Causes and Risks of Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia may be caused by prolonged fasting, excessive exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, hypothyroidism, or hypopituitarism. Appropriate management can be selected based on specific situations. Potential complications of hypoglycemia include nervous system damage, increased cardiovascular burden, endocrine dysfunction, kidney damage, and impacts on daily life and safety.

I. Causes

1. Prolonged fasting: When food is not consumed for a long time, the body's stored glycogen becomes depleted, causing a drop in blood glucose levels and symptoms such as palpitations, hand tremors, sweating, and hunger. Maintain regular meal times and avoid prolonged fasting. If unable to eat on schedule due to special circumstances, prepare some biscuits or candies in advance and consume them promptly when feeling hungry.

2. Excessive exercise: Intense or prolonged physical activity may consume more energy than the body's glycogen reserves and glucose production capacity, triggering hypoglycemia. Symptoms often include dizziness, fatigue, and pallor after exercise. Plan exercise intensity and duration appropriately, and avoid vigorous exercise on an empty stomach. Consume carbohydrates before exercising and drink sugar-containing beverages during physical activity as needed.

3. Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis and interferes with blood glucose regulation mechanisms. Hypoglycemia may occur after heavy drinking, accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and sweating. Control alcohol intake and avoid drinking on an empty stomach. If hypoglycemic symptoms occur after drinking, consume sugary foods or drink sugar water promptly.

4. Hypothyroidism: This condition is usually caused by insufficient thyroid hormone secretion, leading to a decreased metabolic rate, gastrointestinal dysfunction, poor nutrient absorption, and subsequent effects on blood glucose levels. Symptoms may include fatigue, cold intolerance, excessive sleepiness, memory decline, and hypoglycemia. It is recommended to take medications such as thyroid tablets, Yikang capsules, and hydrocortisone tablets under medical guidance to alleviate symptoms.

5. Hypopituitarism: This condition is typically caused by insufficient secretion of stimulating hormones by the anterior pituitary gland, leading to reduced target gland function and impaired glucose metabolism, which may result in hypoglycemia. Symptoms may include fatigue, cold intolerance, pallor, and hypotension. It is recommended to take medications such as hydrocortisone, levothyroxine sodium tablets, and human growth hormone injections under medical guidance to relieve symptoms.

II. Complications

1. Nervous system damage: The brain primarily relies on glucose for energy. Insufficient glucose supply during hypoglycemia can lead to damage of nerve cells. Early symptoms include dizziness and drowsiness, while severe cases may result in coma or seizures. Repeated episodes of hypoglycemia over a long period can cause irreversible brain function decline, affecting memory and cognitive abilities.

2. Increased cardiovascular burden: Hypoglycemia stimulates sympathetic nervous system activation, leading to increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and increased cardiac workload. For patients with existing cardiovascular diseases, this may trigger arrhythmias or angina, and even increase the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke.

3. Endocrine dysfunction: Persistent hypoglycemia stimulates excessive secretion of counter-regulatory hormones such as adrenaline and glucagon, disrupting the balance of the endocrine system and interfering with normal insulin secretion and regulation, thus affecting normal metabolic functions and impairing blood glucose stability.

4. Kidney function impairment: Hypoglycemia may reduce renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate, affecting the kidney's normal filtration and excretion functions. Long-term hypoglycemia may also lead to tubular degeneration, damaging kidney tissue and increasing the risk of kidney disease.

5. Impact on daily life and safety: Symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and blurred vision during hypoglycemic episodes can severely impair attention and reaction ability. If an episode occurs while driving or performing high-altitude work, it may easily lead to accidents, endangering personal and others' safety.

For hypoglycemia caused by different underlying reasons, appropriate treatment measures should be taken, including lifestyle adjustments, pharmacological therapy, and necessary medical interventions. In daily life, attention should be paid to maintaining a balanced diet, eating regularly, and engaging in appropriate physical activity.