A fall in blood glucose causes symptoms such as hunger, sweating, shakiness, fatigue, weakness, and inability to think clearly, whereas severe hypoglycemia causes symptoms such as confusion, seizures, and coma. Show
The diagnosis is based on finding low glucose levels in the blood while the person is experiencing symptoms. Symptoms of hypoglycemia are treated by consuming sugar in any form. Doses of medications that cause hypoglycemia may need to be decreased. (See also Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar (glucose) levels to be abnormally high. Urination and thirst are... read more .) Normally, the body maintains the level of glucose in the blood within a range of about 70 to 110 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 3.9 to 6.1 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) of blood. In hypoglycemia, the glucose level becomes too low. Although diabetes mellitus, a disorder involving blood glucose levels, is characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia), many people with diabetes periodically experience hypoglycemia due to side effects of diabetes treatment Medication Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus Many people with diabetes require medication to lower blood glucose levels, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications of diabetes. There are two types of diabetes mellitus Type 1, in which... read more Very low levels of glucose in the blood may interfere with the function of certain organ systems. The brain is particularly sensitive to low glucose levels because sugar is the brain's major energy source. To prevent glucose levels in the blood from falling too far below their usual range, the brain responds by stimulating the
All of these hormones cause the liver to release glucose into the blood, but sometimes these hormones do not raise the blood glucose level enough to overcome the hypoglycemia. If the blood glucose level remains too low, the brain will get insufficient fuel, resulting in confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness. Causes of HypoglycemiaMost cases of hypoglycemia occur in people with diabetes and are caused by insulin or other medications (especially, sulfonylureas, see Medication Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: Oral Antihyperglycemic Medications Oral Antihyperglycemic Medications Many people with diabetes require medication to lower blood glucose levels, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications of diabetes. There are two types of diabetes mellitus Type 1, in which... read more If, after taking a dose of a medication for diabetes, a person eats less than usual or is more physically active than normal, the medication may lower the level of glucose in the blood too much. People who have had diabetes for a long time are particularly prone to hypoglycemia in these situations because they may not produce enough glucagon or epinephrine to counteract a low level of glucose in the blood. Certain medications other than those for diabetes, most notably pentamidine, used to treat a form of pneumonia that occurs most often as part of AIDS, and quinine, used to treat muscle cramps, occasionally cause hypoglycemia. An uncommon type of medication-related hypoglycemia sometimes occurs in people who secretly take insulin or other medications that treat diabetes as part of a psychologic disorder such as factitious disorder imposed on self Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self Factitious disorder is pretending to have or producing physical or psychologic symptoms for no apparent external reason. The cause is unknown, but stress and a severe personality disorder may... read more (previously called Munchausen syndrome). In otherwise healthy people, prolonged fasting (even up to several days) and prolonged strenuous exercise (even after a period of fasting) are unlikely to cause hypoglycemia. However, there are several diseases or conditions in which the body fails to maintain adequate levels of glucose in the blood after a period without food (fasting hypoglycemia). In people who drink heavily without eating, alcohol can block the formation of glucose in the liver. In people with advanced liver disease, such as viral hepatitis Overview of Acute Viral Hepatitis Acute viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, generally meaning inflammation caused by infection with one of the five hepatitis viruses. In most people, the inflammation begins suddenly... read more , cirrhosis Cirrhosis of the Liver Cirrhosis is the widespread distortion of the liver's internal structure that occurs when a large amount of normal liver tissue is permanently replaced with nonfunctioning scar tissue. The scar... read more A rare cause of fasting hypoglycemia is an insulinoma Insulinoma An insulinoma is a rare type of tumor of the pancreas that secretes insulin, a hormone that lowers the levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. These tumors arise from cells in the pancreas that... read more , which is an insulin-producing tumor in the pancreas. Disorders that lower hormone production by the pituitary and adrenal glands (most notably Addison disease Adrenal Insufficiency In adrenal insufficiency, the adrenal glands do not produce enough adrenal hormones. Adrenal insufficiency may be caused by a disorder of the adrenal glands, a disorder of the pituitary gland... read more Hypoglycemia can occur after a person eats a meal containing a large amount of carbohydrates (reactive hypoglycemia) if the body produces more insulin than is needed. However, this type of reaction is rare. In some cases, people with normal blood glucose levels experience symptoms that can be confused with hypoglycemia. After certain types of bariatric surgery Bariatric Surgery Bariatric (weight-loss) surgery alters the stomach, intestine, or both to produce weight loss. In the United States, about 160,000 people have bariatric surgery each year. This number accounts... read more , such as gastric bypass surgery, sugars are absorbed very quickly, stimulating excess insulin production, which then may cause hypoglycemia. Rare problems with metabolism of some sugars (fructose and galactose) and amino acids (leucine) may also cause hypoglycemia if an affected person eats foods containing those substances. Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia symptoms rarely develop until the level of glucose in the blood falls below 60 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L). Some people develop symptoms at slightly higher levels, especially when blood glucose levels fall quickly, and some do not develop symptoms until the glucose levels in their blood are much lower. The body first responds to a fall in the level of glucose in the blood by releasing epinephrine from the adrenal glands. Epinephrine is a hormone that stimulates the release of glucose from body stores but also causes symptoms similar to those of an anxiety attack: sweating, nervousness, shaking, faintness, palpitations, and hunger. More severe hypoglycemia reduces the glucose supply to the brain, causing dizziness, fatigue, weakness, headaches, inability to concentrate, confusion, inappropriate behavior that can be mistaken for drunkenness, slurred speech, blurred vision, seizures, and coma. Severe and prolonged hypoglycemia may permanently damage the brain. Symptoms can begin slowly or suddenly, progressing from mild discomfort to severe confusion or panic within minutes. Sometimes, people who have had diabetes for many years (especially if they have had frequent episodes of hypoglycemia) are no longer able to sense the early symptoms of hypoglycemia, and faintness or even coma may develop without any other warning. In a person with an insulinoma Insulinoma An insulinoma is a rare type of tumor of the pancreas that secretes insulin, a hormone that lowers the levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. These tumors arise from cells in the pancreas that... read more , symptoms are likely to occur early in the morning after an overnight fast, especially if the glucose stores in the blood are further depleted by exercise before breakfast. At first, people with a tumor usually have only occasional episodes of hypoglycemia, but over months or years, episodes may become more frequent and severe. Did You Know?
