Hypoglycaemia is a term clinically used to describe low blood sugar levels. Glucose, the simplest form of sugar, is used by cells to fuel them. The primary function of our digestive system is to convert the food we eat into a powerful fuel that helps the cells to work suitably.
Hypoglycemia occurs when the supply of glucose starts to deteriorate. The symptoms of this condition are very evident. The patient starts to feel anxious and shaky, fails to focus suitably and will get tired sooner. The patients also feel thirstier and hungrier than before. If these symptoms are overlooked, then a person might get blurred vision and start sweating profusely.
The results could be quite severe if a diabetic person ignores hypoglycaemia as it can result in coma, seizures or even death. But this only occurs in severe cases and with patients who have untreated diabetes type 1. These situations might also occur if too much insulin is taken by a type 2 diabetic.
Hyperglycemia symptoms can transpire unexpectedly which include:
There are certain possible causes of hypoglycaemia which are:
The hypoglycaemia diagnosis involves a physical exam and reviewing the medical history of a patient. Blood sugar levels are tested with a glucose metre. Additionally, if the patient is unaware of which medication caused the condition, then the healthcare provider will ask certain questions like:
Doctors recommend following certain steps for patients experiencing hypoglycemia symptoms such as:
Depending on the causes and symptoms, here are other hypoglycemia treatment options:
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Yes, hypoglycemia can be dangerous if not treated on time. If this condition becomes severe, you might find it difficult while trying to swallow food or drink. Chances are you can experience issues like confusion, passing out, and seizures. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to coma or even death without immediate treatment.
No, metformin doesn’t cause hypoglycemia, however, it can happen when taken with other diabetic medicines like insulin or gliclazide.
Beta-blockers can prolong, or prevent the hypoglycemia symptoms. It causes an increase in blood glucose concentrations and antagonises oral hypoglycemic drugs. These drugs can also conceal the symptoms like irritability, confusion, hunger, tremor, etc.
Here are some tips to prevent hypoglycemia during exercise:
This surgical procedure is recommended for patients who have a higher risk or are too sick, or too old for open heart surgery. It was first tested in 2002 on patients with severe aortic stenosis (a narrowing of the aortic valve opening), who were considered unfit for open heart surgery.
Heart failure is a serious condition marked by the inefficiency of the heart muscles to pump blood to different parts of the body. Also referred to as congestive heart failure, the condition can prove to be life-threatening if not addressed immediately. Such patients are often recommended to undergo a heart transplant, a surgical procedure that involves the replacement of a diseased or non-functional part of the patient’s heart with a healthy heart taken from a deceased donor.
Over the past few decades, various innovations and advancements in the field of cardiology have helped us to learn more and more about the human heart, its functioning, and the diseases that affect it.