Author
Home > Health > What is the Difference Between Hypoglycemia and Diabetes?

Guilherme Mazui

•4 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Hypoglycemia and Diabetes?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

Hypoglycemia and diabetes are related to blood sugar levels, but they have different causes and effects on an individual's health.

Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by low blood sugar levels, usually below 70 mg/dL for people with diabetes and below 55 mg/dL for those without diabetes. It can be caused by various factors, such as:

  • Taking too much insulin or blood-sugar-lowering medication
  • Missing a meal or eating later than planned
  • Increased or unplanned physical activity
  • Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach

Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include increased hunger, shakiness, rapid heartbeat, blurry vision, irritability, and confusion. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to loss of consciousness and become life-threatening.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease caused by problems with insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. There are two main types of diabetes:

  1. Type 1 diabetes: The body produces very little or no insulin at all.
  2. Type 2 diabetes: Not enough insulin is released into the bloodstream, or the insulin cannot be used properly.

Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, is a common symptom of untreated diabetes. It can lead to various health problems, such as extreme thirst, dry mouth, weakness, headache, frequent urination, blurry vision, nausea, confusion, and shortness of breath.

In summary, hypoglycemia is a condition with low blood sugar levels, while diabetes is a metabolic disease causing high blood sugar levels. Although both conditions are related to blood sugar, they have different causes and health implications.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Hypoglycemia and Diabetes?
  • Comparative Table: Hypoglycemia vs Diabetes

    • Comparative Table: Hypoglycemia vs Diabetes

    Here is a table comparing the differences between hypoglycemia and diabetes:

    Feature Hypoglycemia Diabetes
    Definition Low blood sugar, usually less than 70 mg/dL High blood sugar, related to insulin imbalance
    Symptoms Hunger, irritability, trouble concentrating, fatigue, sweating, confusion, fast heartbeat, shaking, headache Extreme thirst, dry mouth, weakness, headache, frequent urination, blurry vision, nausea, confusion
    Causes Too much insulin in the bloodstream, not eating for several hours, poorly controlled diabetes Insulin imbalance, type 1 diabetes (lack of insulin production), type 2 diabetes (insulin resistance)
    Complications Seizures, brain damage, coma, death Damage to organs, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
    Treatment Eating something with carbohydrates, proper diabetes management Healthy diet, exercise, medication, insulin therapy

    Hypoglycemia and diabetes are both related to blood sugar levels, but they involve different problems. Hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar levels, while diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels. Both conditions can be caused by issues with insulin production or utilization, but they manifest in different ways and require different treatments.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.