Does hypoglycemia spread?

Written by Zhao Xin Lan

Endocrinology

Updated on March 03, 2025

00:00

00:00

Hypoglycemia is not a contagious disease, so it is not transmittable.

Hypoglycemia is primarily caused by excessive secretion of insulin in the body, or by consuming too little sugary food, leading to abnormally low blood sugar levels and certain clinical symptoms such as palpitations, trembling hands, fatigue, and cold sweats. Therefore, it is caused by pathological reasons within the body itself, and not by infectious bacteria or viruses from external sources, so it is not contagious.

However, when hypoglycemia occurs, it is necessary to promptly consume sugary foods to alleviate the symptoms and prevent more serious damage to the body.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Li Hui Zhi

Endocrinology

1min 3sec

home-news-image

What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia, in fact, is diagnosed in healthy individuals when blood glucose levels are less than or equal to 2.8 mmol/L, and in diabetic patients when levels are less than or equal to 3.9 mmol/L. Common symptoms of mild hypoglycemia typically involve sympathetic nervous system activation, such as dizziness, palpitations, cold sweats, trembling hands, and a feeling of hunger. It is recommended that food be consumed promptly when these symptoms occur. If hypoglycemia is not immediately addressed, severe outcomes can occur, including altered mental status, coma, and unresponsiveness. In some cases, hypoglycemia may trigger seizures or abnormal cerebral vascular accidents, such as stroke or cardiac ischemia, leading to a heart attack. Therefore, preventing hypoglycemia is of utmost importance.

home-news-image

Written by Zhao Xin Lan

Endocrinology

53sec

home-news-image

How is hypoglycemia treated?

For mild hypoglycemia, if the patient is conscious, they can self-treat by orally consuming sugary solutions or foods containing carbohydrates, such as beverages, fruit juices, glucose water, candies, etc. In cases of more severe hypoglycemia accompanied by changes in consciousness, oral sugar intake is not advisable. Instead, intravenous glucose injections should be administered to raise blood sugar levels, typically using about 40-100 ml of 50% concentrated glucose. Blood sugar levels should be monitored repeatedly. If the patient does not regain consciousness, repeated glucose injections may be necessary. For severe cases with other organic pathologies, treatment with corticosteroids may be required, and emergency hospital treatment is necessary.

home-news-image

Written by Liang Yin

Endocrinology

1min 8sec

home-news-image

Where to massage for low blood sugar?

Hypoglycemia cannot be treated by massage. The treatment for hypoglycemia involves sugar supplementation. Mild cases can be managed by orally consuming sugar water or sweets, whereas severe cases require intravenous administration of hypertonic glucose. Additionally, it is necessary to screen for the underlying causes and treat them accordingly. Hypoglycemia is defined as blood plasma glucose levels less than 2.8mmol/L. For diabetic patients, a blood glucose level below 3.9mmol/L qualifies as hypoglycemia. The causes of hypoglycemia are numerous, including islet cell tumors, a state of starvation, enhanced insulin sensitivity due to exercise, or inappropriate use of hypoglycemic drugs in diabetic patients. The effects of hypoglycemia on the human body can be severe and require immediate treatment with sugar supplementation. Massage does not serve as a treatment for hypoglycemia.

home-news-image

Written by Luo Juan

Endocrinology

1min 12sec

home-news-image

Causes of Hypoglycemia in Females

The causes of hypoglycemia in women can be related to various factors, including drug-induced, hepatic, pancreatic, non-pancreatic tumors, renal, endocrine issues, as well as excessive consumption or insufficient intake, among others. For women, apart from organic lesions, common causes include excessive hunger, intense exercise, or chronic diarrhea, which can lead to hypoglycemia. Some women experience hypoglycemia due to lactation or pregnancy without timely replenishment of energy. Additionally, a common condition seen in women is idiopathic functional hypoglycemia, often found in neurotic women, which typically presents with symptoms of hunger and sweating, usually with few physical signs. Characteristically, it involves early-occurring reactive hypoglycemia that generally resolves on its own in less than 30 minutes, with blood glucose tests showing slightly decreased levels and normal or slightly elevated insulin levels in the blood.

home-news-image

Written by Lin Xiang Dong

Endocrinology

47sec

home-news-image

What to do about hypoglycemia?

After a hypoglycemic episode, we need to handle it quickly. Usually, based on symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as dizziness, palpitations, cold sweats, pale complexion, and trembling hands, we can preliminarily judge the likelihood of a hypoglycemic attack. Then, use a rapid glucose meter to measure fingertip blood sugar levels. For non-diabetic patients, a blood sugar level below 2.8 mmol/L and for diabetic patients, a level below 3.9 mmol/L can be indicative. Next, we quickly provide sugar, offering oral sugar water, sugary drinks, or sugar-containing fruits, cookies, bread, etc. After these treatments, the symptoms of hypoglycemia can be quickly alleviated.