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Hypoglycemia
What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?
The symptoms of hypoglycemia primarily manifest as signs of sympathetic nervous excitement and lack of oxygen in brain cells. Sympathetic nervous excitement can cause feelings of hunger, pale complexion, palpitations, dizziness, and trembling limbs. Meanwhile, the lack of oxygen in brain cells primarily presents as disturbances in neurological functions. The most common symptoms include inability to concentrate, slow speech and thought processes, drowsiness, abnormal behavior, and in severe cases, it can even lead to coma.
How is hypoglycemia treated?
The treatment for hypoglycemia is relatively simple; in most cases, it involves immediate consumption of sugar water to replenish energy, which can significantly alleviate the symptoms of hypoglycemia. If it is an occasional, single occurrence of hypoglycemia, normal status can be restored after replenishing energy. However, if hypoglycemia occurs repeatedly, it is necessary to seek timely medical treatment at a hospital to rule out some common diseases that cause hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia complications
Complications of hypoglycemia encompass aspects of both the central nervous system and the heart. Firstly, the central nervous system, due to hypoglycemic episodes, can lead to brain cells lacking energy, which may then cause cerebral edema. This results in severe neuroglycopenic syndrome. Common symptoms include confusion, apathy, and abnormal mental and behavioral actions. If hypoglycemia persists or recurs, it can lead to coma and death. Secondly, cardiac complications arise during hypoglycemic episodes because excitement of the sympathetic nervous system leads to an increased heart rate or sinus tachycardia. Very few patients may experience bradycardia. Additionally, other arrhythmias, including premature atrial contractions, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular premature beats, and short episodes of ventricular tachycardia, can occur.
Is hypoglycemia dangerous?
For hypoglycemia that has already occurred, as long as we can accurately and promptly identify the onset of hypoglycemia and provide appropriate treatment, the hypoglycemia can be alleviated and cured. Occasional hypoglycemia is not very dangerous after being handled, but if hypoglycemia occurs frequently and does not receive timely rescue, it can cause significant damage to the human body, especially the central nervous system, causing damage to brain cells. If hypoglycemia lasts too long, it can even endanger life, leading to coma, death, etc.
What to eat for low blood sugar?
For already occurring hypoglycemia, our treatment goal is to quickly alleviate the symptoms of hypoglycemia. The primary method is to provide sugar, either through sugar water, sugary drinks, or sugar-containing fruits, bread, etc. After providing sugar, the symptoms of hypoglycemia can be quickly relieved. At the same time, to prevent hypoglycemia, we need to do the following: first, eat meals regularly every day, avoiding eating too late or not enough. Second, it is not advisable to exercise on an empty stomach; it is appropriate to eat something before exercising. Third, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, as it can inhibit the conversion of liver glycogen into glucose in the body, making it easy to develop hypoglycemia, so avoid excessive drinking. Fourth, once common symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, sweating, and other symptoms occur, we should quickly provide sugar.
How to Treat Hypoglycemia
If the patient is experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, cold sweats, and feelings of hunger, but is mentally clear, it is suggested to promptly eat foods like candy or chocolate that can rapidly increase blood sugar levels. However, if the patient's hypoglycemia isn’t fully corrected and leads to unconsciousness, then it is critical to immediately call emergency services (dial 120). Upon their arrival, a micro blood sugar test should be conducted. Secondly, an injection of 50% glucose can be administered intravenously to correct the hypoglycemia. Thus, preventing hypoglycemia is very important.
What is hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low plasma glucose levels, caused by various etiologies, and clinically presents as a syndrome mainly featuring sympathetic nervous excitement and brain cell glucose deficiency. For healthy individuals, hypoglycemia is diagnosed when blood glucose levels fall below 2.8 mmol/L. For diabetic patients, hypoglycemia is diagnosed when blood glucose levels are below 3.8 mmol/L. Hypoglycemia can be categorized into fasting hypoglycemia and postprandial hypoglycemia based on its causes. Common symptoms of hypoglycemia include palpitations, fatigue, trembling hands, accelerated heart rate, sweating, mental distraction, dizziness, drowsiness, unstable gait, irritability, and even odd behaviors. In severe cases, it can lead to coma or even death.
What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia, in fact, is diagnosed in healthy individuals when blood glucose levels are less than or equal to 2.8 mmol/L, and in diabetic patients when levels are less than or equal to 3.9 mmol/L. Common symptoms of mild hypoglycemia typically involve sympathetic nervous system activation, such as dizziness, palpitations, cold sweats, trembling hands, and a feeling of hunger. It is recommended that food be consumed promptly when these symptoms occur. If hypoglycemia is not immediately addressed, severe outcomes can occur, including altered mental status, coma, and unresponsiveness. In some cases, hypoglycemia may trigger seizures or abnormal cerebral vascular accidents, such as stroke or cardiac ischemia, leading to a heart attack. Therefore, preventing hypoglycemia is of utmost importance.
What to do about hypoglycemia?
After a hypoglycemic episode, we need to handle it quickly. Usually, based on symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as dizziness, palpitations, cold sweats, pale complexion, and trembling hands, we can preliminarily judge the likelihood of a hypoglycemic attack. Then, use a rapid glucose meter to measure fingertip blood sugar levels. For non-diabetic patients, a blood sugar level below 2.8 mmol/L and for diabetic patients, a level below 3.9 mmol/L can be indicative. Next, we quickly provide sugar, offering oral sugar water, sugary drinks, or sugar-containing fruits, cookies, bread, etc. After these treatments, the symptoms of hypoglycemia can be quickly alleviated.
How to test for hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia refers to a syndrome characterized by symptoms of sympathetic nerve excitation and brain cell hypoxia due to low blood glucose concentration. We usually identify hypoglycemia first by a series of symptoms. The primary symptoms of hypoglycemia are sympathetic nerve symptoms, including dizziness, palpitations, cold sweats, hunger, and pallor. If these symptoms occur, we use a glucometer to determine if the blood sugar level is below 2.8 mmol/L. If the blood sugar is below 2.8 mmol/L, one should quickly consume sugary water and energy. If the patient's symptoms are alleviated, then it is considered hypoglycemia.