Hypoglycemia is a dangerous complication, which is a factor that interferes with blood sugar control in people with diabetes. This complication can occur when people with diabetes are treated with insulin or sulfonylureas. If not detected and treated early, It can lead to coma and bring many hazards to the patient.

1. What is hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia is when blood sugar levels are below 3.9 mmol/l (<70mg/dl) A condition that occurs when the body lacks glucose to function, causing bodily dysfunction, and low blood sugar needs to be treated quickly to limit complications.

Second, the cause of hypoglycemia

1. Caused by insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs

Hypoglycemia is a complication in diabetic patients treated with insulin, and insulin absorption is very different between injections. Concomitant factors may increase peak plasma concentrations, and relative hyperinsulinemia may also be seen due to infection or decreased insulin resistance during pregnancy, or due to increased insulin sensitivity (weight loss or excessive exercise).

Hypoglycemia due to oral medications, although uncommon, can occur.

It is especially seen in people with diabetes who are taking insulin or oral antidiabetic drugs but reducing portion sizes or delaying mealtimes.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol increases the risk of hypoglycemia because alcohol inhibits gluconeogenesis. Additionally, alcohol can reduce or confuse warning symptoms of low blood sugar. People who drink alcohol often go to bed without eating, so it can be difficult to identify.

3. What are the hazards of hypoglycemia?

The complications of sudden hypoglycemia are much more dangerous than hyperglycemia, especially for people with diabetes. Especially the nighttime hypoglycemia, for the elderly, if not detected and treated in time, it can even lead to death.

Because the human brain uses only glucose for energy, low blood sugar can affect the activity of the nervous system, affect perception and cause damage to the brain.

It can also cause coma and convulsions, factors that increase the risk of damage to health, indirectly affect the patient, and may even lead to death.

Directly affects the nervous system

For the elderly and diabetic patients, sudden manifestations are often unknown, and it is difficult for patients to realize that they have low blood sugar and cannot deal with them in time.

Fourth, the following steps can be taken to prevent hypoglycemia while people are sleeping:

1. Measure blood sugar before going to bed

All people with diabetes who are at risk of hypoglycemia should check their blood sugar at bedtime to ensure that hypoglycemia does not occur at night. If you find that your blood sugar is below par before going to bed, eat something sweet before going to bed.

2. Identify the signs of nocturnal hypoglycemia

Symptoms of hypoglycemia, which usually occur when blood sugar is below 70 mg/dl, include shaking, confusion, sweating, headache, dizziness, and erratic behavior.

3. Don't skip dinner

Skipping or eating very little dinner is one of the most common causes of low blood sugar at night. Eat a healthy, well-balanced dinner, but pay attention to the amount of food.

4. Avoid excessive exercise late at night

Regular exercise is very beneficial for people with diabetes, but avoid exercising too much before bed as it can lead to low blood sugar at night. You should avoid exercising within two hours of bedtime. If bedtime blood sugar is below 100 mg/dl after exercise, double the amount of food in the bedtime snack to avoid the risk of nighttime hypoglycemia.

So, if left untreated, overnight low blood sugar can cause headaches and insomnia in people, and in severe cases, convulsions and even death. Nocturnal hypoglycemia is type I and II common symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.