Causes and incidence of hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia is a Greek medical term. Literally means "low blood sugar" and  describes a pathologic state that takes place, when blood glucose level is less than normal figures. The terms "insulin shock" and
"hypoglycemic shock" are used to describe severe hypoglycemia which results in
unconsciousness.
Hypoglycemia occurs, when blood glucose is consumed rapidly, if excessive amount of
insulin is released into the bloodstream.
 Unless it happens as a
side-effect of diabetes treatment, hypoglycemia can
be caused by numerous diseases, such as hormone or enzyme deficiencies, liver disease or
insulin-secreting tumors of the pancreas.
Hypoglycemia can also occur,
when a meal is missing or delayed, if physical
activity is more than usual or as a response to the consumption of alcohol.
Hypoglycemia is often
multifactorial or even iatrogenic. Hospitalized patients, especially in intensive care
units or those deprived from eating, can experience hypoglycemia due to a variety of
reasons related to the care of their primary disease. Once identified, these types of
hypoglycemia are readily reversed. Occasionally, the cause of hypoglycemia is unknown and
it is characterized as idiopathic.
Hypoglycemia can occur in
people who take certain diabetes medications to
keep their blood glucose levels in control. Excessive doses of insulin (hyperinsulinism)
or some diabetes oral medicines, including sulfonylureas and meglitinides can lead to hypoglycemia.
The condition can occur in
adults, infants, children and affects approximately one out of every thousand people.
Relative hypoglycemia.
Relative hypoglycemia in which a newborn baby's blood glucose is low, is fairly
common. Severe hypoglycemia may occur in an infant born to a woman with diabetes or gestational diabetes.
If, during the pregnancy, the mother's blood sugar is persistently high, the fetus'
pancreas assists in controlling the excess blood sugar by producing extra insulin. After
delivery, although the mother's glucose does not exist any more, the baby's pancreas
keeps on producing large amounts of insulin. Such a condition decreases the infant's
blood sugar to dangerous levels. This is a medical emergency which, if untreated, it may
result in seizures and damage of the baby's nervous system.
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