Question
A patient experienced symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as constant hunger, thirst, weight loss, dizziness, and fatigue. After undergoing hospital examinations, they were diagnosed with severe hypoglycemia and recommended hospitalization for treatment. This condition persisted for a long time.
Answer
Diabetes is a common disease caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Its main clinical feature is high blood sugar levels, with common symptoms including increased thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes can lead to damage to multiple systems in the body. The disease results in either absolute or relative insufficient secretion of insulin and decreased sensitivity of target tissue cells to insulin, triggering a series of metabolic disorders including protein, fat, water, and electrolytes, with high blood sugar being the primary symptom. Type 1 diabetes is more common in adolescents and requires life-long external insulin administration; Type 2 diabetes is more common in middle-aged or elderly individuals and is characterized by insufficient sensitivity to insulin, i.e., insulin resistance. Different types of diabetes include neonatal diabetes, childhood diabetes, adult-onset diabetes, gestational diabetes, and elderly diabetes.