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Hypoglycemia

What is it?
A person with systematically low levels of blood

glucose (sugar) has hypoglycemia.


Glucose is the body's main energy source. Hypoglycemia is not a disease in itself- it is the result

of an underlying issue or combination of them.

Demographics
Occurs most often in people with Types 1 or 2 diabetes Occurs in men, women, children, the elderly, and even

pets
Not race specific

Genetically dependent (referring to genetic diabetes

Causes of Hypoglycemia
It most commonly happens when a person with diabetes

has taken too much insulin


Lack of glucagon (hormone that is secreted from the

pancreas that raises blood glucose levels)


Excessive alcohol consumption: drinking heavily can block

liver from releasing stored glucose


Tumor of pancreas known as an Insulinoma

Glucagon Alchohol

Insulin

Mild Symptoms
The typical signs of low sugar levels:
Trembling/shakiness Sweating Anxiety Irritability Pallor (face goes pale) Heart palpitations (unregulated pattern) Tingling lips

Severe Symptoms
When the hypoglycemia is more severe the following signs or symptoms are possible:
Concentration problems Confusion Irrational and disorderly behavior (similar to

somebody who is drunk)


Seizures (uncommon) Loss of consciousness (uncommon)

Treatments
Check your blood sugar often, if below 70mg/dl

(milligrams per deciliter) stabilize it by eating:


3-4 glucose tablets
Half of cup of a non diet soft drink 1 cup of milk 5 or 6 pieces of hard candy

Measurements may vary for children

Doctor may also have a treatment plan, meal plan,

medications or physical activities

Diet: DOs
Six meals a day with snack in between Keep a daily account of what you eat Eliminate unhealthy foods: sugar, alcohol, tobacco Keep blood sugar stable

Replace junk food with nutritious

and wholesome foods:

vegetables, fruits, and lean meat are preferred

Diet: DONTs
Do not panic

Dont forget to eat breakfast


Everyone's body is different, dont compare Dont obsess about your diet Dont drink excessive alcohol

Prevention
Checking blood glucose levels - keep a regular check on blood

sugar levels and identify the onset of symptoms.


Eat regularly - keep to your eating routine. Alcohol - a heavy drinking session can trigger hypoglycemia; If

you have diabetes type 1 keep to within the daily alcohol limits recommended by your doctor, and eat something
Exercise - make sure you have eaten some carbohydrate-rich

food before you do any exercise.

Preventions cont.
Be ready - children with diabetes type 1 should always carry a

container of sugary fruit juice or a candy bar so that they are ready if symptoms are felt.
Let people know - if you are susceptible to attacks of

hypoglycemia, let your friends, colleagues and family members know. Explain what the signs are and what should be done.
ID - if you have diabetes, carry an ID form. In case of emergency,

health care providers, emergency services, and others will know what to do sooner.

Complications
Liver disease and/or failure which leads to Jaundice (the

yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and other parts of the body due to waste build-up.)
Insomnia-liver failure causes a build-up of urea and increases

tension.
Seizures (involuntary convulsions)

Complications cont.
Retrograde amnesia (cannot remember things before the

injury)
Comatose state (state of unconsciousness due to a severely

lowered blood glucose level


Death

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