Hypoglycemia and Diabetes both are related to the blood sugar levels in the body. Either there is an increase in the sugar level in the bloodstream or there is a decrease in the sugar levels. Both hypoglycemia and diabetes are regarded as a change caused due to insulin secretion and not a disease.
Hypoglycemia vs Diabetes
The main difference between hypoglycemia and diabetes is that they are caused due to the mechanism of insulin secreted, which results either in high blood sugar levels or low blood sugar levels. One common symptom of both Hypoglycemia and diabetes is that they would lead to poor vision and headaches.
Hypoglycemia is a state in which there is a decrease in the sugar levels in the blood due to the intake of insulin in large quantities. There are few drugs and bypass surgeries that also cause hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is caused in a condition where the sugar level falls below the specified level.
Diabetes is caused due to increase in the sugar level in the blood due to restricted secretion of insulin in the body. Insulin is secreted by the pancreas to break down blood sugar. Even if the cells become more resistant to insulin secreted by the pancreas Diabetes occurs. Few types of diabetes would give a detailed view of Diabetes.
Comparison Table Between Hypoglycemia and Diabetes
What is Hypoglycemia?
A person with hypoglycemia has a blood sugar level of less than 50 mg/dL. A person with diabetes is advised to take insulin supplements, in such a case higher amounts of insulin that exceeds the limit would lead to hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is also complicated when left without proper medications.
Hypoglycemia is also found in non-diabetes patients. Controlled intake of dextrose can lower the risk of complications. When it is not properly diagnosed Hypoglycemia leads to brain damage, coma, and eventually death. In order to increase blood sugar levels, patients are advised to take foods that take more time to digest.
Glucose is observed to be the main source of energy for the body. When there is a fall in this source, it would lead to a disturbance in the whole system that guards the immune system. Thus hypoglycemic patients appear to be weak and unstable in their statements.
When we intake food, the carbohydrates present in the food break down into glucose. Glucose uses the help of insulin which is secreted by the pancreas to provide energy to the cells. Thus insulin plays an important role in this mechanism. If there is a disturbance in this secretion process it leads to such disorders.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes Mellitus is caused when either the body is not good at utilizing the insulin produced or there is a problem in the secretion of inulin. Diabetes when left undiagnosed would damage kidney and nervous systems. There are various kinds and stages of Diabetes.
Type-I Diabetes is caused by an attack that is done by the immune system. The attack is done on the cells in the pancreas affecting the secretion of insulin. Type -II Diabetes is caused when the body cells are against the secretion of insulin and forms resistance to them.
Prediabetes occurs when it is found to be the starting stage of diabetes and can be diagnosed at home, by modifying food intake habits. Placenta produces insulin restricting hormones during pregnancy, which causes Gestational Diabetes. Diabetes is also a similar kind that occurs due to kidneys.
There are various infections caused by diabetes, such as urinary tract infections, yeast infections, weakened muscular strength, it also leads to obesity when are the primary symptoms among all. Being overweight is the most important and to be given priority is maintaining the BMI of the body and intake of healthy foods would help in balancing such disorders.
Main Differences Between Hypoglycemia and Diabetes
- Hypoglycemia is caused due to lower blood sugar level, whereas Diabetes is caused when there is an increase in the bloodsugar level (glucose).
- Diabetes can be diagonized by increasing the insulin level by medications, whereas hypoglycemia can be diagonized by minimizing the insulin level. When there is an increase in the level of insulin it eventually leads to hypoglycemia.
- Diabetes would lead to kidney failure and heart failure when left undiagonized, whereas hypoglycemia would lead to brain damage and death.
- Diabetes can be found or recognized from blood tests, whereas hypoglycemia can be recognized by its symptoms.
- Diabetes need oral intake of glucose and insulin, whereas hypoglycemia needs oral intake of dextrose and glucose.
Conclusion
Hypoglycemia and Diabetes are both caused when there is a problem with the blood sugar levels. Both can be cured with controlled food habits and regular exercises to keep both body and mind in good health. Diabetes can cause damage to the organs of the body, while hypoglycemia would lead to brain damage and death eventually.
It has been found that every ten in one people are affected by either diabetes or hypoglycemia. But the treatment and cure lie in the food habits chosen and taken. When untreated it would lead to adverse complications. But both hypoglycemia and diabetes have one thing in common in their symptoms which is poor vision and obesity which has to be taken care of.
References
- https://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/46/2/271.short
- https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/39/4/502.short