Page 277 - fourth year book

DIABETES MELLITUS

A. Acute Complications:

1. Diabetic Hypoglycemia :

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) defined hypoglycemia in patients
with diabetes as: all episodes of an abnormally low plasma glucose

concentration that expose the patient to potential harm.

 No single threshold value was assigned to define hypoglycemia
since this value may differ among patients.

 An alert value of <70 mg/dL (<3.8 mmol/L) was chosen to draw
the attention of patients and caregivers and also for use as a cut-off

value in the classification of hypoglycemia.

 Causes:

Common causes of diabetic hypoglycemia include:

 Taking too much insulin or diabetes medication

 Not eating enough
 Postponing or skipping a meal or snack

 Increasing exercise or physical activity without eating more or
adjusting medications

 Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia :

 Shakiness Nervousness or anxiety
 Sweating, chills and clamminess
 Irritability or impatience
 Confusion, including delirium
 Rapid/fast heartbeat

 Lightheadedness or dizziness
 Hunger and nausea
 Sleepiness
 Blurred/impaired vision
 Tingling or numbness in the lips or tongue

 Weakness or fatigue
 Lack of coordination
 Nightmares or crying out during sleep
 Seizures
 Unconsciousness

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