Occasional slight hypoglycemia, it'll be okay... The cardiovascular system is getting damaged.

 

Mild hypoglycemia accumulation increases the risk of death

A research team at the University of Sheffield in the UK analyzed data from 9,340 diabetes patients. As a result, even very mild hypoglycemia was associated with worse prognosis the more frequently it was experienced. People who experienced mild hypoglycemia more than 12 times a year had a fivefold higher rate of subsequent severe hypoglycemia compared to those who experienced it less than twice a year. There were also differences in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease and mortality rates. The group with 12 or more episodes had 1.5 times higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, 2.08 times higher cardiovascular death rate, and 1.8 times higher overall mortality risk compared to the group with fewer than 2 episodes.

When blood sugar levels drop below the normal range, changes occur in hormone secretion within the body. The secretion of a hormone called aldosterone increases, leading to a decline in vascular function. Additionally, abnormalities in autonomic nervous system regulation can cause arrhythmias. The research team analyzes that these combined changes likely increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.

Eating sweets or drinking sugary beverages may lead to quick recovery, but hypoglycemia should not be regarded as a minor episode. Hypoglycemia is very dangerous. Repeated episodes can cause the body to become desensitized, and physical symptoms may no longer appear. In such cases, proper response becomes difficult, increasing the risk. To prevent hypoglycemia, ▲eat regularly, ▲check blood sugar levels before exercising, and ▲take medication exactly as prescribed. If hypoglycemia occurs frequently despite following these precautions, it is essential to consult your primary care physician. It could be due to impaired kidney function. Since diabetes medications are excreted through the kidneys, reduced kidney function can cause the medication to accumulate in the body, continuously lowering blood sugar. Even if kidney issues are not present, discussing with your doctor to adjust medication prescriptions or review lifestyle habits is necessary.

You need to measure your blood sugar frequently. This allows you to anticipate the pattern of hypoglycemia. Once you identify the cause of hypoglycemia, you can take steps to improve it. Blood sugar should not drop below 70, so you should immediately consume a hypoglycemia snack. About 4-5 sugar cubes, 3-5 candies, a spoonful of honey, or half a glass of juice or cola are appropriate.