Hypoglycaemia: an overview.
Hypoglycaemia is a frequent side-effect of treatment with insulin and sulfonylureas for people with diabetes, threatening potentially serious morbidity and preventing optimal glycaemic control. Fear of hypoglycaemia and development of syndromes such as impaired awareness and counterregulatory deficiency provide additional hazards for intensification of treatment. Rapid lowering of HbA1c may be potentially dangerous in type 2 diabetes because of the adverse cardiovascular effects induced by hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia can disrupt many everyday activities such as driving, work performance and recreational pursuits. Measures to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia are labour-intensive and require substantial resources.
Department of Diabetes, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, United Kingdom.
Alex J
AJ
Graveling
Brian M
BM
Frier
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin