A medical term for a lower than normal level of sugar (glucose) in the the blood. Hyperglycemia is a medical term for a higher than normal level of sugar (glucose) in the the blood. Additional Info: Hypoglycemia can be a dangerous condition because glucose is the major source of energy for the brain. Lack of glucose, like lack of oxygen, produces brain damage or even death if the deficit is prolonged. Hypoglycemia can occur when one has inadequate glucose intake or if a diabetic injects too much insulin (a hormone that regulates the blood glucose levels). These situations are common in people with diabetes who receive too much insulin or who don't eat enough. Hypoglycemia starts to cause the following symptoms when glucose levels fall below 50 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL): (1) Sweating; (2) Shakiness, tremors, convulsions; (3) Anxiety, nervousness; (4) Pallor, coldness, clamminess; (5) Hunger; (6) Dizziness, confusion; (7) Headache; (8) Cloudy vision; (9) Abnormal behavior; (10) Loss of consciousness. Hypoglycemia that is severe enough to cause seizures or unconsciousness can ususally be reversed without obvious harm to the brain. Cases of permanent neurological damage usually involve prolonged, untreated unconsciousness or interference with breathing. MSDS Relevance: Certain materials, such as manganese dioxide andethanol (used as an antidote for ethylene glycolpoisoning, among other uses), can cause hypoglycemia if ingested. Accidental ingestion is a rare route of entry for many chemicals, and usually comes about from poor workplace/laboratory hygiene habits such as eating, drinking or smoking around hazardous chemicals or failing to wear gloves and/or wash hands after handling chemicals. See also: Concentration