HYPOGLYCEMIA WITHOUT WARNING - A DANGEROUS BUT REVERSIBLE PHENOMENON

Hypoglycemia of a degree sufficient to cause cerebral dysfunction does not occur in healthy people. Only if counter regulatory defenses fail will blood glucose levels fall to a level that results in abnormaliti es in brain function: drowsiness, confusion, and, ultimately, coma. Th is review will explore the causes of hypoglycemia, the underlying mech anisms, and useful strategies for avoiding this serious complication i n the diabetic subject.