hypoglycaemia
Meaning: An abnormally low level of glucose in the blood, typically below 4 mmol/L, causing symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, confusion, and, if severe, loss of consciousness.
Hypoglycaemia most commonly affects people with diabetes who take insulin or certain oral medications, but it can also occur in non-diabetic individuals due to prolonged fasting, excessive alcohol, or rare conditions such as insulinoma. The body relies on a steady blood glucose supply to fuel the brain, so severe hypoglycaemia is a medical emergency. Treatment involves rapidly ingesting fast-acting carbohydrates or, in unconscious patients, administering glucagon. The British spelling uses -aemia (American: -emia). It collocates with 'severe,' 'nocturnal,' 'awareness,' and 'episode.'
Examples
- The paramedics treated the patient's hypoglycaemia with intravenous dextrose after finding him confused and unresponsive. 救护人员发现患者意识混乱、反应迟钝后,用静脉注射葡萄糖治疗了他的低血糖。Los paramédicos trataron la hipoglucemia del paciente con dextrosa intravenosa tras encontrarlo confuso e inconsciente.救急隊員は意識混濁・無反応状態の患者を発見した後、静脈内ブドウ糖投与で低血糖を治療した。구급대원은 의식 혼란 및 무반응 상태로 발견된 환자에게 정맥 내 포도당을 투여하여 저혈당을 치료했다.
- Nocturnal hypoglycaemia is a particular concern for patients with type 1 diabetes, as episodes can go unrecognised during sleep. 夜间低血糖是1型糖尿病患者特别担忧的问题,因为发作可能在睡眠中不被察觉。La hipoglucemia nocturna es una preocupación particular para los pacientes con diabetes de tipo 1, ya que los episodios pueden pasar inadvertidos durante el sueño.夜間低血糖は1型糖尿病患者にとって特に懸念される問題である。睡眠中にエピソードが気づかれないことがあるためである。야간 저혈당은 1형 당뇨병 환자에게 특히 우려되는 문제이다. 수면 중에 에피소드가 인지되지 않을 수 있기 때문이다.
- The diabetes specialist nurse taught the patient how to recognise the early warning signs of hypoglycaemia. 糖尿病专科护士教会了患者如何识别低血糖的早期警告信号。La enfermera especialista en diabetes enseñó al paciente a reconocer los primeros signos de alerta de hipoglucemia.糖尿病専門看護師は低血糖の初期警告サインの認識方法を患者に指導した。당뇨병 전문 간호사는 환자에게 저혈당의 초기 경고 징후를 인식하는 방법을 교육했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Greek hypo- (under, below), glykys (sweet), and haima (blood). A medical compound term coined in the early 20th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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