Diagnosis of Hypoglycemia
In someone who is known to have diabetes, a doctor may suspect hypoglycemia when symptoms are described. The diagnosis may be confirmed when low glucose levels in the blood are measured while the person is experiencing symptoms. In an otherwise healthy person who does not have diabetes, a doctor is usually able to recognize hypoglycemia based on the symptoms, medical history, a physical examination, and simple tests. Doctors first measure the level of glucose in the blood. A low glucose level in the blood found at the time a person is experiencing typical symptoms of hypoglycemia confirms the diagnosis in a person without diabetes, especially if the relationship between a low glucose level in the blood and symptoms is demonstrated more than once. If symptoms are relieved as the glucose levels in the blood rise within a few minutes of ingesting sugar, the diagnosis is supported. When the relationship between a person's symptoms and the level of glucose in the blood remains unclear in a person who does not have diabetes, additional tests may be needed. Often, the next step is measurement of the glucose level in the blood after fasting in a hospital or other closely supervised setting. More extensive tests may also be needed. If use of a medication such as pentamidine or quinine is thought to be the cause of hypoglycemia, the medication is stopped and blood glucose levels are measured to determine if they increase. If the cause remains unclear, other laboratory tests may be needed. If an insulinoma is suspected, measurements of insulin levels in the blood during fasting (sometimes up to 72 hours) may be needed. If the insulin levels are high and suggest a tumor, the doctor will try to locate it before treatment. Did You Know?
Treatment of Hypoglycemia
People prone to hypoglycemia should carry or wear medical identification to inform health care practitioners of their condition. Immediate treatment of hypoglycemiaThe symptoms of hypoglycemia are relieved within minutes of consuming sugar in any form, such as candy, glucose tablets, or a sweet drink, such as a glass of fruit juice. People with recurring episodes of hypoglycemia, especially those with diabetes, often prefer to carry glucose tablets because the tablets take effect quickly and provide a consistent amount of sugar. These people may benefit from consuming sugar followed by a food that provides longer-lasting carbohydrates (such as bread or crackers). When hypoglycemia is severe or prolonged and taking sugar by mouth is not possible, doctors quickly give glucose intravenously to prevent brain damage. People who are known to be at risk of episodes of severe hypoglycemia may keep glucagon on hand for emergencies. Glucagon administration stimulates the liver to release large amounts of glucose. It is given by injection or by a nasal inhaler and generally restores blood glucose to an adequate level within 5 to 15 minutes. Glucagon kits are easy to use, and family members or trusted others can be trained to administer the glucagon. Treatment of the cause of hypoglycemiaIf a medication is causing hypoglycemia, the dose is adjusted or the medication is changed. Insulinomas Insulinoma An insulinoma is a rare type of tumor of the pancreas that secretes insulin, a hormone that lowers the levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. These tumors arise from cells in the pancreas that... read more should be removed surgically. However, because these tumors are small and difficult to locate, a specialist should do the surgery. Before surgery, the person may be given a medication such as octreotide or diazoxide to control symptoms. Sometimes more than one tumor is present, and if the surgeon does not find them all, a second operation may be necessary. People who do not have diabetes but are prone to hypoglycemia often can avoid episodes by eating frequent small meals rather than the usual three meals a day. Which medication should be given for hypoglycemia?Glucagon—a hormone that raises blood glucose levels—is used to treat severe hypoglycemia. Glucagon is taken as a spray into the nose or an injection administered under the skin.
Which is the most commonly administered agent for a patient in a hypoglycemia emergency?IV dextrose is the best treatment for inpatients and for patients found by emergency medical services personnel. IV dextrose is available in different concentrations. Concentrated IV dextrose 50% (D50W) is most appropriate for severe hypoglycemia, providing 25 g of dextrose in a standard 50-mL bag.
What is the first line medical treatment for patients with hypoglycemia?As the main counter-regulatory hormone to insulin, glucagon is the first-line treatment for severe hypoglycemia in insulin-treated patients with diabetes.
What is nursing intervention for hypoglycemia?Nursing management includes administering glucose tablets (approximately three), glucose gel, or carbohydrates for the conscious patient. Carbohydrates may consist of 4 to 6 ounces of fruit juice or soda (not sugar-free), saltine crackers, or hard candy (only if the patient is alert).
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