What is hypoglycemia? Is hypoglycemia dangerous?

Hypoglycemia is a fairly common disease today, but not everyone is equipped with knowledge about it. In this article, we will help you better understand some problems such as what is hypoglycemia ? Is hypoglycemia dangerous ? Let's follow it!

What is the concept of hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when blood sugar levels are too low, below 3.9 mmol / l (

Hypoglycemia can happen to anyone, at any time. In particular, for people with diabetes, hypoglycemia is considered to be an acute complication with a cause resulting from the wrong indication of lnsulin injection, overdose of hypoglycemic drugs, fasting, dieting or exercise too level .

Learn the causes and symptoms of hypoglycemia

The cause of hypoglycemia

1. Use too much insulin or other diabetes medication.
2. Do not eat enough or the time between meals is too long.
3. Exercise without eating enough.
4. Do not eat enough sugar.
5. The diet is not reasonable.
6. Drinking too much alcohol causes hormonal imbalance.

Signs of hypoglycemia

1. Trembling, drumming the chest
2. Headache
3. Always feeling hungry
4. Vision decreased
5. Heart beats faster
6. Skin is pale

Is hypoglycemia dangerous?

According to Prof. Thai Hong Quang - President of Vietnam Endocrine and Diabetes Association, hypoglycemia is much more dangerous than hyperglycemia. Especially if this situation occurs at night, in the elderly or if not detected promptly, it can lead to death.

To explain this danger, Professor Quang pointed out that:

1. Hypoglycemia may increase the risk of cognitive decline and brain damage. If severe episodes of hypoglycemia occur regularly, it may affect future cognitive abilities.
2. Severe hypoglycemia also causes you to twitch, coma. If this condition occurs when driving, it may indirectly cause death by increasing the likelihood of an accident.

However, Professor Thai Hong Quang also emphasized that if detected in a timely manner and with quick treatment, the risks encountered will be significantly reduced.

What should I do when I have signs of hypoglycemia?

Depending on the level of hypoglycemia we have different ways of managing. For cases of severe hypoglycemia, causing coma for patients who need to be treated at medical facilities. In other cases, without a coma, you can follow the steps below:

Step 1: Add food containing about 15g sugar. Eg:

1. 1 cup of condensed milk
2. 1 spoon of honey
3. 1/2 cup of fruit juice
4. 2 tablets of glucose
5. Half a can of soft drinks like (Coca, Pepsi or orange juice .)
6. 1 cup of sugar water

Step 2: Rest for about 20 minutes, then conduct a blood sugar test using a home blood glucose meter.

Step 3: If there are still symptoms of hypoglycemia, you need to repeat steps 1 and 2.

When these symptoms have subsided, patients need to eat the main meal shortly after about 1 hour. If necessary, talk to your doctor to find out the cause of hypoglycemia and have timely interventions.

Some suggestions help effectively prevent hypoglycemia

1. Perform a balanced diet, balance between meals.
2. Eat enough carbohydrates before exercising and eating snacks during exercise if necessary.
3. Eat light meals as soon as the sugar level is too low or when symptoms are encountered.
4. Talk to your doctor to get a schedule to check your blood sugar levels at health facilities or at home.
5. Always carry some glucose tablets.
6. Choose smart blood sugar products, if dieting, eat according to the scientific regime.

Hopefully, the above share will help you better understand what is hypoglycemia ? Is hypoglycemia dangerous ?

If you need to buy blood glucose products to use at home, you can contact the hotline number below for advice: In Hanoi: 024.3568.6969 or in HCMC: 028.3833.3366 .

>>> Reference: 4 best blood glucose meters for less than 1 million VND