ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Hypoglycemia

What is Hypoglycemia?

21:54 - 4 May , 2021

Disease

It is an anomaly in which blood glucose levels are below normal parameters. Glucose deficiency, being the most important energy generator in the body, can cause serious complications, so it must be treated immediately to prevent them.

This condition is usually related to treatments to control diabetes; however, its origin can be due to various diseases such as hormonal disorders, the effect of certain drugs that cause a decrease in blood glucose in non-diabetic patients, and an overproduction of insulin generated by tumors in the pancreas. 

When the fasting blood glucose level is below 70 mg/dl it is considered as a warning of hypoglycemia, and it is important to quickly raise the level through the intake of drinks or foods rich in this nutrient, but it is necessary to find the direct cause of this anomaly to establish a treatment focused on solving it.

Signs and symptoms Hypoglycemia

  • Fast and irregular heartbeat.
  • Tiredness and weakness.
  • Paleness.
  • Trembling and anxiety.
  • Excessive sweating.
  • Uncontrolled appetite.
  • Tingling in the face or tongue. 

If proper glucose levels are not restored, symptoms worsen, causing: 

  • Confusion and erratic behavior. 
  • Blurred vision. 
  • Seizures. 
  • Fainting.

Hypoglycemia usually appears before ingesting food, but sometimes it does so after consuming products with too much sugar, triggering an overproduction of insulin. This variety is called reactive hypoglycemia, which can also affect patients who have undergone bariatric surgeries. 

If treatment is not received, over time and after recurrent hypoglycemic episodes, the body gets used to it and stops warning through symptoms, seriously endangering the patient’s life. 

When you have diabetes and experience hypoglycemic events, it is important that you talk to your doctor to regulate the insulin dose, do not do it yourself, as you could lose control of your disease and lead to possible complications. 

Diagnosis and treatment Hypoglycemia

If your doctor knows that you do not use medications that affect your glucose level, it will ask you for readings after long fasts, either at home or in the hospital, to make a proper diagnosis. Also, when you have symptoms, a blood sample will be taken to be studied in the laboratory.

When you have hypoglycemia symptoms you should immediately ingest drinks and foods rich in sugar such as juices, sodas, sweets, and honey. After 15 minutes, take your blood sugar reading and if it has already reached 70 mg/dl, eat light but substantial food to help you stabilize the glucose. 

When severe symptoms appear in which you are unable to eat by yourself, it will be necessary to administer intravenous glucose if you have it on hand, and if not, you should go to the ABC Medical Center Emergency Room. 

If your hypoglycemia is due to a disease that causes it, once the cause has been identified, it must be treated through the appropriate medications or in case it is due to the presence of pancreatic tumors, they will be removed by surgical procedures. 

In the ABC Medical Center Internal Medicine Department, we offer you health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies, from both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments

Internal Medicine
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • topdoctors.es
  • cdc.gov
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlinesplus.gov
  • medicalnewstoday.com
  • clevelandclinic.org
  • medigraphic.com
  • Olivera FD, Ulloa ADA, Rodríguez CA. Hipoglucemia hiperinsulínica en un adulto con nesidioblastosis. Revista Cubana de Cirugía. 2020;59(4):1-8.
  • Ternero-Vega JE, González-León R, Jiménez-de Juan C, et al. Prevención secundaria de hipoglucemias en pacientes diabéticos hospitalizados en Medicina Interna. Med Int Mex. 2021;37(1):25-33.
  • Turcios TSE, de la Cruz CY, Hernández O, et al. Hipoglucemia por hiperinsulinismo endógeno. Rev Cuba Endoc. 2019;30(2):1-14.
  • Nares-Torices MÁ, González-Martínez A, Martínez-Ayuso FA, et al. Hipoglucemia: el tiempo es cerebro. ¿Qué estamos haciendo mal?. Med Int Mex. 2018;34(6):881-895.

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