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 occurs 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. |
