Hypoglycemia
(Low Blood Sugar)

• Hypoglycemia Overview
• Hypoglycemia Causes
• Hypoglycemia Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Questions to Ask the Doctor
• Exams and Tests
• Hypoglycemia Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
  • Learn more about medications like Glucagon on RxList.com.
• Medications
• Surgery
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Related hypoglycemia articles:
  Hypoglycemia - on WebMD
  Hypoglycemia - on MedicineNet

Diabetes Emergencies Medical Author: Ruchi Mathur, M.D. Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Viewers have been submitting a number of questions about emergency situations as they pertain to patients with diabetes. While every situation is different and each patient has different needs and demands, we at eMedicineHealth felt that it would be helpful to address some significant issues. Patients with diabetes who require insulin (either type 1 or type 2 diabetes) do pose a challenge when it comes to emergency situations. Let me outline some of the problems and hopefully present some useful options. Air Travel And Diabetes Medications With the changes in regulations in air travel, patients with diabetes are concerned about what they can, and cannot pack in their carry–on luggage. From the TSA website: Notify the Security Officer that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you. The following diabetes–related supplies and equipment are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened: Insulin and insulin loaded dispensing products (vials or box of individual vials, jet injectors, biojectors, epipens, infusers, and preloaded syringes; Unlimited number of unused syringes when accompanied by insulin or other injectable medication; lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose meter test strips, alcohol swabs, meter–testing solutions; Insulin pump and insulin pump supplies (cleaning agents, batteries, plastic tubing, infusion kit, catheter, and needle); Insulin pumps and supplies must be accompanied by insulin. Glucagon emergency kit; Urine ketone test strips; Unlimited number of used syringes when transported in Sharps disposal container or other similar hard–surface container. Sharps disposal containers or similar hard–surface disposal container for storing used syringes and test strips. Read more about how to manage diabetes emergencies » Top Searched Hypoglycemia Terms: reactive hypoglycemia, diet, symptoms, low blood sugar , treatment , diabetes , hypoglycemia and pregnancy , diabetic shock symptoms , metabolic disorder

Hypoglycemia Overview

Low blood sugar, or (hypoglycemia, is a commonly perceived problem. In actuality, while some or many of the symptoms may be present, it is rarely documented. The presence of true, documented hypoglycemia in the absence of diabetes treatment is cause for a comprehensive evaluation by an endocrinologist. It usually affects those at the extremes of age, such as small babies and the elderly, but may happen at any age. Generally, hypoglycemia is defined as a serum glucose level (the amount of sugar or glucose in your blood) below 60 mg/dL. However, hypoglycemia as a medical problem is diagnosed by the presence of 3 key features, also known as the Whipple triad. The Whipple triad consists of the following: (1) symptoms consistent with hypoglycemia, (2) a low plasma glucose concentration, and (3) relief of symptoms after the plasma glucose level is raised. Symptoms of hypoglycemia, however, usually begin at a level below 60 mg/dL. Some people may feel symptoms before this level. A level of 50 mg/dL is thought to affect brain function.

• The body regulates its level of glucose, a primary source of energy for the brain, muscles, and other cells, by the actions of different hormones such as insulin, glucagon, and epinephrine.
  
  
  • Both insulin and glucagon are manufactured in the pancreas, an organ that assists the digestive tract. Special cells in the pancreas called beta cells make insulin and alpha cells make glucagon.
    
    
  • The role of insulin is to help in the absorption of glucose in the blood by causing it to be stored in the liver or used by other cells in the body.
    
    
  • Glucagon increases the amount of glucose in the blood by breaking down stored glucose called glycogen and releasing it into the bloodstream.
    
    
  • Insulin and glucagon are usually correctly balanced if the liver and pancreas are healthy.
    
    
• Epinephrine (or adrenalin), traditionally referred to as a stress hormone, is made in the adrenal gland and in certain cells in the central nervous system. It also elevates blood glucose levels by making glucose available for the body during a time of stress. When this mechanism is not working properly, hypoglycemia can result. Other hormones, like cortisol made by the adrenal gland and growth hormone made by the pituitary gland, also help in raising the level of blood glucose.