Hypoglycemia (hypoglycaemia in
British English) is a medical term referring to a
pathologic state produced by a lower than normal level of
glucose (
sugar) in the blood. The term hypoglycemia literally means "under-sweet blood" (
Gr. hypo-, glykys, haima). Hypoglycemia can produce a variety of symptoms and effects but the principal problems arise from an inadequate supply of glucose as fuel to the
brain, resulting in impairment of function (
neuroglycopenia). Derangements of function can range from vaguely "feeling bad" to
coma and (rarely) permanent brain damage or death. Hypoglycemia can arise from many causes and can occur at any age. If the blood sugar level falls too low the liver converts a storage of
glycogen into glucose and release it into the bloodstream, to prevent the person going in to a diabetic coma, for a short period of time. The most common forms of moderate and severe hypoglycemia occur as a complication of treatment of
diabetes mellitus with
insulin or
oral medications. Hypoglycemia is usually treated by the ingestion or administration of glucose, or foods digestible to glucose.
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