Hypoglycaemia

General description of the disease

This is a pathological condition in which the blood sugar index decreases to a critical level – below 3,33 mmol / l, as a result of which it develops hypoglycemic syndrome.

The glucose level in our blood is formed from carbohydrate-containing foods, from which sugar is extracted and distributed throughout our body. Without this fuel, the human body cannot function. When sugar enters the bloodstream, the pancreas produces insulin, with the help of which the cells in the body get energy from glucose.

With a sudden drop in blood sugar, a person can die in half an hour. The most important thing in such a situation is not to panic. Correct and consistent action will help to avoid the hazard.

Types of hypoglycemia

Exist insulin dependent form of hypoglycemia and insulin independent… People with insulin-dependent diabetes cannot do without regular insulin injections, which are done so that there is enough of it to process sugar from food. Insulin injections are given at regular intervals, taking into account the number of meals. The dosage and number of injections are prescribed only by an endocrinologist.

In the event that a diabetic patient received more insulin than is necessary for the processing of glucose received with food, then a strategic reserve of glycogen enters the blood from the liver. But the trouble is that patients with hypoglycemia do not have the standard glycogen reserve for a healthy person.

Causes of hypoglycemia

1. 1 incorrectly selected insulin dosage;
2. 2 a long period of time without food intake (more than 6 hours);
3. 3 the use of medications that are poorly combined with antidiabetic drugs and enhance the effect of insulin;
4. 4 excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
5. 5 liver disease;
6. 6 kidney failure;
7. 7 hypothyroidism;
8. 8 period of pregnancy and lactation;
9. 9 genetic factor;
10. 10 pancreatic tumors;
11. 11 intense exercise;
12. 12 insufficient fluid intake;
13. 13 stress activates the endocrine system, which leads to a rapid consumption of glucose;
14. 14 period of menstruation;
15. 15 intravenous administration of large amounts of saline;
16. 16 gastrointestinal diseases cause disorders of carbohydrate absorption;
17. 17 sepsis;
18. 18 cirrhosis and necrosis of the liver provokes a violation of the process of glucose formation^[1].

Symptoms of hypoglycemia

The first signs of hypoglycemia appear when the glucose level falls below normal – 3 mmol / l. They can manifest themselves in different ways, so it is important to know the main symptoms of the disease.

Hypoglycemia can be of 3 severity: light, medium and severe forms. Accordingly, the lower the glucose level falls, the more significant the symptoms appear. With a slight decrease in blood sugar tachycardia may begin, the person experiences unreasonable anxiety, nausea, increased sweating, hunger, lips and fingertips may go numb.

With hypoglycemia of moderate severity the patient becomes irritable, cannot concentrate consciousness on a certain object, there is a disturbance of consciousness. In this case, a person experiences a headache and dizziness, vision becomes clouded, due to weakness, coordination of movements is disturbed.

For severe hypoglycemia the numbers on the glucometer display drop below 2,2 mmol / l. This form of hypoglycemia can lead to epileptic seizures and loss of consciousness up to coma.

Do not forget that similar symptoms of hypoglycemia can be the causes of other diseases, so there is no point in diagnosing yourself on your own, but you need to consult a doctor. People who have had diabetes for a long time can easily recognize hypoglycemia by 1-2 signs. However, not all patients have the same symptomatology and the symptoms do not always appear in any particular sequence. Therefore, it is best and most reliable to determine the blood glucose value using glucometer.

Complications of hypoglycemia

With frequent hypoglycemic seizures, small peripheral vessels begin to collapse, which primarily affects the eyes and legs; if not properly treated, this can result in blindness and angiopathy.

Low blood sugar levels do not have the best effect on the functioning of the brain. The brain consumes a lot of glucose and is unable to do without it for a long time, therefore, when the sugar drops to a level of 2 mmol / l, the patient develops a hypoglycemic coma. If resuscitation measures are not carried out in time, then the brain cells will die and the person will die.

Other organs also react rather painfully to a deficiency of glucose in the blood.

Prevention of hypoglycemia

All hypoglycemic patients who use insulin should always have glucose tablets, candy, or a sugar cube with them. If a patient with diabetes mellitus is facing serious physical activity, then before that, for preventive purposes, you need to take 30-50 g of carbohydrates.

People with hypoglycemia need to measure their blood sugar with a glucometer every morning on an empty stomach, choose sugar-containing medications with caution, choose the dose of insulin thoughtfully, and monitor the amount of carbohydrates consumed.

Treatment of hypoglycemia in mainstream medicine

Patients susceptible to hypoglycemic syndromes should measure blood glucose daily and carefully monitor their well-being. It is necessary to pay attention to the first signs of hypoglycemia and take action in time. It is advisable to always have an epicrisis or an extract from a medical card with you in case an attack is caught away from home.

People suffering from hypoglycemia during an attack may lose consciousness, in which case they will be helped by an injection of glycogen, which normalizes blood sugar levels.

For quick help, you need to have preparations containing glycogen or dextrose with you. First aid, in any case, should begin with measuring blood sugar indicators; it is necessary to continue measurements during the course of treatment.

Providing assistance depending on the degree of hypoglycemia:

• Lightweight form. The patient can stop such an attack on his own by taking a glucose tablet. At the same time, it is quite simple to calculate the dose: 1 g of d-glucose increases the blood glucose by 0,22 mmol / l. Usually the patient’s condition stabilizes within an hour;
• Severe form. If the patient is able to swallow, then it is necessary to give him easily digestible carbohydrates or drink sweet water. Gel-like glucose helps well, with which the gums are lubricated, sugar, thus, instantly enters the blood;
• Hypoglycemic coma. In this situation, the patient is practically unconscious, so the intake of carbohydrates and liquids is excluded. In the hospital, first aid consists in the intravenous administration of a 40% glucose solution; at home, an intramuscular injection of glucagon will suffice. If the patient does not regain consciousness, then adrenaline is injected subcutaneously.

Attention!

The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!