Definition

Our organs and tissues (especially the brain) need a consistent and regular sugar supply to function properly. Having blood sugar that is too high or too low can be life-threatening. 

Millions of people have diabetes, which is a disease that elevates blood sugar levels. This can have certain negative consequences, the severity of which depends upon which type of diabetes the person has.

Some conditions can lower blood sugar levels as well, but the most common causes are self-inflicted: 

• Inadvertently taking an oral hypoglycemic agent
• Taking too high a dose of insulin

A subcutaneous dose of insulin lowers the blood sugar level