What Is Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome (IPS)?

What is Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome (IPS)?

Individuals with IPS frequently experience symptoms of low blood glucose even though their blood glucose levels are within the targeted, normal range. Your doctor may recommend making certain alterations to your diet plan to ease your symptoms.

What is IPS?

The IPS full form is Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome. You often feel a lack of energy or shaky post-meal consumption. Initially, you may think you have low blood glucose levels or hypoglycaemia. However, upon checking your blood sugar levels, you realise it is within the normal range.

If this sounds quite familiar, you may have idiopathic postprandial syndrome (IPS). The term ‘idiopathic’ means that the precise cause is unknown, and the term ‘postprandial’ means that the symptoms surface after consuming a meal.

Here, we discuss the causes as well as the symptoms of IPS along with certain recommended strategies to help in managing the symptoms.

What is Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome?

IPS is also sometimes known as pseudo-hypoglycaemia or adrenergic postprandial syndrome. Those with IPS demonstrate symptoms of low blood glucose or hypoglycaemia, generally up to four hours post meal consumption, but the fact remains is that their blood sugar levels are not low. Sometimes, this condition occurs after consuming a carbohydrate-rich meal.

Difference Between IPS and Hypoglycaemia

IPS significantly differs from hypoglycaemia in several ways:

• Blood glucose levels in those individuals with hypoglycaemia fall below 70 mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre). Those with IPS may have blood glucose levels in the normal range after a meal, which is less than 140 mg/dL.
• Hypoglycaemia can lead to damage of the kidneys and nervous system eventually, but this is not the case when it comes to IPS. IPS can wreak havoc in your daily living, but it does not cause long-term damage.
• IPS is much more common in comparison with hypoglycaemia in individuals without diabetes. Most individuals who experience fatigue, tiredness, or shakiness post meals have IPS and not clinical hypoglycaemia.

Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome Symptoms

The symptoms of IPS resemble that of hypoglycaemia, but the severity is generally much less.

The below-mentioned symptoms of IPS can occur after you eat a meal:

• Shakiness
• Nervousness
• Anxious thoughts
• Chills
• Sweating
• A sense of irritability
• Clamminess
• Confusion (as well as delirium)
• Lack of patience
• Rapid pulse rate
• Light-Headedness
• Nausea
• Hunger
• A sense of dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Impaired or blurry vision
• Tingling sensation or numbness in the tongue or lips
• Weakness
• Headaches
• Fatigue 
• A sense of anger coupled with sadness
• Stubbornness
• Loss of coordination

These symptoms of IPS do not generally worsen or progress to seizures, brain damage, or coma; however, these symptoms can manifest in those with hypoglycaemia. In addition, individuals who have hypoglycaemia may not exhibit any notable symptoms in their everyday lives.

Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome Causes and Risk Factors

Researchers are yet to know the precise causes of IPS. That said, the following may lead to the manifestation of the condition, especially in individuals who do not have diabetes.

• Low blood sugar levels that are in the lower levels of the normal range
• Consuming foods that have a high glycaemic index
• A higher blood sugar level that drops rapidly but stays within the normal, healthy range
• A surplus production of insulin by the pancreas
• Illnesses that wreak havoc with the renal system, including the kidneys
• A high intake of alcohol
• An increases sensitivity to specific hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline

Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome Treatment

Most individuals who have developed IPS do not need any specific medical treatment. However, a healthcare professional may suggest that you alter your diet to stabilise your blood glucose levels as well as balance levels of specific hormones such as insulin.

The following dietary alterations could help:

• Consuming high-fibre foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits, and green vegetables
• Consuming lean proteins such as lentils, tofu, and chicken breast
• Consuming numerous small meals throughout the day, with no more than three hours between meals
• Avoiding consumption of large meals
• Consuming foods that are a rich source of healthy fats, such as olive oil and avocados
• Avoiding or limiting the consumption of foods and beverages that have a high percentage of refined carbs or added sugar
• Avoiding soft drinks, such as soda or aerated drinks, as mixers in alcoholic beverages
• Limiting the intake of starchy foods, including white rice, potatoes, and corn

If these dietary alterations do not offer any relief, your doctor may prescribe certain medications. Drugs such as alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (which are prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes) may be especially helpful in treating IPS.

That said, the data on the effectiveness or efficacy of this class of medications in treating IPS is extremely sparse.

When to Consult a doctor?

If you experience certain symptoms of low blood sugar after consuming a meal, you must consult a doctor to get to the root cause of the condition and the best course of treatment.

Additional testing may be needed, especially if the symptoms are severe or if some underlying condition is contributing to the surge in symptoms.

To Sum It Up

IPS stands for Idiopathic postprandial syndrome, whose precise cause is yet to be known. It may be advantageous to keep a track of the foods you consume by maintaining a food diary, especially if you experience anxiety after consuming foods. 

A doctor or dietitian can help in identifying any specific patterns that could lead to the onset of symptoms and providing suggestions for dietary alterations that could be beneficial.

References:

• https://www.healthline.com/health/idiopathic-postprandial-syndrome#when-to-see-a-doctor