A decrease in blood glucose is called. Low blood sugar: symptoms in women and causes of hypoglycemia. Emergency care and treatment of low blood sugar

There are many reasons for low blood sugar (or hypoglycemia), and this condition is accompanied by a number of unpleasant and, in severe cases, dangerous symptoms. It is expressed in a critical decrease in glucose levels and can be observed both in patients with and in absolutely healthy people or in other diseases. In some cases, a decrease in sugar levels is not dangerous, but with severe hypoglycemia, the patient may develop a dangerous condition such as hypoglycemic coma.

The topic of this publication will be useful not only to people with diabetes, but also to those who do not suffer from this particular disease. In this article, we will introduce you to the symptoms, causes and treatments of hypoglycemia. This information will be useful to you, and you will be able to avoid the discomfort and consequences that this condition can cause, or you will be able to provide first aid to a loved one suffering from diabetes.

Causes

One of the reasons for low blood sugar levels is the complicated course of diabetes mellitus. Almost all patients with this disease can develop this condition. The following factors can provoke it:

• overdose or from the group of sulfonylureas or buganides, meglitidines (Chlorpropamide, Tolbutamide, Maninil, Amaryl, Novonorm, Hexal, Metformin, Siofor, etc.);
• starvation;
• diet violation;
• long break between meals;
• kidney and liver diseases;
• acute infectious diseases;
• heavy physical activity;
• taking large doses of alcohol.

A common mistake that some people with diabetes make that leads to low glucose is a combination of taking insulin or glucose-lowering medications and other methods to lower sugar. These include:

• plants that enhance the effect of sugar-lowering drugs: clover, bay leaf, bean leaves, dandelion grass, lingonberry and blueberry leaves, burdock herb, linden flowers, black currant fruits, rose hips and hawthorn, chicory herb;
• sugar-lowering vegetables and herbs: parsley, horseradish, pumpkin, spinach, turnips, garlic, eggplant, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, white cabbage, sweet peppers, asparagus, zucchini, radishes, Jerusalem artichoke;
• sugar-reducing fruits and berries: citrus fruits, blueberries, sour varieties of apples or pears, blackberries, lingonberries, rowan berries, viburnum, pineapples, raspberries, blackberries, chokeberries.

When using these drugs to lower blood glucose levels, the patient should definitely agree on this possibility with the doctor and constantly monitor the sugar level using a home glucometer.

Another cause of hypoglycemia may be a neoplasm of the pancreas, which is capable of producing insulin. This tumor causes a sharp increase in insulin levels, which “sucks up” glucose in the blood and causes its levels to decrease.

In addition to these diseases, low glucose levels can be caused by the following ailments and conditions:

• severe liver pathologies;
• condition after resection of the intestine or stomach;
• congenital deficiency of enzymes affecting carbohydrate metabolism;
• diseases of the hypothalamus and;
• pathologies of the adrenal glands.

In healthy people, low blood sugar can be caused by the following factors or conditions:

• period and lactation;
• heavy physical activity;
• frequent and excessive consumption of sweet foods;
• adherence to irrational diets, irregular meals or malnutrition.

Symptoms

In healthy people, signs of low blood sugar begin to appear at 3.3 mmol/l, and in patients with diabetes they appear earlier, because their body is already accustomed to constant hyperglycemia. In a patient suffering from this disease for a long time, the first symptoms may appear with a sharp jump in glucose levels (for example, from 20 to 10 mmol/l). Children are a special category of patients with diabetes mellitus who are insensitive to lowering sugar levels. They do not always feel the onset of this process, and to detect it, parents or doctors who suspect the onset of hypoglycemia have to use a glucometer.

The severity of symptoms of low blood sugar can be divided into three degrees: mild, moderate and severe.

Symptoms of a slight decrease in sugar levels to 3.3 mmol/l are:

• dizziness and;
• nervousness;
• weakness;
• trembling in the body;
• increased sweating;
• mild nausea;
• severe hunger;
• blurred vision.

Symptoms of moderate severity of a decrease in sugar levels to 2.2 mmol/l are:

• irritability;
• inability to concentrate;
• feeling unsteady while standing or sitting;
• slowness of speech;
• muscle cramps;
• Unreasonable crying, aggression or anger.

Symptoms of severe blood sugar levels below 1.1 mmol/L include:

• loss of consciousness (hypoglycemic coma);
• convulsive attack;
• death (in some cases).

Sometimes a drop in sugar levels occurs during nighttime sleep. You can tell that a sleeping person is experiencing hypoglycemia based on the following signs:

• the appearance of unusual noises;
• anxiety;
• accidentally falling out of bed or trying to get out of it;
• increased sweating;
• nightmares.

If you have suffered a nighttime attack of hypoglycemia, a person may feel a headache after waking up in the morning.

Symptoms of the development of hypoglycemic syndrome

With a sharp decrease in blood sugar levels, the patient develops hypoglycemic syndrome. In this case, signs of hypoglycemia increase much faster than with a normal decrease in this indicator. That is why, to provide first aid, every patient with diabetes should always carry sugar or candy and a syringe pen with glucagon with them.

