Hypoglycemia. Low blood glucose

(Low blood glucose)

A condition of low glucose in the blood. Hypoglycemia is caused by: 1) taking too much insulin or oral diabetic medications; 2) not eating or drinking enough; 3) liver disease; 4) a insulin producing tumor of the pancreas; 5) drinking alcohol. Sometimes no cause is found. If severe and untreated it can lead to stroke and death.

Symptoms:
Hunger, irritability, confusion, unconsciousness, sweating, death.

Treatment:
Treatment ranges from a meal, oral glucose (sugar), glucagon, to intravenous glucose to raise the glucose level in the blood stream. The cause of the low blood sugar needs to be removed to prevent recurrence.

Other tests depend on the cause of the low glucose.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure

A blood pressure that is too low to support bodily functions. If insufficient blood is delivered to the cells of the body there will not be enough oxygen and the organs will begin to fail. There are many causes including: blood loss, heart attack, heart failure, infection, severe allergic reaction, trauma, and toxins. Also called hypotension. Blood pressure is recorded by measuring a larger and smaller number. The larger number is called the systolic blood pressure and the lower is the diastolic blood pressure. Systolic pressures less than 90 mm Hg are considered too low.

Symptoms:
Weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating, fainting, breathing problems.

Treatment:
Reversal of the cause of the low blood pressure is essential. The blood pressure will be increased with intravenous fluids, blood transfusions and or pressors. Pressors (Norepinephrine, dopamine) elevate blood pressure by constricting the blood vessels and increasing the contraction of the heart.

Tests will be done to determine the cause of the low blood pressure.