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Journal of Medical Case Reports
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Insulins | Case report

Hypoglycemic unawareness: challenges, triggers, and recommendations in patients with hypoglycemic unawareness: a case report

Authors: Yasaman Sharifi, Mahbube Ebrahimpur, Seyed Saeed Tamehrizadeh

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

Hypoglycemia is a fairly common complication in diabetic patients, particularly in those on insulin therapy. Hypoglycemia symptoms are classified into two types: autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptoms. If a person develops neuroglycopenic symptoms before the appearance of autonomic symptoms or is asymptomatic until blood sugar levels are very low, the patient will develop hypoglycemic unawareness (HU).

Case presentation

A 25-year-old Iranian woman with HU presented with a severe hypoglycemic episode. This episode was characterized by loss of consciousness and focal neural deficits, which were unusual symptoms in the patient, who was a medical intern with type 1 diabetes and currently being treated with regular and NPH insulin.

Conclusions

Hypoglycemia is a common complication in diabetic patients receiving oral or insulin therapy. A patient who is unaware of their condition may experience severe and potentially fatal episodes. These incidents can negatively affect their daily lives as well as their careers and jobs. Hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure is a possible cause for patients with multiple episodes of severe hypoglycemia. IThe use of a continuous glucose monitoring device with an alarm, if available, can be an excellent option for these patients.
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Metadata
Title
Hypoglycemic unawareness: challenges, triggers, and recommendations in patients with hypoglycemic unawareness: a case report
Authors
Yasaman Sharifi
Mahbube Ebrahimpur
Seyed Saeed Tamehrizadeh
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-022-03498-1

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