Conventionally, the course of hypoglycemic syndrome can be divided into 4 main phases.

First phase

• Pronounced hunger;
• drowsiness;
• weakness;
• hypotension;
• change of mood: from tearfulness to unbridled joy;
• irritability.

Second phase

• Unbearable hunger;
• pallor;
• cold sweat;
• tachycardia;
• feeling of heartbeat;
• blurred vision;
• trembling in the body and limbs;
• feeling of fear of death.

Third phase

• A state of euphoria similar to alcohol intoxication;
• excitation;
• uncontrollability of behavior;
• disappearance of feelings of fear;
• inappropriate behavior (even to the point of refusing to take sweets or medications when aware of their need).

Fourth phase

• Trembling throughout the body and convulsive twitching, followed by a convulsive seizure;
• loss of vision;
• fainting and development of coma.

The initial phases of hypoglycemic syndrome are usually not dangerous to the brain and do not leave irreversible consequences. With the onset of coma and the absence of timely and qualified assistance, not only a decrease in memory and intellectual abilities is possible, but also death.

Treatment

To eliminate signs of hypoglycemia, assistance should be provided within the first 10-15 minutes. The following foods can eliminate an attack within 5-10 minutes:

• sugar – 1-2 teaspoons;
• honey – 2 teaspoons;
• caramel – 1-2 pcs.;
• lemonade or other sweet drink – 200 ml;
• fruit juice – 100 ml.

Such timely initiation of treatment in most cases helps to quickly increase blood sugar levels and prevents the development of more severe manifestations of this condition. After this, the patient is recommended to eliminate the cause that caused hypoglycemia (eat food, give up a debilitating or incorrectly formulated diet, take a large dose of insulin, etc.).

First aid for hypoglycemic syndrome

With the development of hypoglycemic syndrome, the patient's condition changes very quickly and assistance should be provided immediately (even before the ambulance arrives). It consists of the following activities:

1. Place the patient in a horizontal position and raise his legs.
2. Call an ambulance, indicating the probable reason for the call.
3. Remove clothing that restricts breathing.
4. Provide fresh air flow.
5. Give the sweets as a drink.
6. If the patient has lost consciousness, then it is necessary to turn him on his side (to prevent the tongue from sinking and asphyxia with vomit), and sweets (in the form of sugar, etc.) should be placed behind the cheek.
7. If you have a syringe tube with Glucagon, administer 1 ml subcutaneously or intramuscularly.

The ambulance team performs a jet intravenous injection of a 40% glucose solution and sets up a drip injection of a 5% glucose solution. After this, the patient is transported to the intensive care unit and additional medications may be administered during the transfer.

Treatment of patients with hypoglycemic coma

After hospitalization, the patient is installed two catheters: intravenous and for urine excretion. After this, diuretics are administered to prevent cerebral edema. Initially, osmotic diuretics (Mannitol or Mannitol) are used. Later, emergency diuretics (Furosemide) are prescribed.

The administration of short-acting insulin is carried out only under the control of blood sugar levels. This drug is started to be used only in the presence of glucose levels such as 13-17 mmol/l, since its early administration can cause the development of a new attack of hypoglycemic syndrome and the onset of coma.

The patient is scheduled to be examined by an on-duty neurologist and cardiologist, who evaluate ECG and electroencephalogram indicators. Data from these studies make it possible to predict the possible recurrence of coma and adjust the treatment plan.

After emerging from a coma, the patient is constantly monitored, and the endocrinologist adjusts his treatment tactics and diet based on data obtained from the results of laboratory and instrumental studies. At the last stage of treatment, the patient is prescribed rehydration and detoxification therapy, which eliminates acetone in the blood and replenishes lost fluid.

Low blood sugar levels are called hypoglycemia. This indicator is as dangerous as the state of high sugar in its composition. A rapid decrease in glucose leads to a coma and threatens death.

Most of the cases with low glucose are the cause and consequence of complications in diabetes (mellitus). But there are often cases when a small sharp decrease can occur in the body of a healthy person.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia means that there is a lack of glucose in the body, which is very necessary for the normal functioning of vital organs and all systems in the adult human body.

In order to avoid a disastrous result, it is necessary to monitor the level of sugar at the first ailments.

Especially those people who suffer from diabetes, as well as those who are at risk due to a number of diseases.

Causes of low glucose levels

The most common cause of low blood glucose concentrations is fasting. There are also reasons for the development of hypoglycemia.

When the stomach is not full:

• Refusal to eat for a long time (more than 8-10 hours),
• Eating an unlimited amount of carbohydrates,
• Dehydration of the body
• Large amount of alcohol consumed,
• Reaction to taking certain medications
• Concomitant use of medications with alcoholic beverages,
• Liver failure,
• Large body weight
• High physical activity
• Pathology in the production of hormones, and increased release of insulin into the blood,
• Failure: cardiac and renal.

Heart failure

Symptoms and signs

Low blood sugar in a completely healthy person can only occur in the morning, when the stomach is not full and there is a clear feeling of hunger. To normalize this condition, you just need to eat food.

