Which of the following describes neuroglycopaenic symptoms of hypoglycaemia?

• A. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
• B. Headache, visual disturbances, mental dullness, confusion, amnesia, seizures, and coma.
• C. Shakiness, sweating, weakness, nervousness, hunger, and tingling.
• D. Fatigue and sleepiness.

Answer: (B)

Neuroglycopenic symptoms come from the brain not getting enough glucose, so they reflect how brain function falls apart when energy supply is low. The brain relies on glucose for energy, and when it’s scarce, cognitive and neurological processes deteriorate. The classic neuroglycopenic picture includes headaches and visual disturbances from cortical dysfunction, mental dullness and confusion as thinking slows, amnesia, and, in more severe cases, seizures or coma as neuronal activity becomes profoundly disrupted. These are distinct from autonomic signs that arise from the body’s counterregulatory response to falling glucose, such as shakiness, sweating, nervousness, and hunger. Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea or abdominal pain aren’t typical neuroglycopenic brain effects, and fatigue or sleepiness can be nonspecific.