Hypoglycemia emergency treatment procedure

Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
Updated on February 01, 2025
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Typically, when we consider a patient might have hypoglycemia, we follow the standard diagnostic procedures. First, we measure the patient's blood sugar level; if it is below 2.8 mmol/L, there is a high likelihood of hypoglycemia. Symptoms may include palpitations, dizziness, pale complexion, lack of concentration, lethargy, or even coma. Immediate action would involve giving the patient oral glucose solution or administrating glucose intravenously, followed by monitoring the patient’s clinical symptoms and blood sugar levels. If the patient's condition significantly improves after glucose provision, we can diagnose them with hypoglycemia. This is also a critical emergency procedure for hypoglycemia, which entails timely glucose supplementation. If the patient has recurrent hypoglycemia episodes, further detailed examinations should be conducted.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
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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.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Can people with hypoglycemia eat meat?

Hypoglycemia refers to a condition where the concentration of glucose in the plasma is too low, below 2.8mmol/L, which is termed hypoglycemia. During hypoglycemia, it is first necessary to quickly replenish glucose to increase the concentration of glucose in the blood and alleviate the symptoms of hypoglycemia. During hypoglycemia, it is best to first eat sugary foods, such as sugar water, chocolate, cookies, fruit juice, etc., which can quickly increase low blood sugar. Eating meat can also improve symptoms of hypoglycemia, but since meat takes longer to be digested and converted into blood glucose by the stomach, it does not quickly relieve symptoms of hypoglycemia. It is best to eat sugar during hypoglycemia, although meat can also be consumed.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
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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.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
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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.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
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What does hypoglycemia lack?

Hypoglycemia refers to a decrease in the concentration of glucose in the blood, known as hypoglycemia. Generally, for the normal healthy population, a blood glucose concentration below 2.8 mmol/L is considered hypoglycemia. For diabetic patients, a blood glucose concentration below 3.9 mmol/L is considered hypoglycemia. Of course, this can also be due to some endocrine diseases, such as pituitary insufficiency, adrenal cortex insufficiency, and hypothyroidism leading to hypoglycemia. In addition to the low concentration of glucose in the blood, there may also be a decrease in some hormone levels related to pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid functions, such as decreased cortisol and thyroid hormone levels, which are also deficiencies in the body.