hypoglycemia

American  

[hahy-poh-glahy-see-mee-uh] / ˌhaɪ poʊ glaɪˈsi mi ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. an abnormally low level of glucose in the blood.

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hypoglycemia Scientific  

/ hī′pō-glī-sē′mē-ə /

1. An abnormally low level of sugar in the blood, most commonly caused by excessive doses of insulin in people with diabetes or by excessive ingestion of alcohol or certain other drugs. It can cause weakness, dizziness, disorientation, and, if prolonged, permanent brain damage.

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Other Word Forms

• hypoglycemic adjective

Etymology

Origin of hypoglycemia

First recorded in 1890–95; hypo- + glyc- + -emia

Example Sentences

They can cause hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2024

“If they have hypoglycemia, the good majority of them will have to be admitted to the hospital and monitored and watched closely, because of how long these drugs last,” Ho said.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2023

Not taking medication regularly for diabetes can lead to dangerous consequences like severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, coma and sometimes death.

From Salon • Oct. 5, 2023

For instance, mixing berberine and Metformin, a medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes, can be particularly dangerous, Hopp said, because the Metformin could act more potently and the combination could potentially cause hypoglycemia.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 12, 2023

She heaped sugar into the tea, having diagnosed herself as suffering from hypoglycemia.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan