Causes and effects of hypoglycaemia
The condition of hypoglycaemia develops when the level of glucose in the blood decreases to 3.3-3.0 millimole/l. In glucose starvation of many tissues the cells of the brain get glucose without the insulin influence. In hyperglycemia the brain tissue does not suffer; however, in diabetic ketoacidosis the toxic products affect the nervous tissue. The organism of the healthy person saves glucose for the brain even in the conditions of starvation.
The causes of hypoglycaemia can be the following:
1. Malnutrition. It may occur when there is a too big break between the food intakes or when the carbohydrate value of the food is significantly reduced.
2. Particularly intensive or too long physical activity.
3. Over dosage of insulin. It may occur in dose miscalculation, in high insulin concentration or in erroneous repeated insulin introduction.
4. Consumption of a large dose of alcohol.
5. Combination of several above described factors that act in a small degree separately, but being united play an important role in the decrease of glucose level.
In some cases of the causes of hypoglycaemia occurrence remain obscure though, probably, the patients are inclined to hide some dietetic or insulin therapy breaches.
Hypoglycaemia develops very quickly and can instantly lead to loss of consciousness. Repeated attacks may cause pernicious consequences for of the patient’s intellect. All begins with an easy sense of hunger, dizziness, sometimes there is a sensation of numbness of lips, tongue, and an light excitation. Then an internal shiver, sweating, and palpitation appear. In this case it is desirable to determine the blood sugar level with the help of the visual test or glucometer. It is necessary to take immediately any carbohydrate containing product. At first it is good to take quick-digestible food, for example 2-3 lumps of sugar, a glass of fruit juice, sweet tea or kvass; then one should take more slowly digestible foods such as mashed potatoes, bread, or porridge. This combination of foods, taken in due time, will help to raise the blood sugar level and give it a relative stability.
If the patient has missed for some reasons the approach of hypoglycaemia, he or she will need assistance. To be helped in case of need in the street, the underground and the transport, the person suffering from diabetes always must carry the special card containing the information about the existent diabetes in an external pocket of a shirt or jacket, in a bracelet or pendent.
If the help has not been rendered in time, the secondary symptoms of hypoglycaemia appear. Among them are pronounced pallor, doubling in the eyes, sweating, spasms, strange behavior – the patient may behave as if he or she were drunk; he or she may even resist to the help of surrounding people refusing to take the necessary in this case food. If the surrounding people are competent enough, they will be able to interpret correctly the patient’s behavior and render the necessary assistance. At the same time, one should never forget that patient with diabetes should always have with himself the lumps of sugar.
Hypoglycaemia can pass into hypoglycemic coma and only doctors may in this case help the patient by means of intravenous introduction of 40 % glucose solution or introduction of glucagon (hormone responsible for the level of glucose in blood).
When rendering assistance to the patient with diabetes who has lost consciousness, it is forbidden to pour into his mouth any drinks as the patient cannot swallow and it will simply choke him. It is necessary to call medical ambulance; the patient must be put sideways, the respiratory ways must be released, if necessary, the dentures and the rests of food must be removed. Hypoglycaemia of a mild degree is not very harmful and is quickly eliminated, but the serious form of hypoglycaemia necessitates longer restoration. Hypoglycaemia caused by the intake of a large dose of alcohol may take a rather serious form.
After the attack hypoglycaemia each person should consult the doctor without fail for the establishment of the exact causes that produced the condition.