*Plasma glucose < 45-50 mg/dL
*Neuroglycopenia and/or hyperadrenegic symptoms
*Resolution of symptoms on administration of glucose
It is common in diabetics and the limiting factor in the management of diabetes both conceptually and in practice.
Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia result from neuronal glucose deprivation and can be divided into two categories: autonomic and neuroglycopenic. The automatic responses of failing plasma glucose concentrations are sensitive indicators of hypoglycemia.
Epinephrine release from the adrenal medulla causes tachycardia, pallor, anxiety and tremulousness by stimulating β-adrenergic receptors. Sweating is a prominent of symptom of hypoglycemia and probably has a cholinergic cause.
Neurologic symptoms, such as confusion, lightheadedness, headache, aberrant behavior, blurred vision, loss of conciseness or seizure, are called neuroglycopenic symptoms if they are relieved by food ingestion or the administration of glucose. Because glucose is the main fuel of metabolism in brain tissue, reduced levels of glucose may insufficient to supply the brain with it energy requirements.
Such symptoms, especially if recurrent are more specific and indicate a pathologic cause of hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia may be difficult to notice and may occur more frequently in a person with diabetes who has been using insulin for a few years.
These could be because the two main counterregulatory system do not function after a 1 to 5 year duration of insulin dependency.
What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia?
