What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
Updated on September 17, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
1min 3sec home-news-image

How to check for hypoglycemia

We usually diagnose hypoglycemia based on the following three criteria. The first is the presence of hypoglycemic symptoms, such as palpitations, tremors, sweating, dizziness, etc. If these symptoms are present, we must immediately consider the possibility of hypoglycemia, and then proceed to monitor blood glucose levels. If the blood glucose reading is below 2.8 for non-diabetic patients and below 3.9 for diabetic patients, hypoglycemia can be considered. Subsequently, the patient should consume sugary water, and if the symptoms significantly alleviate after this, a diagnosis of hypoglycemia can be established. Moreover, if the patient does not have a history of diabetes, does not use hypoglycemic drugs, but experiences recurring episodes of hypoglycemia, further testing is required, such as a fasting test, checking C-peptide levels, insulin levels, etc., to rule out insulinoma.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
30sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
1min 19sec home-news-image

Can people with hypoglycemia eat mutton?

The definition of hypoglycemia is when the blood glucose level is monitored to be less than 2.8 mmol/L, or less than 3.9 mmol/L for diabetics, accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations, cold sweats, hunger, and dizziness. These symptoms can be alleviated after eating, especially after consuming sugar water, and this condition is then referred to as hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is classified into mild, moderate, and severe degrees. For mild hypoglycemia, with only mild symptoms, it is acceptable to eat lamb, beef, pork, or consume sugar. However, in cases of more severe hypoglycemia, where there are changes in consciousness or symptoms like somnolence, eating meat may not be quick enough. The most recommended treatment is to drink sugar water directly or to administer glucose intravenously to correct the blood sugar rapidly. This is because eating lamb, which is protein, requires digestion and absorption, and raises blood sugar levels more slowly. In cases of severe hypoglycemia, the most direct treatments are drinking sugar water or administering it intravenously.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
42sec home-news-image

Management of Hypoglycemia

The treatment of hypoglycemia mainly includes two aspects: the first is to alleviate the symptoms of hypoglycemia, and the second is to correct various underlying causes that lead to hypoglycemia. For various cases of hypoglycemia that have already occurred, rapid relief can be achieved by administering sugar water, sugary drinks, or consuming candies, cookies, bread, steamed buns, etc. If it is drug-induced hypoglycemia in diabetic patients, the relevant drugs should be discontinued promptly. If hypoglycemia occurs frequently, or even leads to coma, it is possible to investigate the primary disease, conduct a hypoglycemia test, and determine whether an insulinoma exists.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
57sec home-news-image

Does low blood sugar cause confusion?

When hypoglycemia occurs, it is possible to experience confusion. This is because, under normal conditions, the glucose level in our brain tissue is only about 25% of that in our blood. After hypoglycemia occurs, the glucose concentration in our brain tissue will further decrease, leading to a state of sugar and oxygen deprivation in the brain. Severe cases can exhibit a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as behavioral changes and confusion, cognitive dysfunction, or even epileptic seizures. Some patients may also experience coma and permanent brain damage, typically seen in those with severe and prolonged hypoglycemia. Similarly, patients who repeatedly experience hypoglycemia often also suffer from brain atrophy. Therefore, confusion can occur during hypoglycemia.