Hypoglycemia is more harmful than hyperglycemia

The harm of hyperglycemia can be said to be measured in years, while the harm of hypoglycemia is measured in minutes. Therefore, patients with diabetes should pay attention to and prevent hypoglycemia in their daily lives. Hypoglycemia is a state of low blood sugar concentration caused by various reasons. When blood sugar is lowered and corresponding symptoms and signs appear, it is called hypoglycemia.

 

According to the latest diagnostic criteria for hypoglycemia set by the American Diabetes Association, the Canadian Diabetes Society and the European Medicines Agency: For diabetic patients, hypoglycemia can be diagnosed if the blood sugar is lower than or equal to 3.9mmol/L. Acute hypoglycemia has characteristic clinical manifestations, such as symptoms of hypoglycemia, low blood sugar levels found on examination, and rapid relief of symptoms after sugar supplementation.

 

Normal levels of blood sugar are necessary for human metabolism and are very important for maintaining the functions of various tissues and organs of the human body. However, too high or too low blood sugar (collectively referred to as "abnormal blood sugar") is harmful to the human body. Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood sugar. Long-term high blood sugar can lead to various chronic complications. Therefore, most diabetic patients are concerned about and worried about high blood sugar.

 

In fact, hypoglycemia is no less harmful to the human body than hyperglycemia, or even worse. Chronic complications caused by hyperglycemia usually take several years or even more than ten years, while serious harm to the human body caused by hypoglycemia may occur within a few hours, and in severe cases, it may even be fatal. Short-term, mild hypoglycemia will only cause physical discomfort such as hunger, palpitation, cold sweats, fatigue, and trembling, but generally will not cause much harm to the human body. Severe (or long-term) hypoglycemia will cause greater harm to the human body, mainly in the following aspects.

 

Hazard 1. Cause rebound hyperglycemia and blood sugar fluctuations. Hypoglycemia can cause rebound hyperglycemia, which in turn causes large fluctuations in blood sugar, making the condition difficult to control. This is because when hypoglycemia occurs, the secretion of glycemic hormones (such as epinephrine, glucocorticoids, etc.) in the body increases, leading to a rebound increase in blood sugar after hypoglycemia (sumuji reaction), exacerbating blood sugar fluctuations. It has been proven that blood sugar fluctuations are even more harmful than sustained high blood sugar and are an independent risk factor leading to chronic complications of diabetes.

 

Hazard 2. Leading to insanity and coma. Blood sugar is the most important energy source of the body, especially brain tissue. All the energy required for metabolic activities is provided by glucose in the blood. Therefore, hypoglycemia is particularly serious in damaging the central nervous system, causing patients to have limb twitches, epileptic seizures, and mental disorders. In severe cases, it can lead to coma or even death. In addition, long-term and repeated hypoglycemia can also cause mental decline and dementia.

 

Hazard 3. Prolonged hypoglycemia can turn the patient into a vegetative state. Brain tissue activities require an endless supply of blood sugar. Therefore, long-term and repeated episodes of hypoglycemia can cause irreversible damage to the central nervous system, causing personality changes, mental decline, and dementia. etc. In severe cases, the patient may become a vegetative state.

 

Harm 4. Inducing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents and sudden death. Hypoglycemia can also stimulate sympathetic nerve excitement, causing vasoconstriction, elevated blood pressure, accelerated heart rate, increased myocardial oxygen consumption, and increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents. Especially when hypoglycemia occurs in the elderly, it can easily induce complications such as heart rhythm disorder, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and stroke, so special care should be taken.

 

Hazard 5. Causing accidental injuries. Hypoglycemia can cause patients to feel dizzy, confused or even faint, which can greatly increase the incidence of accidents such as falls and fractures.

 

Summary: In short, whether it is high blood sugar or low blood sugar, it will cause serious harm to the patient's body. Therefore, diabetic patients must control blood sugar steadily and try to avoid large fluctuations in blood sugar. In addition, carry some candies with you when you go out, and carry a diabetic card with you so that you can get help from others in time in case of hypoglycemia and coma.