CEBU CITY, Philippines – In a recent incident on Tuesday, December 19, a 73-year-old man in Mandaue City experienced a multi-vehicle accident, reportedly due to hypoglycemia.
This medical condition, characterized by low blood sugar levels, can have serious consequences, especially for individuals with type 1 diabetes.
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Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar (glucose) falls below the standard range, impacting the body’s ability to function properly.
People with type 1 diabetes, a condition where the body fails to produce insulin—a crucial hormone for regulating blood sugar levels—are particularly susceptible to hypoglycemic episodes.
“Hypoglycemia… Naa nis mga diabtetic, low ilang sugar kanang wala pay kaon, walay kaon unya mo-mubo ilang sugar, mao nga mo collapse gyud sila.” said Doctor Peter Mancao, the officer-in-charge of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).
(Hypoglycemia…this is with those diabetics, their sugar is low if they had not eaten yet, they have not eaten yet and their sugar is low, that is why they will collapse.)
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According to Dr. Mancao, the dangers of hypoglycemia include the risk of collapse, hypertension, dizziness, and fainting.
“Once all their sugar are consumed, and they have no energy, they may collapse, experience a drop in blood pressure, and feel weak,” Dr. Mancao explained.
Diabetic patients, in particular, face these dangers when their body consumes sugar without an adequate intake of food during the day.
Dr. Mancao highlighted the importance of regular, small, and frequent meals for diabetic patients to maintain their blood sugar levels.
“Kung diabetic ka and magdrive ka, dapat mukaon gyud daan, small frequent meal gyud dapat regularly. Unya inom og tambal, exercise gamay,” he said.
(If you are a diabetic and you drive, you should eat first, small frequent meals should be done regularly. Then take medicine, a little exercise also.)
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However, despite frequent eating, Dr. Mancao noted that patients might still experience hypoglycemic symptoms, including changes in eyesight, dizziness, and hunger.
Hence, education plays a crucial role in managing these symptoms, and patients are advised to be vigilant about their condition.
Moreover, to counter hypoglycemic episodes, Dr. Mancao recommended having candy, soft drinks, or orange juice on hand, as they contained sugars that could quickly raise blood sugar levels.
“Advisable na buhaton kay magbawn gyud og candy. Aron once makabati na sa symptoms, naa kay sugar na pwede ma intake dayon,” Dr. Mancao said.
(It is advisable that you bring with you candies. So that once you can feel the symptoms, you can then have the sugar that you take immediately.)
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The doctor also mentioned that diabetes, once diagnosed, is not curable, but a treatable condition.
“Curable? No, once diabetic ka, diabetic na gyud ka. Treatable lang siya. Dili siya supposedly fatal, ang problema ana if bati og condition imo heart, mao na nga mafatal na na siya,” Dr. Mancao said.
(Curable? No, once you are a diabetic, you are a diabetic. It is treatable. It is not supposedly fatal, the problem with that is if your heart is not in good condition, that is why it can be fatal.)
Meanwhile, Dr. Mancao emphasized the significance of patient education, regular check-ups, and consistent medication to ensure that diabetic individuals would be well-informed and equipped to manage their health effectively.
By staying informed, Dr. Mancao noted individuals with diabetes could lead healthier lives despite the challenges posed by this chronic condition.
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