Severe cases of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause a person to experience a variety of symptoms. Sometimes, this can include hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature.
Hypoglycemia can lead to symptoms such as tiredness and shaking. In serious cases of hypoglycemia, a person may develop hypothermia.
Both hypoglycemia and hypothermia can affect a person’s ability to think clearly lead to other severe complications. If a person displays any symptoms of hypoglycemia or hypothermia, it is important to attempt to restore their blood sugar levels to a suitable range, and raise their body temperature.
This article discusses the link between hypoglycemia and hypothermia and outlines how low blood sugar levels can affect a person’s body temperature.
If a person experiences severe hypoglycemia, it can cause serious complications. These can
When blood glucose levels become too low, the brain is unable to function, and signs such as dizziness and confusion, can
The brain uses sugar in the blood for energy. If the body does not have sufficient levels of energy, it
Medical professionals do not fully understand how hypoglycemia causes hypothermia. However, many medical professionals believe
This system is the part of the brain
According to
Hypothermia can impact a person’s blood sugar levels. However, while low blood sugar levels can lead to hypothermia, a drop in body temperature can lead to hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels.
When a person has hypothermia it
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas. It allows glucose in the blood to enter cells, providing them with energy and lowering blood glucose levels. Insulin resistance occurs when a person’s cells
Additionally, hypoglycemia is a
If a newborn infant experiences perinatal stress it may
Hypothermia is one cause of perinatal stress that can lead to hypoglycemia in newborns.
Hypoglycemia in newborns may also lead to the infant developing hypothermia. Common symptoms of hypoglycemia in newborns include:
- hypothermia
- sweating
- feeding difficulties
- weak or high-pitched crying
- tremors
- irritability
- lethargy
- seizures
- coma
Symptoms of hypoglycemia
- increased heartbeat
- shaking
- sweating
- feeling nervous or anxious
- being irritable
- feeling confused
- dizziness
- increased hunger
It is important that a person is aware when they are experiencing hypoglycemia. This is because severe low blood sugar levels can be dangerous.
Severe low blood sugar levels can cause a person to faint and will require medical treatment. Signs of severe low blood sugar levels include:
- weakness
- difficulty walking
- difficulty seeing clearly
- changes of behavior
- confusion
- disorientation
- fits and seizures
- nightmares whilst sleeping
- loss of consciousness
Read on to learn more about how to treat a hypoglycemic episode.
Warning signs of hypothermia
- shivering
- feeling very tired
- drowsiness
- confusion
- memory loss
- unsteady hands
- speech difficulties
Read on to learn more about how to treat hypothermia.
Hypothermia is the medical term for a dangerous drop in body temperature. Hypoglycemia is the term for a drop in blood sugar levels.
If a person experiences hypoglycemia, they may also develop hypothermia. This is because the body uses the energy from blood glucose to regulate body temperature and keep the body warm.
Conversely, if a person experiences hypothermia, their blood sugars may rise. This is because the body stops using or responding to insulin, which is the hormone responsible for lowering blood sugars.
If a person displays symptoms of either condition, such as confusion, shaking, or disorientation, it is important to try and raise their blood sugars, by giving them quick acting carbs to eat and raising their body temperature to a suitable range by moving them to a warm and dry area.