Symptoms in an adult with low glucose (mild):

• hand trimmer,
• Feeling a rush of heat
• Increased sweating
• Increased heart rate,
• Increased thirst (polydipsia),
• Problems with vision (feeling of fog in the eyes, doubling of objects, feeling of other objects in the field of vision),
• Pain in the head, often severe,
• State of apathy, depression and drowsiness,
• Paleness of the face and upper limbs,
• Weakness in the muscular organs, as well as weakness in the legs,
• Acute tachycardia,
• Sweaty palms in any climate.

Symptoms of diabetes.

Symptoms of low blood glucose concentrations can manifest not only when a person is awake, but also during sleep:

• Increased sweating
• Talking while sleeping
• Development of sleepwalking
• Nightmarish dreams
• Restless behavior during sleep, which leads to falling from the place of sleep,
• State of irritability after sleep.

Such sensations are caused by the fact that during sleep the cerebral cortex is starved. It is necessary to measure glucose and if the concentration is less than 3.3 mmol/l, then you need to eat urgently.

Degree of reduction in glucose index

With low sugar, the symptoms vary. Depends on the degree and speed of glucose drop.

The degree of glucose reduction can be:

• Lightweight,
• Average,
• Heavy.

A mild form of decreased glucose, when the level drops to 3.8 mmol/l, and also slightly lower.

Signs and symptoms of a low glucose index:

• Weakness in the body, severe chills, arm trimmer,
• Fairly high sweating
• Dizziness, especially worse with a sudden change in head position,
• Feeling of an unfilled stomach
• Nausea and often vomiting,
• Overexcitability, tense nervous state,
• Cardiopalmus,
• Numbness of the tongue and lips,
• Numbness of the phalanx of the fingers,
• Not seeing objects clearly with the eyes.

What to do? To improve your well-being in this degree of hypoglycemia, it is enough to eat food.

The average form of glucose drop, when the level drops to 3 mmol/l, and also slightly below this figure. At this stage, the body experiences psychological, nervous and emotional disruptions, and the physical condition deteriorates significantly.

Signs and symptoms when sugar is reduced to 3 mmol/l:

• Confused stage of consciousness
• It is impossible to navigate in space,
• Cramps in muscle tissue,
• Retardation of consciousness and speech,
• Incoherent speech
• Impaired movement coordination
• Unreasonable drowsiness,
• Weakness of the whole body

At this stage of hypoglycemia, you need to consult a doctor.

A severe form, when glucose is low and the ratio drops to 2 mmol/l, and also slightly below this indicator. Why is low sugar concentration dangerous? Such a sharp decrease in sugar can be quite life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms:

• Whole body spasms
• Coma state
• Stroke,
• Reduced body temperature,
• Fatal outcome.

If glucose is below normal for a long period, what does this mean?

This means that the reasons may be as follows: in a person’s body, irreversible changes occur in the cerebral cortex, as well as in the heart and vascular system. Symptoms of hypoglycemia may not be pronounced if sugar has dropped and the patient is taking medications and beta blockers.

The body's process of producing glucose.

Symptoms of each degree of low sugar can manifest themselves individually and with different blood glucose levels.

Hypoglycemia in a child does not cause such symptoms, because the child’s body does not respond to a decrease in sugar levels within 2.5 mmol/l.

Signs of hypoglycemia can appear even with normal sugar levels, if there is a sharp fluctuation. In patients who suffer from diabetes (mellitus) of the first and second types, hypoglycemia manifests itself when sugar drops to 6 mmol/liter and even 8 mmol/liter.

Diagnosis of hypoglycemia

In order for a doctor to diagnose hypoglycemia and determine the reasons for its decrease, it is enough to take a blood sugar test. Blood for testing is taken from a finger.

The doctor must determine why this is happening. The doctor also examines the patient’s body and checks his emotional and psychological state.

It is important to find out the patient’s lifestyle, fluctuations or increase in body volume, as well as what medications the patient is taking for this period.

The reasons for sugar fluctuations may be precisely this.

What is dangerous about low levels of glucose in the body?

Hypoglycemia for a premature baby threatens the development of cerebral palsy, brain starvation, which threatens insufficient mental development.

A large percentage of newborn deaths from hypoglycemia due to starvation of the brain and nervous system.

Lack of glucose in a child’s body provokes a number of heart diseases and vascular pathologies. If not treated promptly, the child may enter a hypoglycemic coma.

Therapy

If a person has a mild case of hypoglycemia, then the help of a medical professional is not needed.

To raise blood glucose it is enough to take A little:

You should also avoid eating during this period:

When a case of severe hypoglycemia occurs and the patient loses consciousness, then in this case it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance so that the doctor can determine the causes of this fainting and provide immediate assistance.

Administers the drug:

• Glucagon
• Glucose solution.

These drugs are injected very slowly into a vein. They can also be administered intramuscularly. After 30 minutes, your blood glucose level is checked. In a particularly severe case, the patient may even be hospitalized in a clinic.

Treatment of such a patient is carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor. Hospitalization is also provided for carrying out therapy for hypoglycemia, if the patient has heart pathologies (failure) and pancreas pathologies, and malfunction of the kidneys and adrenal glands.

