Dangerous Complications of Hypoglycemia in Diabetes mellitus .
Hypoglycemia is defined as a condition during which the blood sugar is less than 3.3 mmols / Liter. Prolonged periods of hypoglycemia cause functional/bodily changes which need to be identified and treated for optimal functioning.
Patients suffering diabetes mellitus are most likely to suffer from hypoglycemia. This condition can be due to a variety of factors. I have listed a few of them below..
• Over medication with hypoglycemic medications can cause hypoglycemia. These medications include sulfonylureas, Meglitinides, Biguanides, Thiazolidinediones, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.
• Over medication with insulin (actrapid).
• Being on a reducing diet, low calorie diet or on a protein diet only.
• Starvation, anorexia nervosa, bulimia.
• Over-production of insulin.
• Excessive exercise in the absence of carbohydrates.
Figure: Over dosage of insulin will cause hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia can cause dangerous complications in the short and long terms. Hypoglycemia, whether at home or in the place of employment (e.g. while driving or operating machinery) can create dangerous situations with disastrous consequences.
Prolonged coma in the diabetic patient can lead to transient neurological symptoms such as paresis, convulsions and encephalopathy. In severe cases death may occur. Such patients must be managed in an acute Emergency Facility or the Intensive Care Unit.
Severe hypoglycemia is associated with mild intellectual impairment and permanent neurologic sequelae such as hemiparesis and pontine dysfunction. These are rare but have been reported.
