Hypoglycemia(Low Blood Sugar) Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Hypoglycemia is a condition when glucose (blood sugar) levels are below normal. Generally, a decrease in blood sugar levels of less than 60 mg/dl is considered hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia is one of the acute complications in diabetic patients and is generally related to treatment with sulfonylureas (glibenclamide, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide, tolbutamide) or insulin.
Symptom
There are two types of hypoglycemia symptoms, namely:
- Adrenergic: palpitations, sweating a lot, shaking, feeling hungry
- Neuro-glycopenic: dizziness, restlessness, loss of consciousness (can lead to coma)
Reason
The causes of hypoglycemia can be due to several things, such as:
- Too much insulin production by the pancreas. This overproduction can be caused by consuming too many carbohydrates, tumors in the pancreas, or obesity.
- Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Malnutrition
- Fast.
- Treatment side effects.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of hypoglycemia is confirmed by checking blood sugar levels. There are three criteria that can confirm the diagnosis, namely:
- There are tests that show low blood glucose levels
- There are symptoms
- The disappearance of symptoms once blood glucose levels return to normal
Treatment
Treatment of hypoglycemia is divided based on the patient’s condition.
- In conscious patients: give food containing carbohydrates or drinks containing 15–20 grams of glucose-containing caloric sugar. For example 1 tablespoon of sugar/honey, candy, etc.
- In unconscious patients: immediately taken to the nearest health facility so that a glucose solution can be given by infusion.
Prevention
Preventive measures that can be taken when hypoglycemia occurs are:
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia
- Do regular blood sugar checks
- Eat regularly, don’t delay eating or skip meals
- Don’t eat too few carbohydrates. Your diabetes treatment has been adjusted to your daily food consumption, if you are going to change your diet, you should first consult with your doctor
- Avoid excessive physical activity than usual, because it can increase the risk of hypoglycemia