Diet for low blood sugar

For people suffering from hypoglycemia, nutritional culture plays an important role. It is also necessary to adhere to a proper diet and eating regimen for older people.

The reason for the failure of the functionality of the endocrine system is a lack of healthy foods in the diet. You need to take food in small doses, at least 6 times a day.

The last dose should be no later than 2 hours before sleep.

Tonic drinks, coffee, tea stimulate increased production of the hormone insulin, which means that the consumption of these drinks should be minimal.

A low sugar diet includes the following foods in its menu:

• Whole wheat bread,
• Fish,
• Lean meats
• Dairy products,
• Food products of marine origin.

Eating fruits and fresh vegetables in sufficient quantities fills the body with fiber, which helps normalize the level of glucose in the blood.

Fruit juices and teas from medicinal herbs can not only correct the glucose coefficient, but also have a beneficial effect on the entire immune system.

Sample menu:

The calorie content of this diet and its protein content are increased, but simple carbohydrates are excluded from the diet.

Hypoglycemia, or, as this condition of the body is commonly called, low blood sugar, is quite dangerous, especially for patients suffering from diabetes. It can be determined by physiological manifestations, deterioration in general well-being, as well as by examining the blood for glucose levels, the result of which will show values ​​below generally accepted norms.

The signs that accompany this condition are usually poorly tolerated by the human body, and can lead to a rapid and significant increase in negative symptoms. In some cases, hypoglycemia indicates insufficient quality of correction of diabetes mellitus or the parallel occurrence of pathological processes of a different nature.

More about blood glucose

Initially, it is worth saying that a blood test for sugar is a generally accepted expression, but within the framework of modern medicine it is not entirely correct. The very phrase “blood sugar” dates back to the Middle Ages. Doctors and healers of that time believed that the amount of sugar was directly related to the appearance of excessive thirst, pustular infections and frequent urination.

Today, it is no secret to doctors that there is no so-called sugar (sucrose) in the blood, because studies have confirmed that simple sugars are converted into glucose through chemical reactions. And it, in turn, performs one of the leading functions in metabolism. And now, when we talk about the normal level of blood sugar, we mean the content of glucose, a universal substance that supplies energy to all human tissues and organs.

With its participation, heat exchange occurs, the brain and the entire nervous system are nourished, and toxic substances are removed from the body. When supplied with food, glucose is consumed by tissues, and is also deposited and accumulated in muscles and liver in the form of glycogen, which, if necessary, can again be converted into simple sugars and returned to the blood.

Thus, the circulation of glucose in the body supports its normal functioning, and, consequently, the person’s well-being. Glucose (C 6 H 12 O 6) is the most important substance in terms of metabolism, and any disturbance in its concentration can cause the development of severe complications.

In addition to glucose, when sucrose is broken down in the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract), fructose is also formed, which is also a simple saccharide, like the first. In diabetes mellitus, there is a deficiency of hormones that promote the absorption of glucose, as a result of which it is retained in the blood instead of being converted into glycogen.

Increased glucose in the blood, as well as in the urine, are direct laboratory signs of the disease and pose a danger to human life and health. Insulin, which is prescribed to such patients, helps transform free glucose into glycogen.

At the same time, it often happens that an incorrectly selected dosage of insulin or a meal taken at the wrong time leads to a lack of glucose and the development of hypoglycemia, which is the same dangerous condition as hyperglycemia. In certain situations, serious health consequences can develop even with short-term glycemia, especially if the level drops very quickly.

Reasons for the decline

A drop in blood glucose levels can be either physiological, that is, observed in healthy people, or pathological, caused by the occurrence of certain diseases. The main causes of low sugar levels that are not related to disease are the following:

• low calorie content of the daily diet as a result of malnutrition, which can happen with a strict diet, for example, in order to quickly lose extra pounds;
• drug and alcohol intoxication, poisoning of the body with arsenic salts, chloroform, dehydration;
• long intervals between meals, lasting more than 8 hours, eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia), thirst;
• intravenous drip infusion of saline without adding glucose to it;
• excessive physical activity, for example, fatigue during work or professional sports;
• increased consumption of carbohydrates, that is, an excess of sweets, confectionery, carbonated drinks with a high sugar content, as well as foods with a high glycemic index.

Reference! Dessert and fortified wines and beer first cause a rapid increase in blood glucose, and then a sharp and rapid drop in the level.

In such situations, there is a lack of energy, which the body eliminates through internal “reserves” - by reverse conversion of glycogen stored in skeletal muscles and liver. And also a decrease in blood sugar can occur due to the development of various diseases, such as:

• diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2 – glucose levels often drop as a result of an overdose of insulin or other medications that help lower it;
• diseases of the kidneys, adrenal glands or liver;
• renal and heart failure, stroke;
• obesity, pancreatitis, sarcoidosis, hormonal disorders,
• Insulinoma is a tumor of the pancreas, the cells of which are capable of producing insulin, thereby creating an excess of it in the body.

Most often, a decrease in blood sugar is observed with an incorrectly administered dose of insulin, which means that hypoglycemia is most dangerous for people suffering from diabetes mellitus and forced to take this hormone.

