Hypoglycemia

What is Hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia is the clinical syndrome that results from low blood sugar. The symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from person to person, as can the severity.

Who is at risk for hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia usually occurs in patients being treated for diabetes (type 1 and type 2). Patients with pre-diabetes who have insulin resistance can also have low sugars.

I thought high blood sugar was bad. Why is low blood sugar also bad?

The body needs fuel to work. One of its major fuel sources is sugars, which the body gets from what is consumed as either simple sugar or complex carbohydrates. For emergency situations (like prolonged fasting), the body stores of sugar in the liver as glycogen. If this store is needed, the body goes through a biochemical process called gluco-neo-genesis (meaning to make new sugar) and converts these stores of glycogen to sugar.

I thought high blood sugar was bad. Why is low blood sugar also bad?

Of all the organs in the body, the brain depends on sugar. if absolutely necessary, the brain will use ketones as a fuel source, but this is not preferred. The brain cannot make its own glucose and is 100% dependent on the rest of the body for its supply.

Can the body protect itself from hypoglycemia?

When the circulating level of blood glucose falls, the brain actually senses the drop. The brain then sends out messages that trigger a series of events, including changes in hormone and nervous system responses that are aimed at increasing blood glucose levels. Insulin secretion decreases and hormones that promote higher blood glucose levels, such as glucagon, cortisol, growth hormone and epinephrine, all increase. As mentioned above, there is a store in the liver of glycogen that can be converted to glucose rapidly.

What are symptoms of hypoglycemia

The body's biochemical response to hypoglycemia usually starts when sugars are in the high/mid 60's. At this point, the liver releases its stores and the hormones start to activate. In many patients, this process occurs without any clinical symptoms.

What are symptoms of hypoglycemia

There is some degree of variability among people, most will usually develop symptoms of hypoglycemia when blood glucose levels are lowered to the mid 50's. The first set of symptoms are called neurogenic (or sympathetic) because they relate to the nervous system's response to hypoglycemia

What are symptoms of hypoglycemia

Nervousness (gelisah) Sweating (berkeringat) Intense hunger (rasa lapar) Trembling (gemetar) Weakness (kelemahan) palpitations, and often have trouble speaking

What are symptoms of hypoglycemia

In most patients, these symptoms are easily recognizable. Patients with high circulating levels of insulin who fast or lower their carbohydrate intake drastically should also be cautioned. These patients may also experience modest hypoglycemia

What are symptoms of hypoglycemia

If a person does not or cannot respond by eating something to raise blood glucose, the levels of glucose continue to drop. Somewhere in the 45 mg/dl range, most patients progress to neuro-glyco-penic ranges (the brain is not getting enough glucose). At this point, symptoms progress to confusion, drowsiness (perasaan mengantuk), changes in behavior, coma and seizure.

How is hypoglycemia treated?

The acute management of hypoglycemia involves the rapid delivery of a source of easily absorbed sugar. Soda, juice, table sugar (permen), and the like are good options. In general, 10-15 grams of glucose is used, followed by an assessment of symptoms and a blood glucose check if possible. If after 10 minutes there is no improvement, another 10-15 grams should be given. This can be repeated up to 3 times. At that point, the patient should be considered as not responding to the therapy and an ambulance should be called. The equivalency of 10-15 grams of glucose (approximate servings) are: 4 teaspoons of sugar

How is hypoglycemia treated?

If the hypoglycemic episode has progressed to the point where the patient cannot or will not take anything by mouth In many cases, a family member can be trained in the use of glucagon. Glucagon causes a rapid release of glucose stores from the liver

How is hypoglycemia treated?

Glucagon causes a rapid release of glucose stores from the liver. It is an injection given intramuscularly to a patient who cannot take glucose by mouth. A response is usually seen in minutes and lasts for about 90 minutes. If glucagon is not available and the patient is not able to take anything by mouth, Emergency 911 should be called immediately. An intravenous route of glucose administration should be established as soon as possible