According to MSc.BS Nguyen Thi Kim Hoan, Department of Endocrinology - Diabetes, Bach Mai Hospital, hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels drop below normal, usually below 3.9 mmol/L. This is a common acute complication in people with diabetes, especially in those being treated with insulin or insulin-stimulating drugs.
If not detected and treated promptly, hypoglycemia can cause loss of consciousness, convulsions, coma, and even life-threatening.
Causes and recognizable signs
Most cases of hypoglycemia are related to treatment such as insulin or medication overdose, skipping meals, eating too little starch, strenuous exercise, drinking alcohol or suffering from diseases such as liver failure, kidney failure.
Patients often experience symptoms such as cold sweating, trembling hands and feet, rapid heartbeat, burning fainting, dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue. When the condition worsens, patients may be confused, have difficulty speaking, blurred vision, stagger, convulsions or coma.
Proper treatment to avoid complications
For patients who are still conscious, rule 15-15 can be applied: Supplement immediately with about 15g of sugar (glucose tablets, fruit juice or sugary soda), then check blood sugar again after 15 minutes. If blood sugar is still below 3.9 mmol/L, continue to supplement sugar and monitor until stable.
When the patient shows signs of drowsiness, loss of consciousness or inability to swallow, do not try to feed or drink because it can cause choking. It is necessary to quickly call emergency services, and if glucagon is available and is instructed to use it, relatives can inject the drug while waiting for medical staff.
After the patient wakes up, they should eat a light meal with starch to maintain blood sugar and go to a medical facility to assess the cause and adjust the treatment regimen if necessary.
To reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, patients need to use medication as prescribed, do not skip meals, eat enough carbohydrates before exercising, regularly monitor blood sugar and always carry candy or glucose pills for treatment when needed.
Experts also recommend that patients and their loved ones should recognize signs of hypoglycemia early, and understand how to handle it initially. Handling it correctly from the first minutes can help prevent serious complications and protect the safety of patients.