The second place is given to physical exhaustion that occurs against the background of starvation or malnutrition. Other options are quite rare, are not always accompanied by additional symptoms, and without a doctor it will be impossible to find out why the sugar dropped.

Manifestations of moderate hypoglycemia

In order to always be on guard and be able to quickly respond to changes in the general well-being of yourself or a loved one, you should know the main signs that accompany low blood sugar. In an adult, the following manifestations are most often present:

• general weakness, causeless fatigue;
• headaches, dizziness;
• trembling (tremor) in the limbs, their numbness;
• tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
• rapid, uneven pulse, drowsiness;
• excessive nervousness, irritability;
• feeling of extreme hunger, sweating;
• poor coordination of movements, pale facial skin,
• Pupils are dilated, there is double vision, darkening.

All of the above symptoms of low blood sugar can be observed both in a person sitting or lying motionless, or in a sleeping person. They are due to the fact that the brain consumes glucose in approximately the same quantities as the muscles, and if there is a lack of it, it also goes hungry.

Reference! Signs of nocturnal hypoglycemia develop due to a decrease in the functional activity of the endocrine system at a given time of day.

As a rule, a person has restless sleep, often accompanied by nightmares, he may behave noisily, and try to get up without waking up. As a result, the patient often falls out of bed, sweats profusely, wakes up with cramps in the lower extremities, and suffers from a headache in the morning.

If at this stage of hypoglycemia a person is not given glucose (best in a quickly digestible form: sugar, sweets, honey, cake, etc.), then his condition will worsen. A further drop in glucose concentration can cause more severe and life-threatening symptoms for the patient:

• confusion;
• incoherent speech;
• convulsive attacks.

The most common signs of hypoglycemia

Symptoms of a sharp drop in sugar

A sharp decrease in glucose in most cases develops in patients with type 1 diabetes who require regular subcutaneous injections of insulin. In some situations, a rapid drop in sugar concentration is caused by an overdose of insulin due to incorrect use.

However, it can also sharply decrease in patients with type 2 diabetes who take medications that stimulate the synthesis of insulin by the pancreas. Most often these are sulfonylurea derivatives and drugs of the meglitinide group. When blood glucose drops sharply, a person develops characteristic symptoms, namely:

• tachycardia, tremors of extremities;
• pale skin;
• loss of ability to navigate in space;
• slower reactions or, conversely, restless behavior and aggressiveness.

Reference! The appearance of hallucinations, delirium, confusion, and convulsions in the patient are signs of a developing hypoglycemic coma, which can lead to cerebral edema and death of the patient.

Low blood sugar in pregnant women

The symptoms of low blood glucose in women are not much different from the symptoms of this condition in men. When the described substance declines, representatives of the weaker half of humanity may experience:

• increased heart rate, combined with strong inexplicable fear and anxiety;
• dizziness, visual impairment, tremor and weakness in the limbs;
• increased sweating and severe hunger.

Low sugar levels are often observed in women carrying a child, especially in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. This is due to a significant change in hormonal levels, which increases the sensitivity of the body's cells to insulin. As a result, the body tissues of a pregnant woman utilize glucose faster.

And the fetus’s body also needs glucose. Unlike diabetes that develops in pregnant women, low blood glucose in women preparing to become mothers does not pose a particular danger, but requires only fractional meals. That is, they need to eat often, but in smaller portions.

When should you see a doctor?

The threshold for reducing glucose levels at which symptoms of hypoglycemia appear is individual for each patient. Some people may feel fine with a reading below 2.2 mmol/l, while for others a reading of 3 becomes critical and they are likely to develop coma.

Patients with type 1 diabetes should measure their blood sugar several times a day using a portable personal glucose meter. Those who do not use this device and are often unaware of the presence of diabetes (mostly adults who developed type 2 diabetes in adulthood) should be wary of the following and should be a reason for a visit to an endocrinologist:

• sudden increase in resting heart rate;
• feeling of fatigue and weakness in the lower extremities;
• increased sweating in the absence of physical activity;
• attacks of unreasonable fear, trembling in the hands;
• inability to concentrate;
• attacks of weakness or dizziness;
• visual impairment.

If one or several manifestations arise, a person’s first action should be to seek medical help and undergo all necessary tests. The doctor will consult the patient in detail, tell you what to do in such situations, and possibly recommend adjusting your lifestyle.

Norms and deviations

In order not to miss a sharp and significant drop in glucose, but, on the contrary, to track hypoglycemia in time, you need to go to the laboratory on an empty stomach and take a finger prick blood test. This can be done at home using a glucometer, which every person with diabetes should have.

Blood sugar is in the range of 3–6 mmol/l, namely:

• newborn infants 2.7–4.5 mmol/l;
• older children – 3–5.5 mmol/l;
• adults – 3.5–6 mmol/l.

It should not be forgotten that for adults, a value of 5.5–6 mmol/l is considered an alarm bell, which in medicine is called the state of prediabetes. A shift in the coefficient to the lower limit of normal may indicate exhaustion of the body or persistent hypoglycemia.

