In the early hours of a recent morning, the Changxindian Emergency Station of the Fengtai Branch of Beijing 120 received a dispatch: a patient was experiencing slurred speech and impaired limb movement and urgently needed medical assistance. Based on the initial call information, the on-duty crew suspected a cerebrovascular event—a type of emergency in which every minute counts. They immediately activated the emergency response plan and rushed to the scene through the night. En route, Dr. Wang Peng contacted the patient’s family and learned the details of the sudden speech difficulty. Considering common acute conditions, the crew initially suspected an ischemic stroke.
Upon arrival, the rescuers quickly entered the bedroom and found the patient lying unconscious in bed. “The patient has a history of diabetes and regularly uses insulin to control blood glucose,” a family member added. This information prompted Dr. Wang to shift his diagnostic approach. After further inquiry, he learned that the patient had eaten significantly less than usual that day and had been in bed for a long time. Family members initially thought the patient was simply sleeping and did not intervene. Drawing on extensive emergency experience, Dr. Wang assessed the patient’s medical history, food intake, and insulin use, and promptly ruled out a cerebrovascular event. Nurse Zhang Jian immediately measured the patient’s blood glucose, which was only 0.8 mmol/L—far below the normal lower limit. The diagnosis of hypoglycemic coma was instantly confirmed: the patient had taken the usual insulin dose despite drastically reduced food intake, leading to a dangerous plunge in blood sugar.
At this critical moment, Nurse Zhang administered intravenous glucose as instructed. Shortly after the injection, the patient’s fingers began to move slightly, and consciousness gradually returned. Within minutes, the patient was able to respond clearly to simple questions. Seeing their loved one revived, the family finally relaxed and repeatedly thanked the emergency crew. The team then transported the patient safely to the hospital emergency department for further care.
As a common metabolic emergency, hypoglycemia can be triggered by a variety of factors. Its severity is directly related to how low the blood sugar drops and how long the condition lasts. For the general population, when blood glucose falls below 2.8 mmol/L, symptoms such as hunger, fatigue, profuse sweating, rapid heartbeat, tremors, and anxiety may occur. As blood sugar continues to fall, sensory disturbances and blood pressure fluctuations may appear.In severe cases, seizures, impaired consciousness, or coma may develop. If hypoglycemia persists for more than six hours, irreversible brain damage may occur, and in extreme cases, the condition can be life-threatening.
Beijing 120 reminds the public:
When someone shows signs of hypoglycemia, management must be based on their level of consciousness. If the patient is conscious, immediately provide carbohydrates such as biscuits, candy, or sugary drinks. If the patient is unconscious, never feed anything orally (to avoid choking). Call 120 immediately for medical assistance. Additionally, individuals with diabetes who use insulin must carefully balance diet, exercise, and medication, monitor their blood sugar regularly, and avoid exercising on an empty stomach or adjusting insulin doses without guidance, thereby reducing the risk of hypoglycemia at its source.