9 unknown causes of hypoglycemia

The most dangerous thing for people with diabetes when going out is hypoglycemia. Usually, hypoglycemia is when the blood sugar level is lower than 2.8mmol/L. For people with diabetes who are receiving anti-diabetic treatment, hypoglycemia can be diagnosed when the blood sugar is lower than 3.9mmol/L.

Hypoglycemia often occurs during the treatment of diabetes. Common causes include eating too little, exercising too much, and improper use of medications.

In clinical practice, patients with diabetes often have questions. They eat, exercise, and take medications regularly, so why do they still suffer from hypoglycemia from time to time? This is because in addition to the three major causes of hypoglycemia mentioned above, there are many other causes that people are not familiar with.

1. Postprandial hypoglycemia

In the early stage of type 2 diabetes, due to the dysfunction of the body's pancreatic islet cells, the peak of insulin secretion after a meal is obvious, often 4 to 5 hours (equivalent to before the next meal). blood sugar.

solution:

Eat small meals frequently or take an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor by mouth.

2. Excessive drinking or drinking on an empty stomach

When the holidays come, it is inevitable that there will be various wedding banquets and gatherings of friends, and a drink is indispensable. So as I drink one glass after another, the problem arises.

Drinking alcohol can easily lead to hypoglycemia, also known as alcoholic hypoglycemia, which can occur after a meal or on an empty stomach. "Postprandial alcoholic hypoglycemia" often occurs 3-4 hours after drinking alcohol, and is often caused by alcohol stimulating insulin secretion;

"Fasting alcohol hypoglycemia" often occurs about 8 to 12 hours after drinking alcohol.

solution:

You should not drink too much. You must eat before drinking, especially do not drink on an empty stomach at night. Diabetics with poor liver function need to stop drinking.

3. Fat hyperplasia at the injection site

People with diabetes treated with insulin should pay attention. Repeated injections at the same site for a long time will lead to subcutaneous fat hyperplasia and induration, which will delay the absorption of insulin and cause postprandial blood sugar to be high and then low.

solution:

Note that insulin injection sites should be rotated frequently to avoid subcutaneous fat hyperplasia. In addition, you should always check the skin at the injection site. Once you find pain, depression or induration at the injection site, you should stop injecting at that site immediately.

4. Diabetic gastroparesis

Reduced gastrointestinal motility and peristalsis, commonly known as gastroparesis, is a common neurological complication of diabetes, especially among patients with diabetes who have a long course of disease. About 1/3 of patients with diabetes have varying degrees of gastroparesis.

For diabetic patients with gastroparesis, due to delayed gastric emptying, food remains in the stomach for a long time and cannot enter the intestines. The time of food absorption is uncertain (often delayed), so that the peak effect of hypoglycemic drugs is related to postprandial blood sugar. The peaks do not match, thus easily leading to postprandial hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

solution:

People with diabetes who develop gastroparesis should adjust their diet to a low-fiber, semi-liquid diet, which is food that is easier to digest and will not burden the stomach, such as porridge. The administration time should also be adjusted to include meals. Insulin injection time is delayed.

5. Liver and kidney insufficiency

Renal insufficiency results in reduced clearance of antidiabetic drugs, including insulin, leading to accumulation of insulin or antidiabetic drugs in the blood.

People with diabetes who have liver dysfunction are prone to fasting hypoglycemia due to insufficient liver glycogen reserves.

solution:

Regularly check liver and kidney function, and adjust the usage and dosage of hypoglycemic drugs under the guidance of a professional doctor.

6. Hypothyroidism, adrenal gland and pituitary gland function

Hypothyroidism, epinephrine and other glycemic hormone deficiency can easily lead to hypoglycemia.

solution:

If you have any of the above problems, you should also consult your doctor.

7. Pregnancy and childbirth

Some "sugar mothers" are prone to hypoglycemia due to obvious pregnancy reactions in the early stages of pregnancy, such as insufficient eating and vomiting.

In addition, after delivery, as the levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease significantly, the maternal blood sugar also decreases. If the insulin dose is reduced in time, hypoglycemia may easily occur.

solution:

Sugar mothers during pregnancy should not control their diet too strictly. After delivery, the dosage of insulin should be reduced in a timely manner.

8. Diabetes “honeymoon period”

Whether it is type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, in the early stages of the disease, pancreatic islet function will be improved to a certain extent through short-term intensive hypoglycemic treatment. Some patients can maintain normal blood sugar with only a small amount of medication or even no medication. This This period is called the "honeymoon period".

If you continue to maintain the original dose after entering the "honeymoon period", hypoglycemia will inevitably occur.

solution:

Strengthen blood sugar monitoring and timely adjust the dosage of anti-diabetic drugs

9. Insulinoma

The main manifestations are repeated episodes of fasting hypoglycemia, and the patient's neurological symptoms of hypoglycemia are more prominent, often manifesting as limb twitching, convulsions, and even loss of consciousness. The patient's insulin release index is increased (>0.3)

solution

Surgery.

In fact, there are many causes of hypoglycemia. People with diabetes should not ignore other relatively rare triggers. If hypoglycemia occurs repeatedly, you should communicate with your doctor in time, receive guidance, and handle it correctly. One thing you should remember is to carry it with you when you go out or exercise. candy!