A condition in which blood glucose is sharply reduced, and at the same time it is accompanied by neurological symptoms: convulsive syndrome, loss of consciousness, is very dangerous, and therefore requires immediate hospital treatment. In the process of therapy and correction of blood sugar levels, additional studies will certainly be carried out, which will help to understand the cause of these deviations.

And the doctor will also talk with the patient about measures to improve the body’s health, which include diet, giving up bad habits, fighting obesity and getting enough rest. As a rule, changes in lifestyle, routine and diet in the initial stages of diseases help reduce the likelihood of developing serious health problems.

Portable device (glucometer) for measuring blood glucose levels

How to help with severe hypoglycemia?

The condition of acute sudden hypoglycemia must be stopped within 5–10 minutes, otherwise there is a risk of fainting and other life-threatening complications. To make up for the lack of glucose in the blood, you should eat or drink something sweet or containing carbohydrates.

The most effective products that help relieve an attack in 5–10 minutes are:

• fruit juice (half a glass is enough);
• sugar (1–2 teaspoons);
• honey (2 teaspoons);
• jam (1–2 tbsp);
• caramel (1–2 pcs.);
• lemonade or other sweet drink (1 glass).

After eating, the attack will be stopped, but you should not ignore the symptoms preceding it, even if it is still minor and does not cause much discomfort. It should be remembered that at any moment (if the dosage of blood sugar-lowering drugs is incorrect or a meal is skipped), the attack may recur, and it is not known what intensity it will be.

For patients. Any sign of hypoglycemia should be a reason to visit a doctor and undergo a thorough examination. If no pathologies are found, then it is necessary to use the doctor’s recommendations to reduce the likelihood of recurrence of alarming symptoms. If a disease is detected, get advice and therapeutic prescriptions that will stabilize the state of the endocrine system.

Glucose is a substance that is one of the central products of the metabolic reaction. Deviations from the normal content of this substance in the blood in any direction lead to dire consequences. But if everyone has heard about the dangers of high sugar levels, few non-specialists know that a lack of glucose is no less dangerous.

Sugar (glucose) is the simplest compound formed during the breakdown of carbohydrates supplied with food. With a lack of carbohydrates, glucose can be formed from the breakdown of fats and proteins. If the sugar level deviates from the norm, then either the deposition of the substance in the cells occurs (in case of excess), or energy starvation of the cells (in case of deficiency).

How is the analysis carried out?

There are several ways to assess your glucose level:

• express analysis of capillary blood using test strips; such an analysis can be carried out independently using a glucometer;
• laboratory analysis with sampling from a vein.

Advice! Sometimes it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive analysis to judge changes in the concentration of sugar in the blood during the day.

When taking routine sugar tests, you must follow these rules:

Normal blood test value (in mol/l):

• in adults – 3.8-5.4;
• in women during pregnancy – 3.4-6.4;
• in children – 3.4-5.4.

Causes of hypoglycemia

A significant decrease in sugar levels is called hypoglycemia. With this disease, organs and tissues through the bloodstream do not receive the necessary nutrition, the brain and heart are especially affected. What reasons can cause low blood sugar? It turns out that there are many such reasons; they can be divided into common, rare and additional.

Common reasons

The most common causes of low blood sugar levels are:

• diabetes;
• disruptions in the functioning of the adrenal glands and pituitary gland;
• use of sugar-lowering drugs in excessive doses;
• liver diseases that cause disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism.

Thus, the reasons affecting glucose levels can be divided into internal and external. Drug causes are often found in diabetic patients if the dose of insulin is incorrectly selected for them.

Advice! In addition to improper use of medications, fasting, including long-term adherence to a low-calorie diet, can provoke low blood sugar.

Other external causes that can lead to the development of hypoglycemia:

• abuse of sweet foods; when eating sweets, the glucose level first rises sharply, then rapidly falls;
• frequent drinking of alcohol;
• excessive physical activity;
• mental stress.

Rarely encountered reasons

Reasons for decreased glucose concentrations such as surgery on the stomach and intestines are relatively rare. Hypoglycemia in this case develops when the diet recommended after surgery is not followed.

A separate type of disease is reactive hypoglycemia. In such patients, the sugar level drops sharply during long breaks in eating and is restored immediately after the person eats something.

Additional factors

In some rather rare cases, low sugar concentration is provoked by factors such as:

• the appearance of insulin-producing tumors. Such tumors can develop in the pancreas and beyond;
• autoimmune diseases in which the body produces antibodies to insulin;
• renal or heart failure.

How does it manifest?

There are different degrees of hypoglycemia. In a number of patients, sugar levels drop sharply only in the morning; the disease manifests itself:

But as soon as a person has breakfast, the sugar concentration stops and all unpleasant symptoms disappear. At the first stage of hypoglycemia, the following symptoms are noted:

• a sudden feeling of hunger;
• fatigue under any type of load;
• feeling of weakness, desire to lie down;
• mood swings;
• decrease in blood pressure.

When the next stage of hypoglycemia occurs, the following is noted:

• pale skin;
• feeling of “goosebumps” running throughout the body;
• blurred vision (objects appear double);
• sweating;
• the appearance of a feeling of fear;
• hand tremors;
• sensitivity disorder.

