HYPOGLYCEMIA

Hypoglycemia can occur in people both with diabetes and those without. Hypoglycemia can occur in people with diabetes who take certain medications to keep their blood glucose levels in control. Two types of hypoglycemia can occur in people who do not have diabetes: reactive (postprandial, or after meals) and fasting (postabsorptive). Reactive hypoglycemia is not usually related to any underlying disease; fasting hypoglycemia often is.

What is Hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia occurs when your body's blood sugar, or glucose, is abnormally low. The term insulin shock is used to describe severe hypoglycemia that results in unconsciousness.

Hypoglycemia results when your body's glucose is used up too rapidly, when glucose is released into the bloodstream more slowly than is needed by your body, or when excessive insulin is released into the bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas in response to increased glucose levels in the blood, which then reduces blood glucose.

What are the Symptoms of Hypoglycemia?

  • Fatigue
  • General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
  • Nervousness
  • Irritability, or even aggression
  • Trembling
  • Headache
  • Hunger
  • Cold sweats
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Blurry or double vision
  • Confusion
  • Convulsions
  • Coma

How is Hypoglycemia Diagnosed?

Serum glucose, or sugar level in the blood, is low.
If the person is monitoring his/her own blood glucose levels, readings will be low (less than 50 mg/dl).

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

  • Glucose tolerance test
  • CSF collection
  • Blood glucose monitoring

How is Hypoglycemia Treated?

A snack or drink containing sugar will raise the blood-glucose level, and you should see an immediate improvement in symptoms.

If the person's blood-sugar levels are so low that he/she becomes unconsciousness or unable to swallow, this is called insulin shock, and emergency medical treatment is needed. An injection of glucose solution or the hormone glucagon will be given immediately.

In the longer term, you may need to modify your diet so that you get glucose into your body more evenly throughout the day. This may prevent further hypoglycemic episodes. Small, frequent meals with complex carbohydrates, fiber, and fat; and avoiding simple sugars, alcohol, and fruit juice are the type of dietary modifications that may be recommended. You should also eat meals at regular intervals, and balance extra exercise with extra food.

If hypoglycemia is caused by an insulinoma (insulin secreting tumor), surgery to remove the tumor is the best treatment.

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