Other Factors

2. Other Factors

Other factors may produce hypoglycemia. An overdose of insulin by the diabetic patient often results in hypoglycemia. Depending on the amount, this can result in coma or even death. Certain oral hypoglycemic drugs such as the sulfonylureas often result in low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia can be induced by alcohol, salicylates (in aspirin, etc.), and other drugs such as aminobenzoic acid, halopenidol, propoxypene and chlorpromazine.

Deficiency of contrainsulin hormones such as glucagon, cortisol, growth hormone, epinephrine or thyroid hormones can result in low blood sugar. In fact, any excess or deficit in any gland or organ may have some effect. This is so because the body works as a unit and never as separate parts or units.

As in diabetes mellitus, not any one factor results in hypoglycemia but it is the total effect of our general lifestyle that affects our health. For example, our diet may be perfect but if our sleep is insufficient, all vital organs will be affected.