The condition of having low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia, doctors at the University of Virginia Health System report. Blood sugar, or blood glucose, is the source of the body's energy supply and when glucose levels are too low, the body cannot operate efficiently. About 60 to 120 milligrams of glucose per deciliter (mg/dl) of blood is the normal range.
Identification
Blood sugar levels below 45 mg/dl can be cause for alarm. Extremely low glucose levels can cause shakiness, sweating, irritability and headache. Other symptoms that can indicate a severe drop in blood sugar include a pale skin color, sudden depressed moodiness that may precipitate crying for no reason and difficulty concentrating. Some people experience a tingling sensation around the mouth. Untreated, low blood sugar can lead to a coma.
Types
Hypoglycemia can exist as a disease on its own or be a side effect of another condition. Diabetics can have an insulin reaction from taking too much medication and experience a sudden, severe drop in blood sugar. Excessive alcohol consumption on an empty stomach can trigger a hypoglycemic attack that can lead to a coma. Certain psychological conditions can cause serious low blood sugar reactions, as can various medications, such as those used to treat AIDS-related pneumonia.
Significance
A coma is characterized by a complete lack of consciousness. The person is unconscious and cannot be aroused. The eyes remain closed. The lack of glucose causes interference with the body's ability to provide the brain with necessary nutrients, resulting in the coma. The brain malfunctions and can become permanently damaged if not treated.
Treatment
Researchers at Merck report that immediate intravenous treatment with glucose is required to prevent permanent brain damage. Diabetics and others with hypoglycemia should wear medical identification bracelets or pendants to alert health care providers of the condition so they can administer the proper treatment as soon after the coma started as possible. The glucose infusion often achieves immediate results and the person comes out of the coma.
Potential
If patients receive intravenous glucose within one hour of going into the coma, the odds are good they will experience a complete recovery with no residual brain damage. When coming back to consciousness, patients should be able to speak, visually follow an object and obey commands. Brain death occurs when the patient does not respond and can no longer perform any bodily functions independently, including breathing. A person who is diagnosed as brain dead is legally dead.
