Idiopathic hypoglycemia
Idiopathic Hypoglycemia
Idiopathic hypoglycemia (pronunciation: /ˌɪdiəˈpæθɪk haɪpoʊɡlaɪˈsiːmiə/) is a medical condition characterized by low blood sugar levels (glucose) without a known cause.
Etymology
The term "idiopathic" is derived from the Greek words "idios" meaning "one's own" and "pathos" meaning "suffering". It is used in medicine to denote conditions with unknown or unclear cause. "Hypoglycemia" comes from the Greek words "hypo" meaning "under", "glykys" meaning "sweet", and "haima" meaning "blood". Thus, hypoglycemia literally means "under-sweet blood", referring to low levels of sugar in the blood.
Definition
Idiopathic hypoglycemia is a type of hypoglycemia that occurs without a clear cause. It is not associated with diabetes, fasting, or other identifiable conditions that can typically cause low blood sugar levels.
Symptoms
Symptoms of idiopathic hypoglycemia can vary but often include dizziness, fatigue, weakness, headache, confusion, and in severe cases, seizure or loss of consciousness.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of idiopathic hypoglycemia is often challenging due to its unknown cause. It typically involves ruling out other potential causes of hypoglycemia through various tests, including blood tests, imaging studies, and sometimes endocrine system evaluations.
Treatment
Treatment for idiopathic hypoglycemia often involves managing symptoms and maintaining stable blood sugar levels. This can be achieved through dietary changes, such as eating regular small meals and snacks, and avoiding foods high in simple sugars. In some cases, medication may be required.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Idiopathic hypoglycemia
- Wikipedia's article - Idiopathic hypoglycemia
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski