Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia (also known as low blood sugar or low blood glucose) is a condition where the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood drops below a certain point (typically below 70 mg/dL). This can occur in people with diabetes, but also in those without the condition. Hypoglycaemia can cause a variety of symptoms and can even be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Hypoglycaemia can be caused by several factors, including:
- Taking too much insulin or other diabetes medications
- Skipping meals or not eating enough carbohydrates
- Exercising more than usual without eating enough
- Drinking alcohol, especially on an empty stomach
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of hypoglycaemia can vary from person to person, but may include:
- Feeling shaky or jittery
- Sweating
- Feeling hungry
- Feeling anxious or nervous
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Sleepiness
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Mood changes, such as irritability or crying for no apparent reason
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for hypoglycaemia involves raising the blood glucose level. This can usually be done by consuming 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as glucose tablets, fruit juice, or regular (not diet) soda. If the person is unconscious or unable to swallow, a glucagon injection may be needed.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Preventing hypoglycaemia involves balancing food intake with medication and physical activity. This may include:
- Eating regular meals and snacks
- Monitoring blood glucose levels regularly
- Adjusting medication doses as needed
- Carrying a source of fast-acting carbohydrates at all times
See also[edit | edit source]
Hypoglycaemia Resources | ||
---|---|---|
|
|
Translate to: East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD