Diabetic hypoglycemia: Difference between revisions
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
[[File:Glucose_test.JPG| | | name = Diabetic hypoglycemia | ||
| image = [[File:Glucose_test.JPG|250px]] | |||
| caption = A blood glucose test, which is used to diagnose hypoglycemia | |||
| field = [[Endocrinology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Sweating]], [[tremor]], [[hunger]], [[confusion]], [[seizures]], [[loss of consciousness]] | |||
| complications = [[Seizures]], [[coma]], [[brain damage]] | |||
| onset = Sudden | |||
| duration = Variable, typically resolves with treatment | |||
| types = [[Mild hypoglycemia]], [[severe hypoglycemia]] | |||
| causes = [[Insulin]] overdose, [[sulfonylureas]], [[excessive exercise]], [[alcohol consumption]] | |||
| risks = [[Type 1 diabetes]], [[Type 2 diabetes]], [[insulin therapy]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Blood glucose test]] | |||
| differential = [[Epilepsy]], [[stroke]], [[panic attack]] | |||
| prevention = Regular monitoring of blood glucose, adjusting insulin doses, eating regular meals | |||
| treatment = [[Glucose]] tablets, [[intravenous]] glucose, [[glucagon]] injection | |||
| medication = [[Glucagon]] | |||
| prognosis = Good with prompt treatment | |||
| frequency = Common in people with diabetes | |||
}} | |||
'''Diabetic hypoglycemia''' is a condition characterized by an abnormally low level of [[blood glucose]] in individuals with [[diabetes mellitus]]. It is a common complication of diabetes treatment, particularly in those using [[insulin]] or other glucose-lowering medications. | '''Diabetic hypoglycemia''' is a condition characterized by an abnormally low level of [[blood glucose]] in individuals with [[diabetes mellitus]]. It is a common complication of diabetes treatment, particularly in those using [[insulin]] or other glucose-lowering medications. | ||
=== Causes === | === Causes === | ||
Diabetic hypoglycemia can occur due to several factors, including: | Diabetic hypoglycemia can occur due to several factors, including: | ||
* Excessive doses of insulin or other antidiabetic medications. | * Excessive doses of insulin or other antidiabetic medications. | ||
* Skipping meals or eating less than usual. | * Skipping meals or eating less than usual. | ||
* Increased physical activity without appropriate dietary adjustments. | * Increased physical activity without appropriate dietary adjustments. | ||
* Alcohol consumption, which can interfere with glucose production in the liver. | * Alcohol consumption, which can interfere with glucose production in the liver. | ||
=== Symptoms === | === Symptoms === | ||
The symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from mild to severe and may include: | The symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from mild to severe and may include: | ||
* [[Sweating]] | * [[Sweating]] | ||
* [[Tremor]] | * [[Tremor]] | ||
| Line 26: | Line 37: | ||
* [[Seizures]] | * [[Seizures]] | ||
* [[Loss of consciousness]] | * [[Loss of consciousness]] | ||
=== Diagnosis === | === Diagnosis === | ||
Diagnosis of diabetic hypoglycemia is typically based on the presence of symptoms and confirmed by measuring blood glucose levels. A blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is generally considered hypoglycemic. | Diagnosis of diabetic hypoglycemia is typically based on the presence of symptoms and confirmed by measuring blood glucose levels. A blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is generally considered hypoglycemic. | ||
=== Treatment === | === Treatment === | ||
Immediate treatment of hypoglycemia involves the consumption of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as: | Immediate treatment of hypoglycemia involves the consumption of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as: | ||
* Glucose tablets or gel | * Glucose tablets or gel | ||
* Fruit juice | * Fruit juice | ||
* Regular (non-diet) soda | * Regular (non-diet) soda | ||
* Hard candies | * Hard candies | ||
In severe cases, where the individual is unable to consume carbohydrates orally, [[glucagon]] injection or intravenous [[dextrose]] may be necessary. | In severe cases, where the individual is unable to consume carbohydrates orally, [[glucagon]] injection or intravenous [[dextrose]] may be necessary. | ||
=== Prevention === | === Prevention === | ||
Preventing diabetic hypoglycemia involves careful management of diabetes, including: | Preventing diabetic hypoglycemia involves careful management of diabetes, including: | ||
* Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels. | * Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels. | ||
* Adjusting medication doses based on food intake and physical activity. | * Adjusting medication doses based on food intake and physical activity. | ||
* Educating patients about the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. | * Educating patients about the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. | ||
* Carrying glucose tablets or other fast-acting carbohydrates at all times. | * Carrying glucose tablets or other fast-acting carbohydrates at all times. | ||
== See also == | |||
== | |||
* [[Diabetes mellitus]] | * [[Diabetes mellitus]] | ||
* [[Insulin therapy]] | * [[Insulin therapy]] | ||
* [[Blood glucose monitoring]] | * [[Blood glucose monitoring]] | ||
* [[Glucagon]] | * [[Glucagon]] | ||
[[Category:Diabetes]] | [[Category:Diabetes]] | ||
[[Category:Endocrinology]] | [[Category:Endocrinology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:28, 5 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Diabetic hypoglycemia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Sweating, tremor, hunger, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness |
| Complications | Seizures, coma, brain damage |
| Onset | Sudden |
| Duration | Variable, typically resolves with treatment |
| Types | Mild hypoglycemia, severe hypoglycemia |
| Causes | Insulin overdose, sulfonylureas, excessive exercise, alcohol consumption |
| Risks | Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, insulin therapy |
| Diagnosis | Blood glucose test |
| Differential diagnosis | Epilepsy, stroke, panic attack |
| Prevention | Regular monitoring of blood glucose, adjusting insulin doses, eating regular meals |
| Treatment | Glucose tablets, intravenous glucose, glucagon injection |
| Medication | Glucagon |
| Prognosis | Good with prompt treatment |
| Frequency | Common in people with diabetes |
| Deaths | N/A |
Diabetic hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by an abnormally low level of blood glucose in individuals with diabetes mellitus. It is a common complication of diabetes treatment, particularly in those using insulin or other glucose-lowering medications.
Causes[edit]
Diabetic hypoglycemia can occur due to several factors, including:
- Excessive doses of insulin or other antidiabetic medications.
- Skipping meals or eating less than usual.
- Increased physical activity without appropriate dietary adjustments.
- Alcohol consumption, which can interfere with glucose production in the liver.
Symptoms[edit]
The symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from mild to severe and may include:
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of diabetic hypoglycemia is typically based on the presence of symptoms and confirmed by measuring blood glucose levels. A blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is generally considered hypoglycemic.
Treatment[edit]
Immediate treatment of hypoglycemia involves the consumption of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as:
- Glucose tablets or gel
- Fruit juice
- Regular (non-diet) soda
- Hard candies
In severe cases, where the individual is unable to consume carbohydrates orally, glucagon injection or intravenous dextrose may be necessary.
Prevention[edit]
Preventing diabetic hypoglycemia involves careful management of diabetes, including:
- Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels.
- Adjusting medication doses based on food intake and physical activity.
- Educating patients about the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Carrying glucose tablets or other fast-acting carbohydrates at all times.
