Hypoglycemia in adults is defined as a fasting blood glucose concentration below 4.0 mmol/L, but symptoms typically only occur when blood glucose levels drop to even lower levels. Hypoglycemia refers to blood glucose levels that fall below a specific threshold, leading to a range of symptoms. The diagnostic criteria are as follows: for males, blood glucose <2.78 mmol/L; for females, blood glucose <2.5 mmol/L; and for infants and children, blood glucose <2.22 mmol/L. Early symptoms of hypoglycemia (such as cold extremities, pale complexion, cold sweats, dizziness, and palpitations) appear when blood glucose levels are between 2.78 and 3.33 mmol/L. Late symptoms of hypoglycemia (including early symptoms plus convulsions and coma) occur when blood glucose levels are below 2.5 mmol/L. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, hypoglycemia falls under the categories of "Qi reversal" and "consumptive disease." The condition is often caused by various factors such as weak constitution, inadequate postnatal nourishment, and internal injury, with the main pathophysiology being the decline of organ functions, and the deficiency of qi, blood, yin, and yang, which does not recover over time.
Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency Type: General weakness, shortness of breath, exacerbated by movement, abundant phlegm with chest distress, epigastric pain and fullness, vomiting of clear fluids, cold back, loose stools, dizziness, and palpitations; the tongue is swollen, the coating is white and slippery, and the pulse is deep, thin, and slippery.
Qi and Blood Deficiency Type: Shortness of breath and reluctance to speak, fatigue in the limbs, spontaneous sweating and poor sleep, palpitations and anxiety, pale or sallow complexion without luster, poor appetite; the tongue is pale or swollen, with tooth marks on the edges, thin and white coating, and the pulse is fine, weak, and forceless.
Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency Type: Dizziness, tinnitus, dry eyes, flushed cheekbones, dry throat, restlessness and heat in the five centers (chest, palms, and soles), night sweats, sore and weak waist and knees, or men may experience nocturnal emissions, women may have irregular menstruation; the tongue is red with little coating, and the pulse is thin, tight, and rapid.
It is recommended to perform moxibustion once a day, targeting 2 to 3 acupoints each time, with each acupoint being treated for 30 to 40 minutes. Rotate the points treated, with a 10-day period constituting one course of treatment, and then rest for 2 to 3 days before continuing with the next course. (If time permits and there is a need, more acupoints can be treated with moxibustion. The specific duration should be adjusted according to one's own physical needs.)
1. Individuals with hypoglycemia should have small, frequent meals, consuming 6 to 8 meals a day. Eating a small amount of snacks and desserts before bedtime can also help prevent the onset of hypoglycemic symptoms. 2. Develop good eating habits, adjust the dietary structure at any time, pay attention to strengthening nutrition, consume more high-fiber foods, and strictly limit the intake of simple sugar foods. Quit smoking and drinking alcohol, and avoid strong coffee.