Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Fainting And Sweating In A Diabetic Patient?
Question: My grandfather aged around 62-64years suddenly became unconscious yesterday after sweating while he was sitting at office.He is a sugar patient and takes insulin regularly ,recently on doctor's advise he had changed his insulin medication/dose as well..plz advise the precuationary measures to be taken and whether this incident can get serious in future and a cause of worry.
Brief Answer:
It could be Hypoglycemia.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your query and understood your concerns. I am Dr Phanindra Dulipala, Diabetologist.
From the clinical details mentioned its due to a condition called hypoglycemia. This is a condition of too low blood sugar < 70mg/dl.
The common symptoms are
Double vision or blurry vision, Fast or pounding heartbeat, Feeling cranky or acting aggressive, Feeling nervous, Headache, Hunger, Shaking or trembling
Sweating, Tingling or numbness of the skin, Tiredness or weakness, Trouble sleeping, Unclear thinking.
This condition occurs usually in a diabetic patient in the following conditions:
Either he skips the meals, but take insulin.
Either the dose is slightly higher than required.
Either more work on that day than usual etc.
Once please discuss with treating doctor regarding this condition and dosage of insulin.
In future, precautionary measures need to be taken immediately in such condition is
Check the blood sugar whenever he has the symptoms of low blood sugar. If his blood sugar is below 70 mg/dL, treat himself right away. Eat something that has about 15 grams of carbohydrates. Examples are:
3 glucose tablets
A 1/2 cup (4 ounces) fruit juice or regular, non-diet soda
5 or 6 hard candies
1 tablespoon sugar, plain or dissolved in water
1 tablespoon honey or syrup
Wait about 15 minutes before eating any more. Be careful not to eat too much. This can cause high blood sugar and weight gain.
Check his blood sugar.
If you don't feel better in 15 minutes, and blood sugar is still low (less than 70 mg/dL), eat something with 15 grams of carbohydrate again.
he may need to eat a snack with carbohydrates and protein if:
his blood sugar is in a safer range (over 70 mg/dL), and
his next meal is more than an hour away.
Hope this guides you. For any other queries you can write to me. I will be happy to help you. Thank you.
Dr Phanindra Dulipala
Diabetologist.
It could be Hypoglycemia.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your query and understood your concerns. I am Dr Phanindra Dulipala, Diabetologist.
From the clinical details mentioned its due to a condition called hypoglycemia. This is a condition of too low blood sugar < 70mg/dl.
The common symptoms are
Double vision or blurry vision, Fast or pounding heartbeat, Feeling cranky or acting aggressive, Feeling nervous, Headache, Hunger, Shaking or trembling
Sweating, Tingling or numbness of the skin, Tiredness or weakness, Trouble sleeping, Unclear thinking.
This condition occurs usually in a diabetic patient in the following conditions:
Either he skips the meals, but take insulin.
Either the dose is slightly higher than required.
Either more work on that day than usual etc.
Once please discuss with treating doctor regarding this condition and dosage of insulin.
In future, precautionary measures need to be taken immediately in such condition is
Check the blood sugar whenever he has the symptoms of low blood sugar. If his blood sugar is below 70 mg/dL, treat himself right away. Eat something that has about 15 grams of carbohydrates. Examples are:
3 glucose tablets
A 1/2 cup (4 ounces) fruit juice or regular, non-diet soda
5 or 6 hard candies
1 tablespoon sugar, plain or dissolved in water
1 tablespoon honey or syrup
Wait about 15 minutes before eating any more. Be careful not to eat too much. This can cause high blood sugar and weight gain.
Check his blood sugar.
If you don't feel better in 15 minutes, and blood sugar is still low (less than 70 mg/dL), eat something with 15 grams of carbohydrate again.
he may need to eat a snack with carbohydrates and protein if:
his blood sugar is in a safer range (over 70 mg/dL), and
his next meal is more than an hour away.
Hope this guides you. For any other queries you can write to me. I will be happy to help you. Thank you.
Dr Phanindra Dulipala
Diabetologist.
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
