Does low blood sugar cause confusion?

Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
Updated on October 21, 2024
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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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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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Manifestations of Hypoglycemia

When the blood glucose level of a normal person falls below 2.8mmol/L, or for diabetics below 3.9mmol/L, it is referred to as hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia refers to a clinical syndrome caused by an abnormally low glucose concentration in the blood due to various reasons. Clinically, it primarily manifests through symptoms stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system and affects on the central nervous system. Typical signs of hypoglycemia include excessive sympathetic nervous excitement, such as sweating, hunger, palpitations, trembling, and paleness. Additionally, there are manifestations of brain dysfunction, initially presenting as lack of concentration, slow thinking and speech, dizziness, drowsiness, restlessness, irritability, and bizarre behavior. In severe cases, seizures, coma, and even death may occur.

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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.

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Causes of Hypoglycemia in Pregnant Women

Hypoglycemia is a relatively common clinical phenomenon in pregnant women during pregnancy, mainly manifesting as dizziness, blurred vision, and even fainting. This occurs because the metabolism of pregnant women accelerates during pregnancy, while the secretion of the islets is not correspondingly increased. This results in the physiological function of the islets being very active, which can easily lead to low blood sugar in expectant mothers, causing symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue due to hypoglycemia. Additionally, hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, irregular eating habits, and malnutrition in pregnant women. Despite this, energy consumption still occurs, which can also lead to hypoglycemia.

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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.