At the third stage, nervous excitement joins the condition, and the person may behave inappropriately. When the last stage occurs, convulsions, trembling throughout the body, fainting and coma appear. If a person does not get help, he may die.

Treatment

If the sugar concentration is low, it is necessary to identify the reasons that could provoke this condition. Anamnesis is collected by interviewing the patient himself or his relatives, if the patient himself is in serious condition.

In the event that low sugar levels are caused by dysfunction of the endocrine glands (pancreas, pituitary gland, adrenal glands), treatment aimed at normalizing hormonal levels is necessary. If the cause of the disease is an incorrectly selected dose of insulin, it is necessary to adjust it.

People with diabetes need to use a glucometer to monitor their glucose levels. Under no circumstances should you take or adjust the dosage of sugar-lowering medications on your own.

In addition, you need to watch your diet. People with low glucose concentrations need carbohydrates, but not sugar and sweets, but cereals, vegetables, pasta, and bread. In case of a sharp decrease in glucose, patients should carry a piece of sugar, a chocolate bar or candy with them. Patients should give up alcohol, or at least significantly reduce their consumption.

If there is a sharp deterioration in health caused by hypoglycemia, it is necessary to call an ambulance. After clarifying the diagnosis, the doctor will give an intravenous injection of glucose. In case of loss of consciousness, it is necessary to administer adrenaline (subcutaneously) and glucagon (intramuscular).

Everyone knows about the analysis for measuring glucose levels. It is necessary to regularly monitor the sugar concentration, since any deviations from the normal level are very dangerous. When sugar levels drop, hypoglycemia develops - a serious disease that can be fatal.

Carbohydrate metabolism is the biochemical process of breaking down “complex” carbohydrates into monosaccharides. It is he who suffers primarily from such an endocrine disease as diabetes mellitus (it is characterized by a significant increase in the concentration of glucose in the blood).

Why does hypoglycemia develop? This condition can develop in both a diabetic and an absolutely healthy person. What is associated with low blood sugar: we will look at the causes, symptoms and dangerous consequences of the pathology in our review.

One of the key laboratory indicators of carbohydrate metabolism is blood sugar - its low level is not considered normal and is called hypoglycemia in medicine.

Important! In a healthy person, the physiological values ​​of sugar are 3.3-5.5 mmol/l on an empty stomach and do not exceed 7.8 mmol/l after meals.

What does low blood sugar mean?

Hypoglycemia is no less dangerous than its opposite condition – hyperglycemia. Insufficient concentration of the nutrient and the main source of ATP in the blood leads to disruption of the functioning of internal organs. First of all, the heart and brain suffer, requiring a constant and uninterrupted supply of energy.

Causes

So, why is blood sugar low? Most often, any disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism are usually associated with diabetes, and this is partly true: hypoglycemia is one of the complications of the disease.

Hypoglycemia as a complication of diabetes mellitus

This laboratory pathology can be provoked by:

1. Overdose of insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs.
2. Starvation.
3. Long time interval between meals.
4. Chronic somatic diseases in the stage of decompensation.
5. Acute infections, intoxication.
6. Heavy physical activity, intense mental work.
7. Drinking alcohol in large doses.

Another common mistake patients make that leads to a sharp decrease in glucose concentration is the use of a large number of medicinal plants and products with glucose-lowering properties during insulin treatment.

Table 1: Plants that enhance the effect of hypoglycemic agents:

	chicory (herb); hawthorn fruits; rose hip; linden (flowers); burdock grass; lingonberry (leaves); dandelion grass; bean shells; Bay leaf; clover.
	Jerusalem artichoke; radish; zucchini; asparagus; bell pepper; garlic; eggplant; spinach; parsley; horseradish.
	black currant; chokeberry; blackberry; raspberries; pineapples; cowberry; sour apples; citrus.

Important! The selection of the dosage of anti-diabetic drugs is carried out by the attending physician strictly individually. In addition, it is important for the patient to regularly monitor his condition at home using an individual glucometer. Without treatment, low blood sugar—hypoglycemia—can cause life-threatening complications.

Other factors in the development of pathology

What other conditions provoke low blood sugar: the cause may be related to:

• insulinoma - a hormone-producing tumor of the pancreas;
• severe liver diseases;
• the patient’s condition after resection (partial removal) of the stomach or intestines;
• congenital deficiency of enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism;
• pathologies of the hypothalamic-pituitary system;
• diseases of the adrenal glands.

In healthy people, pathology occurs when:

• prolonged and intense physical activity;
• following a strict diet, fasting;
• irregular food intake;
• during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Clinical manifestations

The first signs of a decrease in glucose levels begin to appear when its value reaches 3.3 mmol/l.

Note! In diabetics, pathological symptoms may develop much earlier, since the body is already accustomed to living in conditions of high sugar content. Sometimes hypoglycemia manifests itself with a sharp decrease in glucose levels (for example, in cases where it was 20 and became 10 mmol/l).

The severity of signs of pathology can be divided into three degrees.

