Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) is the result of the presence of too much insulin and very little glucose (sugar) in the blood.This usually occurs in diabetic adults that certain diabetes medications are administered, including insulin.
When blood glucose descends a lot, it is possible that warning symptoms begin to appear, such as feeling weakness, dizziness, nervousness, sweat or hunger and visual discomfort or tachycardia.
If blood glucose descends even more, signs and symptoms can move towards neurological characteristics, such as headache, confusion, dragging speech, behavior similar to that of alcohol poisoned and finally collapse, seizures or coma.
Your level of concern depends on the drug that is administered.One of the most common drugs for type 2 diabetes, metformin (fortamet, glycophage, riomet and others), does not cause significant hypoglycemia when taken alone.
The injections of the analogues of the LPG-1 [exenatida (bytta), liraglutida (victoza) and others], as well as the tablets of the DPP-4 inhibitors [Sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (NGOLYZA) and others] do not cause eitherhypoglycemia
However, other drugs for common use for type 2 diabetes, including sulfonylureas [glucotrol), glymepirid (amaryryl) and gliburid (glynase)], as well as insulin injections can cause hypoglycemia.People who suffer from type 1 diabetes and receive insulin also run more risk of hypoglycemia.
After many years of suffering diabetes and presenting repeated events of hypoglycemia, some people no longer show the first warning symptoms and the first manifestation of hypoglycemia is the development of neurological problems.This "ignorance of hypoglycemia" needs special attention and generally requires changing control tactics.
Hypoglycemia is a cause for concern for any person running risk, because serious and/or prolonged events can be mortal or cause brain death.
The elderly are especially vulnerable, because even a minor case of hypoglycemia can lead them to suffer a dangerous fall.
In addition, repeated events of hypoglycemia can increase the risk of heart problems in older people.
If you notice that you develop signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, review blood glucose, if possible.
If after 15 minutes you continue to present symptoms, repeat the treatment.If the symptoms do not pass, call the doctor or ask for emergency relief.
If you lose knowledge or for some other reason you fail to swallow without danger, then you need to inject glucagon, which is a rapid action hormone that stimulates the release of glucose in the blood torrent.
If you take insulin, be sure to have with you or close an emergency case with glucagon.
Teach them to your family and close friends to administer the injection in case of emergency and also tell them that if you do not recover quick consciousness, call to ask for emergency relief.
The doses of insulin and sulfonylureas are determined based on the normal pattern of food and physical activity.
Hypoglycemia is usually the result of implementing some change in regular habits (such as jumping a meal or exercising more than usual), without the appropriate adjustments in theDiabetes medications.
If there is no obvious reason for hypoglycemia or repeated events are presented, the doctor can help you adjust the medications.(Adapted from Mayic Health Letter)
