hypoglycaemia

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An abnormally low concentration of glucose in the blood. With regular meals, and despite an overnight fast, the level does not normally drop at any time below its range of 3.5-5.5 mmol/litre. Healthy people become hypoglycaemic only after a more prolonged fast, or heavy exercise without adequate intake. Severe hypoglycaemia can occur in people with diabetes whose insulin dosage has been excessive relative to food intake. Because the brain depends exclusively on glucose for its metabolism, they may lose consciousness in hypoglycaemic coma, but wake up rapidly if glucose is infused into a vein.

— Stuart Judge

See blood sugar; insulin.

Abnormally low concentration of plasma glucose; may result in loss of consciousness, hypoglycaemic coma.

Hypoglycaemia is an abnormally low blood sugar level. It is characterized by loss of coordination, muscular weakness, sweating, and mental confusion. Mild hypoglycaemia can occur, paradoxically, by eating too much refined sugar (see insulin rebound). It can also occur after vigorous exercise. Towards the end of a marathon race, the muscle glycogen stores of an overambitious runner become completely exhausted and blood sugar levels drop. The brain is deprived of vital glucose. The runner becomes completely disorientated and may even lose consciousness before reaching the finish line. However, a few minutes after being given a sugary drink, the runner usually makes a rapid recovery.

Severe hypoglycaemia is rare and dangerous; it may lead to unconsciousness and coma. It can be caused by a severely decreased food intake, an alcoholic binge, certain diseases, or by taking medicines containing insulin. Diabetics who take an overdose of insulin suffer hypoglycaemia which is relieved rapidly by the administration of glucose.

Abnormally low blood glucose concentration. It causes loss of coordination, muscle weakness, sweating and mental confusion. Severe hypoglycaemia is rare and dangerous; it may lead to a coma. It may be the result of severe physical exhaustion or an intake of medicines such as insulin. Diabetics are particularly prone to hypoglycaemia, which is rapidly relieved by the administration of glucose. A form of hypoglycaemia called post-exercise delayed-onset hypoglycaemia, can occur in diabetics several hours or a full day after a bout of intense exercise. The exercise may increase the diabetic's sensitivity to insulin and deplete the muscle of glycogen stores, which are replenished from glucose in the general circulation. This type of hypoglycaemia can be prevented by reducing pre-exercise insulin, and increasing pre- and post-exercise carbohydrate intake. It is important that all diabetic athletes monitor their post-exercise blood glucose levels frequently.