Table 2: Severities of hypoglycemia:

Important! The development of hypoglycemia in a child is especially dangerous, since young patients do not feel it approaching or cannot talk about their complaints. Low blood sugar can only be diagnosed in a newborn or infant using a glucometer.

Possible consequences

How dangerous is the pathological syndrome?

A one-time slight decrease in blood sugar concentration does not pose a threat to health and goes away immediately after eating. Prolonged and severe hypoglycemia can cause coma, stroke, and in some cases (if the pathology is not diagnosed on time) death of the patient.

Normalization methods

What to do if your sugar level drops sharply? Methods of emergency care and prevention of hypoglycemia should be familiar to everyone, especially patients suffering from diabetes.

What can be done immediately?

Eliminating the first signs of pathology is quite simple. It is enough to eat one of the following foods within 5-10 minutes:

• sugar or honey – 1-2 tsp;
• caramel or chocolate candy – 1-2 pcs;
• fruit juice – 100-150 ml.

Taking rapidly digestible carbohydrates will normalize physiological glucose values ​​in the shortest possible time and prevent the progression of pathology. If time is lost, and the victim has already developed signs of hypoglycemic syndrome, he should be immediately provided with emergency assistance.

Its algorithm includes:

1. Place the patient in a horizontal position with raised legs.
2. Call an ambulance with a brief description of the situation.
3. Clearing the airways (if the patient is unconscious, you need to carefully turn him on his side to avoid aspiration of the bronchial tree with vomit).
4. Ensuring a flow of fresh air.

After the ambulance team arrives, doctors assess the victim’s condition and establish a preliminary diagnosis, the patient is injected intravenously with a 40% glucose solution and an intravenous drip infusion of a 5% solution of the drug is established. After this, he is urgently hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the nearest hospital.

How can I avoid developing the condition in the future?

Even a one-time decrease in blood sugar levels cannot be ignored. It is important to find out the causes of the pathology and promptly address them. Only comprehensive treatment of the underlying disease will avoid the development of the problem in the future.

If episodes of hypoglycemia are associated with diabetes, it is important to consult with an endocrinologist, select the optimal dosage of insulin and glucose-lowering drugs, and follow the doctor’s recommendations. A balanced, regular diet is also important.

The diet for low blood sugar is:

1. Regular meals 5-6 times a day in small portions. Patients with diabetes, especially those receiving insulin therapy, are recommended to eat according to the schedule every 2.5-3 hours. Skipping meals, including snacks, is strictly prohibited.
2. A sharp restriction in the diet of easily digestible carbohydrates. There are now many products for diabetics in health food departments that will help maintain normal sugar levels throughout the day.
3. Avoiding coffee and alcoholic beverages.
4. The presence in the daily menu of products that normalize carbohydrate metabolism - vegetables, nuts, cheese, fish, flax seeds.

Compliance with all these points will help avoid the development of hypoglycemia. If the syndrome does develop, it is important to stop it in a timely manner and prevent the development of complications.

Prevention of hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is not as harmless as it may seem. A drop in blood glucose concentration reduces performance, impairs quality of life, and provokes the development of chronic diseases.

To prevent hypoglycemia, you must follow simple but effective rules:

• for diabetics it is important to follow the rules for taking insulin and its dosage;
• monitoring the concentration of glucose in the blood with a glucometer;
• In no case should you allow long breaks between meals;
• It is advisable to avoid alcohol consumption;
• when planning physical activity, it is necessary to provide for mandatory additional nutrition in the form of chocolate, sweets, and sugar-containing products;
• be sure to drink warm tea with sugar or honey after intense physical activity;
• You should always have d-glucose or glucagon tablets with you.

A low concentration of glucose in the blood, if it is constant or frequent, indicates insufficient energy metabolism in the body. It is commonly believed that only diabetics should measure their blood sugar levels, but this is not true. The advent of portable glucometers allows anyone to monitor this indicator.

A modern person who follows the rules of a healthy lifestyle is obliged to monitor his energy, for which he must have a glucometer at home or always with him. Controlling glucose levels is important for the prevention of many metabolic pathologies. Glucose is not sugar, it is life itself.

Questions for the doctor

Consequences of hypoglycemia

Hello! I am 32 years old, I have had diabetes mellitus 1 since childhood. Now I often go into hypothermia, several times until I lose consciousness. At the hospital, the doctor said that low sugar is even worse than high sugar. Why are we reducing it then?

Hello! Hypoglycemia is dangerous, first of all, due to its sudden development and extremely negative effect on the nervous system. That is why, when its symptoms develop (anxiety, weakness, strong feelings of hunger), you should first eat candy or drink sweet tea, and only then take out a glucometer for analysis.

Constantly high glucose levels, although easier to tolerate, also have an extremely negative impact on health. Therefore, you should always try to maintain normal sugar levels.

Interpretation of the study

Hello! I have a strange situation with my tests: in the morning on an empty stomach my sugar is high (ranges from 6.1 to 7.3), and in the afternoon and evening it is low – 4.2-5.3. With what it can be connected?

Hello! High fasting glucose levels are an indication for a more in-depth study of carbohydrate metabolism. I recommend that you contact an endocrinologist and get tested (glucose tolerance test, glyhemoglobin test, etc.).