Prevention and treatment of hyper- and hypoglycemia as possible causes of impaired consciousness. Emergency care | Ukrainian Medical Journal

In the practice of emergency medical care, family physicians, neurologists, endocrinologists, and internists may encounter cases of acute hypoglycemia, and in the absence of timely assistance, the patient may die. Hypoglycemia is a dangerous condition that occurs when blood glucose levels drop below 3.9 mmol/L (a warning level according to the American Diabetes Association guidelines 2025), accompanied by weakness, sweating, tremors, and dizziness. It most commonly occurs in people with diabetes, but can also result from fasting, physical exertion, or pancreatic tumors. The condition develops suddenly, requires immediate intake of carbohydrates, and in severe cases, can cause seizures and loss of consciousness. Irritability, anxiety, and blurred vision may also occur. A drop in blood sugar levels is most often caused by an excessive insulin dose, skipping a meal, or insufficient carbohydrate intake. Hypoglycemia can also be caused by alcohol abuse or liver or kidney disease.

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