What is hypoglycemia?
Our body needs glucose for energy. Hypoglycemia is a condition wherein glucose- blood sugar considerably drops down below the normal level. The condition is commonly lined with diabetes treatment. Though, a number of conditions can also cause low levels of glucose in individuals without diabetes. Just like fever, the condition is not a disease, however a signal towards a health problem. Its prompt treatment involves immediate steps for regaining the glucose level back to normal, either with medications or glucose-rich foods.
What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?
For proper functioning of our body, we need a constant and balanced supply of glucose. In case the levels of glucose gets extremely low, in can affect the brain causing:
- Consciousness loss.
- Seizures.
- Visual disturbances for example blurred and double vision.
- Confusion.
Few other signs the condition tends to cause are:
- Hunger,
- Sweating.
- Anxiety.
- Shakiness.
- Heart palpitations.
- Tingling sensation felt around your mouth.
When is the high time to consult a doctor?
In case you have diabetes and notice the above mentioned symptoms, consult a doctor.
What causes hypoglycemia?
Mostly, individuals suffering from diabetes get the condition where they lack sufficient sugar for proper functioning of their body. However some possible triggers, without diabetes include certain medications, excessive consumption of alcohol, few serious illnesses for example severe hepatitis, accidentally taking the medicines used for treating diabetes, overproduction of insulin and endocrine deficiencies.
What are the potential complications of hypoglycemia?
In case of ignoring signs indicating hypoglycemia, chances are that the person can become unconscious. Reason is, that the brain requires glucose for proper functioning. Early recognition of its symptoms can help you start its treatment in order to avoid the following complications:
- Consciousness loss.
- Seizure.
- Death, (usually in people with diabetes).
Whilst, in case of suffering from diabetes, one must remain careful for not actually over treating his or her low levels of glucose. As this can also cause you harm, in form of damage to the blood vessels and nerves.
How is hypoglycemia diagnosed?
The doctor can diagnose hypoglycemia by means of:
- Your symptoms.
- Drawing blood sample for lab tests.
Furthermore, the doctor will need the complete medical history of the patient, and will also perform a thorough physical examination.
How is hypoglycemia treated?
The treatment of the condition tends to involve:
- Prompt treatment: Initial treatment of hypoglycemia depends upon the signs and symptoms. Consuming sugar in form of candy or fruit juice can help treat its initial symptoms. The doctor can also prescribe you glucose tablets in order to higher the blood sugar level. In case the symptoms tend to be severe, affecting the ability to consume sugar orally, then the patient will need intravenous glucose or glucagon injection.
- Treating the causal condition: in order to prevent the condition to recur, the doctor will take steps in order to find and treat the causal condition triggering hypoglycemia.
By : Natural Health News
