Hypoglycemia and Medical Malpractice
Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar or glucose levels fall below the normal range. A lack of glucose can cause the brain to shut down certain functions. While many people can manage hypoglycemia, severe cases can lead to serious health problems. If not treated properly, hypoglycemia can result in death. Hypoglycemia can occur for various reasons, including medical malpractice. When healthcare providers fail to adhere to the standard of care and causes a patient to suffer harm due to hypoglycemia, they may be held liable in a medical malpractice claim.
Understanding Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia happens when a person’s blood sugar or glucose levels drop below the standard range. For many individuals, when blood sugar levels hit 70 milligrams per deciliter, it should serve a warning for hypoglycemia. However, numbers differ from one person to the next. It is best to speak to a qualified medical professional.
Hypoglycemia is often associated with diabetes, especially in people who take insulin or other glucose-lowering medications. However, other conditions and drugs can cause low blood sugar in individuals who do not have diabetes.
It is crucial to address hypoglycemia immediately. Usually, treatment of hypoglycemia involves consuming high-sugar foods, drinks or medication to get blood sugar levels back to within the normal range. Long-term treatment requires a doctor identifying the cause of hypoglycemia and treating it.
Possible Complications of Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia can have a range of complications, including the following:
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Cognitive impairment
- Falls
- Anxiety and depression
- Dizziness and weakness
- Driving accidents
- Growth impairment in children
- Greater risk of dementia in older adults
Causes of Hypoglycemia
There are several reasons why blood sugar levels may fall too low for the body to continue functioning properly. First, for people with diabetes, excess insulin or other medications can cause low blood sugar. Also, hypoglycemia can occur if a person with diabetes eats less than usual after taking their medication or exercising more than usual.
However, according to Mayo Clinic, people without diabetes can also suffer hypoglycemia due to various other reasons, including:
- Medicines: Some medications can cause hypoglycemia, especially in children and individuals with kidney failure.
- Critical illnesses: Kidney disease, severe hepatitis or cirrhosis, advanced heart disease, and other critical illnesses can cause hypoglycemia.
- Inadequate food intake: Skipping meals or not eating enough carbohydrates can result in blood sugar levels dropping.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking heavily, especially on an empty stomach, can lead to low blood sugar.
- Insulin overproduction: Insulinoma, which is a rare tumor of the pancreas, can result in insulin overproduction, leading to hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia can also result from medical malpractice. The following are some examples of how medical malpractice can cause hypoglycemia:
- Not adequately monitoring a patient’s blood glucose levels
- Excessive insulin administration
- Not managing diabetes or related conditions properly
When hypoglycemia occurs due to medical malpractice and causes harm, the victim can seek justice and compensation through a medical malpractice claim.
Contact an Atlanta Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to hypoglycemia because of a medical professional’s negligence, contact our qualified Atlanta medical malpractice attorney at Carroll Law Firm for legal help.
Source:
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypoglycemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373685
