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What Causes Hypoglycemia?

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Posted on Fri, 28 Feb 2014
Question: MY MOTHER JUST EXPERIENCED A HYPOGLYCEMIC EPISODE (39) DURING AN ER VISIT FOR AN INFECTION. SHE IS 80 YRS OLD AND TAKES GLIPIZIDE EVERY MORNING. SHE BECAME INCREASINGLY CONFUSED DURING HER 3 DAY HOSPITAL STAY AND HAD HALUCINATIONS. NOW AT HOME FOR ABOUT A WEEK, SHE CONTINUES TO BE VERY SHAKY AND WEAK, NEEDING HELP WITH MOST SELF CARE ACTIVITIES. WILL THIS IMPROVE? IS THERE SOMETHING WE CAN DO TO SPEED RECOVERY?
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Answered by Dr. Haseena Hamdani (3 hours later)
Brief Answer: see the detailed answer Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to XXXXXXX Above symptoms indicates towards hypoglycemia. Your mother's age, associated other diseases like hypertension, heart Disease, chronic kidney disease and other drugs for these diseases, making her more prone for hypoglycemia. Her target for HBA1C should not be less than 7, it should be less than 8. In old age, there is another challenge is that, it is difficult to diagnose hypoglycemic symptoms early, and symptom for Hypoglycemia may vary as compared to younger age group. You need to monitor her blood glucose level closely and set the target bit higher. You may check her blood glucose level 6 times in a day for 7 days, before each 3 main meal, and after 2hours of each main meal. With that record, you can see her Doctor, so he or she would be able to do any changes in dosage, or medication if any need. If you want specific advise, you may tell us exact medicines, dose and timings of her all medicines, and her blood glucose record, other relevant Investigation reports. I am sure these changes should improve her condition. Probably the way forward for better recovery. Another point i would emphasize is that you as her care taker must be well versed with the warning signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia, and to what immediate action you must take. Hope, this answer will help you in managing her case. Dr H Hamdani
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Haseena Hamdani

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 290 Questions

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What Causes Hypoglycemia?

Brief Answer: see the detailed answer Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to XXXXXXX Above symptoms indicates towards hypoglycemia. Your mother's age, associated other diseases like hypertension, heart Disease, chronic kidney disease and other drugs for these diseases, making her more prone for hypoglycemia. Her target for HBA1C should not be less than 7, it should be less than 8. In old age, there is another challenge is that, it is difficult to diagnose hypoglycemic symptoms early, and symptom for Hypoglycemia may vary as compared to younger age group. You need to monitor her blood glucose level closely and set the target bit higher. You may check her blood glucose level 6 times in a day for 7 days, before each 3 main meal, and after 2hours of each main meal. With that record, you can see her Doctor, so he or she would be able to do any changes in dosage, or medication if any need. If you want specific advise, you may tell us exact medicines, dose and timings of her all medicines, and her blood glucose record, other relevant Investigation reports. I am sure these changes should improve her condition. Probably the way forward for better recovery. Another point i would emphasize is that you as her care taker must be well versed with the warning signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia, and to what immediate action you must take. Hope, this answer will help you in managing her case. Dr H Hamdani