Final answer:
Hypoglycemia is a medical term for low blood sugar levels, which can cause serious health complications. It can occur due to excess insulin in the body and contrasts with hyperglycemia, which is high blood sugar levels and associated with diabetes mellitus. Treatment often includes medication, diet adjustments, and sometimes insulin administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
​​Hypoglycemia refers to a low blood sugar level, typically below 60-70 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter). It is a condition where there is an abnormal decrease in the glucose levels in the bloodstream, which can lead to symptoms such as sweating, tremors, fainting, and in severe cases, coma or death. This is often a result of oversecretion of insulin, which is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin's primary function is to lower blood glucose levels by facilitating its uptake into cells for energy production. Conversely, an irregular increase in blood glucose levels, known as hyperglycemia, can lead to diabetes mellitus, where either insulin production is inadequate, or the body's cells become resistant to its effects, leading to excessive amounts of glucose in the urine and other long-term complications. Treatments for these conditions usually include medication, diet, and in some cases, supplemental insulin.