How is hypoglycemia caused in the elderly?

summary

Hypoglycemia is a syndrome characterized by hyperactivity of autonomic sympathetic nerve and neurological dysfunction due to low blood glucose concentration. For the non-diabetic elderly, hypoglycemia is diagnosed as blood glucose concentration below 2.8 mmol / L. How is hypoglycemia caused in the elderly? Next, I'd like to share my views with you.

How is hypoglycemia caused in the elderly?

Irrational use of hypoglycemic drugs: oral hypoglycemic drugs and (or) the use of insulin are the main causes of hypoglycemia. The medication compliance of elderly patients is poor, and most of them can not monitor blood glucose regularly and adjust the dosage in time. In addition, the function of liver and kidney, which are used to decompose and excrete hypoglycemic drugs, is decreased significantly in elderly patients with multiple organ dysfunction, and the secretion of various hormones, such as glucagon, which resist hypoglycemic reaction is weakened, leading to repeated hypoglycemic reaction.

Hypoglycemia can be caused by too little glucose intake. Factors such as old age, weakness, dysphagia and mental anorexia can cause hypoglycemia in the elderly due to too little glucose intake; Excessive glucose consumption can also lead to hypoglycemia, severe exercise or long-term physical labor can cause hypoglycemia, in addition, high fever, severe diarrhea, severe hyperthyroidism and other excessive consumption of glucose can also lead to hypoglycemia symptoms; Excessive drinking is also a common cause of hypoglycemia, alcohol generally does not contain other nutrients, long-term excessive drinking will lead to malnutrition and affect liver function, inhibit gluconeogenesis.

Kidney and liver have the same role in gluconeogenesis, renal failure can lead to insulin secretion disorder, and can reduce insulin clearance rate, at the same time, renal gluconeogenesis, renal glycogen decomposition are reduced, glucose metabolism disorder, resulting in hypoglycemia.

matters needing attention

The possible causes of hypoglycemia in elderly non-diabetic patients include autonomic nervous instability, insufficient food intake, pancreatic disease, extrapancreatic tumor, liver disease, adrenal dysfunction, heavy drinking, drug side effects, etc. the main causes of hypoglycemia in elderly diabetic patients may be improper use of hypoglycemic drugs or insufficient food intake.