Glucose is one of the primary sources of energy for the human body. When the blood sugar level drops beyond the standard levels, it is known as Hypoglycemia or Low Blood Sugar. Commonly associated with diabetes, it can also occur in individuals without diabetes for various reasons. For diabetic patients, symptoms begin when blood sugar levels fall below 70 mg/dL. For non-diabetics, below 55 mg/dL may cause a hypoglycemic attack. Hypoglycemia is more serious and fatal in Type 1 Diabetes and if left untreated, it can be life-threatening. Immediate relief and treatment for hypoglycemia is the ingestion of carbohydrates or anything sweet.
Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes experience at least two episodes of Hypoglycemia per week, which is thousands of episodes during their lifetime. Severe episodes may lead to seizure, coma or even brain failure eventually.
Symptoms and Signs of Hypoglycemia:
Signs of low blood sugar during the early stages include
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Tingling lips
- Feeling shaky or trembling
- Heart palpitations
- Irritated, tearful, anxious or moody
- Turning pale
And if left untreated, one can experience severe symptoms such as
- Blurred vision
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Disorientation
- Slurred speech
- Feeling sleepy
- Seizures or fits
- Loss of consciousness
- Collapsing or passing out
Causes of Hypoglycemia:
Several factors can cause the blood sugar level to drop suddenly. The most common causes of hypoglycemia are:
- Insulin Intake
- Increased intake of carbs
- Alcohol
- Lack of physical activity
- High altitudes
- Menstruation/Puberty
Risk Factors of Hypoglycemia
Age is the main risk factor for diabetes and hypoglycemia. Children with type 1 diabetes and the elderly with type 2 are the major risk populous. Using the same injection area too often, using Beta Blockers or antidepressants, smoking, and underlying illnesses such as kidney disease or hypothyroidism are some of the other risk factors for hypoglycemia.
Nighttime low blood sugar: Some experience hypoglycemia while sleeping. This happens because of increased physical activity during the day or just before sleeping. Eating a snack before going to bed can prevent this.
Hypoglycemic unawareness: This occurs in people who have had diabetes for a long time. They have no sense of the symptoms when they are experiencing an episode. Since they are unaware of the symptoms and leave it untreated, it puts them at increased risk of severe hypoglycemic episodes.
Continuous Ambulatory Glucose Monitor (CGM) can help in both conditions. A sensor is inserted into the body and the device alerts you if your blood sugar gets low even while you’re sleeping.
Diagnosis
Hypoglycemia is diagnosed by a blood glucose test, Random Blood Sugar (RBS), Fasting glucose, Glucose Challenge Test, and HBT. These are some of the common tests used for this purpose. Reactive hypoglycemia is diagnosed by a Mixed Meal Tolerance Test where the blood sugar level is increased and tested after a few hours to check the moderation in insulin levels subsequently. Aarthi Scans and Labs offers a wide range of blood tests that can be beneficial in identifying hypoglycemia.
Prevention and Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms. Doctors come up with individualized treatment plans after necessary tests and close monitoring. Since hypoglycemic episodes are very common among diabetic patients, being aware of how and when to treat them is very important because it will be a disaster experience later.
Immediate treatment of food intake can be provided for mild episodes, If the person becomes unconscious and not able to swallow food, glucagon injection or intravenous glucose can only help. Therefore, diabetic individuals must always carry a glucagon kit for such emergencies. Moreover, Mild or severe, it’s important to see a doctor and get medical treatment.
To eliminate hypoglycemia in T1DM, new treatment methods have been evolving that provide plasma glucose-regulated insulin replacement or secretion.
Diet and nutrition planning: A diabetic dietician will help in choosing a balanced and consistent diet plan to prevent hypoglycemia.
Frequent Testing: Closely monitoring blood sugar levels, and taking regular blood sugar or glucagon tests at the labs keeps hypoglycemia in control for diabetic patients.
Healthy lifestyle and habits: Certain lifestyle changes and healthy habits such as eating regularly not skipping meals, avoiding alcohol, and also physical exercises are effective in preventing hypoglycemia.
Awareness: If you’re at risk for low blood sugar, make sure your family and friends are aware of the signs and symptoms so they can help treat it if needed.
If you or someone you know experiences symptoms of hypoglycemia, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and personalized care. They can provide guidance on managing blood sugar levels effectively and preventing future episodes. Book an appointment or visit the nearest center of Aarthi Scans & Labs.
