Diabetes: Reasons for low glucose levels and what happens during hypoglycemia

Dr Pradeep Gadge explains what can happen to a diabetic if the blood glucose levels decrease.

By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | | Published: November 24, 2017 12:40 pm

It is a common misconception that diabetics always have high blood glucose levels. If you have diabetes, it can lead to fluctuations in your blood glucose levels and hence the chances of hypoglycemia are also there. The big problem with diabetes is that the patients either have high blood glucose levels or low blood glucose levels when they have to maintain normal glycemic level. So here is what you need to keep in mind to maintain your blood glucose in control, says Dr Pradeep Gadge, Diabetologist, Gadge Diabetes Centre, Mumbai.

To prevent the blood glucose levels to dip, there is a simple thing to remember: IFA triangle — which is insulin, food and activity. If there’s any mismatch between these three things, then the blood glucose level might do down leading to hypoglycemia. Here are types of hypoglycemia you need to know. This could happen if —

You are taking medications for diabetes from outside but are not eating food on time.
You are either on insulin or medications that are given for production of insulin (most anti-diabetic medications trigger insulin production).
You are ill or suffering from a health problem, thereby not eating well.
There is a drug interaction that occurs, which causes the blood glucose level to go down.

What exactly happens during hypoglycemia?

You might have heard different readings of hypoglycemia from different people. The correct reading of hypoglycemia is when your blood glucose level drops below 70mg/dl. This is when the symptoms of hypoglycemia start to appear such as trembling, sweating, palpitations and restlessness, which are quite common. In rare cases, you can also behave in a weird way such as slapping your boss, throwing off the clothes, etc, when the blood glucose level falls. So if you go through this, here’s what you need to do — first aid tips for hypoglycaemia or low blood glucose

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Published : November 24, 2017 12:40 pm

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