Hypoglycemia

Not to be confused with the opposite disorder, hyperglycemia.

Hypoglycemia is when the level of blood sugar is lower than normal. A normal blood sugar level is about 70 to 100 milligrams per deciliter.

Hypoglycemia
Other namesHypoglycaemia, hypoglycæmia, low blood glucose, low blood sugar
Hypoglycemia (left) and normal blood sugar concentration (right)
Medical specialtyEndocrinology
SymptomsHeadache, blurred vision, shakiness, dizziness, weakness, tiredness, sweating, clamminess, fast heart rate, pounding heartbeat, nervousness or anxiety, hunger, nausea, pins and needles sensation, difficulty talking, confusion, unusual behavior, lightheadedness, pale skin color, seizures[1][2][3][4][5]
ComplicationsLoss of consciousness, death
Usual onsetRapid[1]
CausesMedications (insulin, glinides and sulfonylureas), sepsis, kidney failure, certain tumors, liver disease[1][6]
Diagnostic methodWhipple's triad: Symptoms of hypoglycemia, serum blood glucose level <70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), and resolution of symptoms when blood glucose returns to normal[2]
TreatmentEating foods high in simple sugars
MedicationGlucose, glucagon[1]
FrequencyIn type 1 diabetics, mild hypoglycemia occurs twice per week on average, and severe hypoglycemia occurs once per year.[3]
DeathsIn type 1 diabetics, 6–10% will die of hypoglycemia.[3]

All of the cells in the body need sugar to do their jobs and to survive. When a person does not have enough blood sugar, their body cannot work normally.

Hypoglycemia can cause many symptoms. Some common symptoms are:

Bad hypoglycemia can make a person act like they are drunk or have taken drugs. Very bad hypoglycemia can look like a stroke. Very bad (severe) hypoglycemia can cause serious medical problems (like seizures) or even death if it is not treated quickly enough.

Hypoglycemia can happen to anyone, at any age, but it usually happens in people who are diabetic. It is often a complication of treatment for diabetes with insulin or oral medications. The brain and other parts of the body cannot work without sugar.

Hypoglycemia is treated by raising the blood sugar levels back to normal. Often, a hypoglycemic person can bring their blood sugar levels back up by eating. In the worst cases, when the blood sugar is very low, hypoglycemia is treated by giving sugar water intravenously. In some cases, the liver is able to handle the issue by making glucose.[7][8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). "Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)". NIDDK.nih.gov. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cryer PE, Axelrod L, Grossman AB, Heller SR, Montori VM, Seaquist ER, Service FJ (March 2009). "Evaluation and management of adult hypoglycemic disorders: an Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 94 (3): 709–728. doi:10.1210/jc.2008-1410. PMID 19088155.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Jameson JL, Kasper DL, Longo DL, Fauci AS, Hauser SL, Loscalzo J (2018). Harrison's principles of internal medicine (20th ed.). New York. ISBN 978-1-259-64403-0. OCLC 1029074059.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ↑ Young VB (2016). Blueprints medicine. William A. Kormos, Davoren A. Chick (6th ed.). Philadelphia. ISBN 978-1-4698-6415-0. OCLC 909025539.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ↑ American Diabetes Association (ADA). "Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)". www.diabetes.org. Archived from the original on 13 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  6. ↑ Yanai H, Adachi H, Katsuyama H, Moriyama S, Hamasaki H, Sako A (February 2015). "Causative anti-diabetic drugs and the underlying clinical factors for hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes". World Journal of Diabetes. 6 (1): 30–36. doi:10.4239/wjd.v6.i1.30. PMC 4317315. PMID 25685276.
  7. ↑ "Gluconeogenesis - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics". www.sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  8. ↑ "Glycogenolysis | biochemistry". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2021-05-04.


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