Low Blood Sugar May Increase Mortality Rate Of Ill Patients

Researchers suggest that doctors should check for patients with low blood sugarIndividuals may want to consider taking natural diabetes supplements as a way to curb their blood sugar, as a new study finds that hypoglycemia—or low blood sugar—is linked to mortality in critically ill patients.

According to research published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, scientists have found a link between mild to moderate hypoglycemia and the mortality rate of ill patients.

The researchers examined 4,946 patients, with 1,109 suffering from hypoglycemia. It was found that individuals who suffered from low blood sugar had a 36.6 percent higher mortality rate compared to the 19.7 percent of patients who simply died from their illness.

The scientists are hoping that this research will help physicians address the problem of hypoglycemia early when a patient is admitted for treatment.

“Our results suggest that any tolerance of mild to moderate hypoglycemia by intensive care clinicians may be undesirable,” the study’s co-author, Rinaldo Bellomo, said. “In this regard, newer technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting might help avoid hypoglycemia or identify it earlier.”ADNFCR-1960-ID-19685406-ADNFCR