Treatment of Hypoglycemia

Abstract

Hypoglycemia is an important condition that can be seen in everyone, more often in those with diabetes mellitus, and can sometimes be life-threatening. Hypoglycemia is a condition that can be prevented with simple precautions. It is a simple procedure that can be done mostly by ordinary people when the treatment is known. The most important step in the treatment is the education of those at risk of hypoglycemia and their relatives. The first step in treatment is to measure blood glucose, if possible. If blood sugar is below 70 mg/dl, hypoglycemia is diagnosed; if it is below 50 mg/dl, it is called severe hypoglycemia. The first approach in a conscious patient is to give the patient 15 mg of carbohydrate and measure the blood glucose again after 15 minutes. If the measured value is <70 mg/dl, the procedure should be repeated. If possible, glucagon should be administered to unconscious, out-of-hospital hypoglycemic patients until emergency help arrives. If glucagon is not available, glucose gel can be applied to the buccal mucosa. 50 ml of 50% glucose IV is administered to an unconscious hypoglycemic patient in the hospital. If the blood sugar does not rise above 70 mg/dl, the procedure is repeated.