- In Mexico there are 9 million people diagnosed with diabetes, although the real figure could be much higher.
- Studies have shown that the prevalence of hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes is 45% for mild/moderate forms and 6% for severe forms.
- The risk of suffering this complication is higher in patients with type 2 diabetes who have received insulin for more than 10 years.
It is a reality that Mexico is going through a severe public health problem caused by diabetes. There are nine million people with this condition, although the real number could be much higher. Among its many consequences is the development of hypoglycemia and in some cases it can be severe.
This condition is the most frequent in our country and that is why it is extremely important that you maintain constant communication with your patients. In fact, up to 75 percent do not have adequate control of their glucose levels. When that happens, problems begin that can even lead to fatal cases.
What is hypoglycemia?
Low blood glucose is common in people with type 1 diabetes and can occur in people with type 2 diabetes who take insulin or certain medications. In studies carried out by Medline, Embase and Cochrane in which more than 532 thousand people participated, it was shown that the The prevalence of hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes was 45% for mild/moderate forms and 6% for severe forms.
In daily life it can occur due to prolonged fasting, exercising a lot and eating little or consuming alcohol in excess without having fed. It can also be caused by tumors in the pancreas, kidney failure, liver disease and thyroid problems.
main symptoms
Signs or symptoms of an emergency caused by hypoglycemia may include: irritability, dizziness, incoordination, inattention or confusion, tremors, sweating, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
In addition, severe hypoglycemia affects the person’s quality of life on an emotional level, since they can present chronic mood disorders, such as depression. In the cardiovascular aspect, electrocardiographic alterations may occur, which leads to a high risk of ventricular tachycardia and changes in heart rate variability. At the brain level, recent evidence suggests that recurrent hypoglycemia may predispose to long-term cognitive dysfunction and dementia.
A situation of this type should be treated immediately to avoid an unwanted outcome and major complications. The Severe hypoglycemia has the potential to cause accidents, injuries, coma, and death.
“When a patient with diabetes faces an episode of hypoglycemia, they will require immediate treatment to avoid an unwanted outcome. In addition, when this event is severe, you will need support to administer your medication,” says Dr. Nuria Marcos, director of the Medical Area for Lilly Latin America.
New treatment that does not require an injection
For this purpose, the pharmaceutical company developed a new therapeutic option contained in a device that is easy to administer. Its advantage is based on the mode of application, which will not require additional elements, such as an injection.
While most importantly this new therapeutic option has already received approval from the Federal Commission for the Protection of Sanitary Risks (Cofepris). It is indicated for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes from 4 years of age.
Dr. Miguel Arreola adds that in the face of the aforementioned signs it is always important to be prepared for an event of this type. While some people may experience various symptoms, others don’t realize their blood sugar drops so low that it could become an emergency.
Also read:
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