Explaining the whys and hows of hypoglycemia, Shriram Mahadevan, associate professor at Sri Ramachandra University, said that while the body has a natural defence mechanism to prevent a low sugar episode, if hypoglycemia occurred, it could have serious consequences.
Dr. Mahadevan was speaking at ‘TRENDO 2017: Emerging Trends in Endocrinology & Diabetes’, the 5th annual conference of the Endocrine Society of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Saturday. Hypoglycemia was common in patients with type 2 diabetes, with an estimated 38% of patients experiencing it, he said, adding that mostly due to a meal-drug mismatch — an ill-timed insulin dose, excess of insulin, a missed meal or sometimes alcohol ingestion could be the cause.
Asymptomatic hypoglycemia
Dr. Mahadevan also spoke of asymptomatic hypoglycemia, where the patient experiences an episode but with no symptoms.
Educating patients, allaying their fears and modification of medicines are important to help prevent further episodes, and in this, newer drugs may help, he said. The conference, which concluded on Sunday, has had over 1,000 delegates and about 100 faculty from across the country, said organising secretary Muthu Kumaran Jayapaul. Dr. Mahadevan too is an organising secretary of the conference.
