Hypoglycaemia

Presentation

• Shakiness
• Nervousness or anxiety
• Sweating, chills and clamminess
• Irritability or impatience
• Confusion, including delirium
• Rapid/fast heartbeat
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Hunger and nausea
• Sleepiness
• Blurred/impaired vision
• Tingling or numbness in the lips or tongue
• Headaches
• Weakness or fatigue
• Anger, stubbornness, or sadness
• Lack of coordination
• Nightmares or crying out during sleep
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

(American Diabetes Association. 2014)

Figure 1 : Symptoms of hypoglycemia
Source - richthediabetic.com

Causes

Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar (glucose) level falls too low.

Causes for hypoglycemia:

• Medications

Taking someone else's oral diabetes medication accidentally is a possible cause of hypoglycemia.

• Excessive alcohol consumption.

• Some critical illnesses.

             -       Severe illnesses of the liver, such as severe hepatitis.
             -       Disorders of the kidney
             -       Long-term starvation

• Insulin overproduction.
• Hormone deficiencies.

(Mayo Clinic. 2015)

Investigations

• FBS
• RBS

Stepwise Management

• Check blood sugar levels regularly.
• Insulin treatment
• Sulphonylureas (Glipizide, Glibenclamide, Gliclazide, Chlorpropamide)

(WebMD)

REFERENCES

American Diabetes Association. 2014. American Diabetes Association. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hypoglycemia-low-blood.html#sthash.7UHfBBe4.dpuf [Accessed 27^th April 15].

Mayo Clinic. 2015. Mayo Clinic. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypoglycemia/basics/causes/con-20021103   [Accessed 27^th April 15].

WebMD. (nd.) WebMD. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-hypoglycemia [Accessed 27th April 15].