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

Derived Forms

• hypoglycemic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of hypoglycemia

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

Example Sentences

Hypoglycemia, caused by skipping meals, is also a common trigger.

From Washington Post • Aug. 14, 2020

Hypoglycemia was also reported to be unusually prevalent among criminals and other violent persons, and some creative defense attorneys brought the low-blood-sugar research into court.

From Time • Aug. 21, 2014

Hypoglycemia may be chronic and may thus explain why some authors and philosophers have had consistently pessimistic outlooks.

From Time Magazine Archive

Hypoglycemia is being diagnosed too often The symptoms seem to occur a few hours after meals: dizziness, weakness, tremors, sweating, even heart palpitations.

From Time Magazine Archive

Hypoglycemia is generally accompanied by unpleasant symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, irritability, confusion, headache, etc.

From How and When to Be Your Own Doctor by Solomon, Steve