Hypoglycemic shock symptoms are this dangerous... An 80-year-old bus passenger miraculously survived with a piece of candy.

Recently, an elderly woman in her 80s collapsed from hypoglycemic shock on a city bus in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, but regained consciousness thanks to candy given to her by passengers and police officers.

 

A police officer on the bus called out, “Does anyone have anything sweet?” and a passenger offered her a piece of candy, which slowly brought the old woman back to her senses.

 

He was later transported to the hospital by the fire department and survived the critical situation. This incident clearly demonstrates how suddenly hypoglycemia can strike and how a little preparation can make a big difference.

 

 

 

✅What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

 

• This refers to a condition where blood sugar levels fall below 70 mg/dL (= 3.9 mmol/L).
• Severity classification (for adults)
  ✔️ Level 1: <70 mg/dL, ≥54 mg/dL — Self-management possible
  ✔️ Level 2: <54 mg/dL — Significant cognitive and neurological symptoms, requiring prompt treatment.
    ✔️ Level 3: Loss of consciousness, convulsions, etc., requiring assistance from others (emergency situation)

 

 

✅Checklist of major symptoms

 

□	Sudden hunger, trembling hands, and pounding heart
□	Cold sweat, anxiety, nervousness
□	Headache, dizziness, blurred vision
□	Difficulty concentrating, slurred speech, confusion
□	Convulsions, fainting, loss of consciousness (hypoglycemic shock)

 

⚠️ Repeated episodes of hypoglycemia can be even more dangerous because they can lead to hypoglycemia awareness, which means you may not be able to feel the symptoms.

 

 

✅Causes and triggering factors

 

- Diabetics: Excessive insulin/hypoglycemic agents, delayed meals, exercise, drinking
- Non-diabetic patients: prolonged fasting, strenuous exercise, excessive drinking, liver disease, and hormonal problems
- Exercise-related: Failure to control blood sugar before and after exercise → Possible delayed hypoglycemia

 

 

✅Differences from orthostatic hypotension symptoms

 

• Hypoglycemia: hunger, tremors, cold sweats + slurred speech, decreased consciousness → improved when sugar is consumed
• Orthostatic hypotension: momentary dizziness when standing up suddenly, quickly recovering (blood pressure problem)

 

✅On-site response (15-15 rule)

 

1. If blood sugar can be measured, check first
2. Consume 15g of fast-absorbing sugar
   -> 4 glucose tablets, 120 mL of juice, 150 mL of cola, 1 tablespoon of honey
3. Re-measure after 15 minutes → If it is still below 70 mg/dL, take 15 g again
4. After recovery, eat slow carbohydrates and protein (e.g. whole wheat bread and eggs)

 

 

⚠️ Fatty foods like chocolate and cake are not suitable for emergency situations.

 

 

✅When unconscious (Level 3)

 

- Do not force yourself to eat food → Report to 119 immediately
- Guardian: Glucagon (injection/nasal application) may be used.
- After administration, lay the patient on his/her side to secure the airway, and provide a snack after recovery.

 

 

✅Prevention Guide

 

- Daily life: Carrying candy and glucose tablets, using CGM and smartwatch alarms
- Before and after exercise: Carbohydrate supplementation before exercise, supplementation during long-term exercise
- When drinking: Avoid drinking on an empty stomach, and snacks are essential after drinking.
- When driving: Check your blood sugar level before driving. If it is below 70 mg/dL, do not drive.

 

 

✅Foods to prevent hypoglycemia

 

- Slow-absorbing carbohydrates: brown rice, sweet potatoes, mixed grains
- Protein and fat supplements: tofu, eggs, nuts, yogurt
- Emergency: glucose tablets, gels, juice, hard candies

 

 

✅When should I go to the hospital?

 

- Repeated occurrence of hypoglycemia more than twice a day
- When experiencing less than 54 mg/dL
- If you frequently experience nocturnal hypoglycemia or do not feel the symptoms well.
- Medication adjustment appears necessary or recurrent hypoglycemia of unknown cause occurs

 

 

  ✅ One-line summary

 

Hypoglycemia symptoms are not just a simple "blood sugar drop"; if left untreated, they can lead to hypoglycemic shock.

 

As in the Chuncheon bus incident, a single piece of candy can save a life. A little preparation and quick response are the surest safety nets.

 

 

 

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