Hypoglycemia Warning Signs: What To Look Out For

Hypoglycemia image

Overview

A condition resulting when the blood glucose levels drop below the specified limits (4 mmol/L or 72mg/dL). It causes irregular or rapid heartbeat, pale skin, numbness of lips, tongue or cheek, and sweating.

Symptoms

If you’re experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms, contact a health care provider.

Symptoms are sudden and range from mild to severe:

• Excessive sweating
• Being pale
• A sudden Feeling of excess hunger
• Increased heart rate
• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Irritable or nervous

Symptoms of hypoglycemia during sleep include:

• Having nightmares
• Crying in sleep
• Excessive sweating so as to dampen your clothes
• Feeling tired, irritated or confused after waking up

Severe cases can lead to:

• Convulsions/seizures
• Delirium
• Fainting
• Loss of consciousness

→ Common treatment options

→ Questions to ask your doctor

Causes

– The causes include:

• Taking higher doses of certain antidiabetic medications such as insulin, sulphopnylureas (for example, glibenclamide, gliclazide), prandial glucose regulators (for example, repaglinide, nateglinide)
• Medications such as antimalarial drugs
• Deficiency of certain hormones involved in glucose metabolism e.g., cortisone

– The risk factors include:

• Delayed or skipping meals
• Not consuming enough carbohydrates
• Over exercising
• Consumption of alcohol
• Medical conditions such as hepatitis, kidney problems
• Diseases of pancreas that can lead to increased production of insulin

→ Do you have a health question on your mind for hypoglycemia? Ask professionals from across the world

→ Interested to know more? Check out the full article here

Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. Source: Focus Medica.