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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you ignore the symptoms of hypoglycemia too long, you may lose consciousness. That's because your brain needs glucose to function properly.

Recognize the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia early because untreated hypoglycemia can lead to:

  • Seizure
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Death, primarily in those with diabetes

On the other hand, if you have diabetes, be careful not to overtreat your low blood sugar. If you do, you may cause your blood sugar level to rise too high. This, too, can be dangerous and may cause damage to your nerves, blood vessels and various organs.

Preparing for your appointment Causes
References
  1. Patient guide on the diagnosis and management of hypoglycemic disorders (low blood sugar) in adults. The Hormone Foundation. http://www.hormone.org/Resources/upload/patient-guide-diagnosis-and-management-hypoglycemia-022509.pdf. Accessed Nov. 12, 2011.
  2. Aminoff MJ, et al. Disorders of cognitive function. Clinical Neurology. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5143601.
    Accessed Nov. 16, 2011.
  3. Hypoglycemia. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/hypoglycemia/index.htm. Accessed Nov. 13, 2011.
  4. Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hypoglycemia-low-blood.html. Accessed Nov. 13, 2011.
  5. Cryer PE, et al. Hypoglycemia. In: Longo DL, et al. Harrison's Online. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=9141631. Accessed Nov. 16, 2011.
  6. Josefson J, et al. Hypoglycemia in the emergency department. Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine. 2009;10:285.
  7. Cryer PE. Hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America. 2010;39:641.
  8. Masharani U, et al. Pancreatic hormones and diabetes mellitus. In: Gardner DG, et al. Greenspan's Basic & Clinical Endocrinology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=8407307. Accessed Nov. 16, 2011.
  9. Goyal N, et al. Type 1 diabetes mellitus. In: Tintinalli JE, et al. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6379758. Accessed Nov. 16, 2011.
  10. Vella A, et al. Hypoglycemia and pancreatic islet cell disorders. In: Goldman L, et al. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-1604-7..00238-4&isbn=978-1-4377-1604-7&uniqId=303466088-3#4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-1604-7..00238-4--s0010. Accessed Nov. 21, 2011.
  11. Service FJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 18, 2011.
DS00198 Feb. 22, 2012

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