Chicago Hypoglycemia Mismanagement Attorney
Hypoglycemia during pregnancy can have many different causes, including type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, morning sickness, exercising too much, consuming alcohol, failing to eat enough food, taking certain medications (such as aspirin, sulfa drugs, pentamidine for pneumonia, or quinine for malaria), or having a rare underlying condition that can make hypoglycemia more likely. It is important to know that your healthcare has a duty to identify potential risk factors for hypoglycemia and to manage health conditions appropriately. Depending upon the severity of your hypoglycemia, your doctor may recommend monitoring or, in some cases, hospitalization.
Ultimately, if you or your baby suffered harm as a result of hypoglycemia mismanagement, you might be able to file a lawsuit against your healthcare provider. An experienced Chicago hypoglycemia mismanagement attorney can speak with you about your case.
What is Hypoglycemia Mismanagement in Chicago?
What is hypoglycemia, and how does it relate to pregnancies and birth injury risks in Chicago? According to the Mayo Clinic, hypoglycemia is “a condition in which your blood sugar (glucose) level is lower than normal,” and hypoglycemia usually requires immediate treatment. When a pregnant mother becomes hypoglycemic, she may need medication in order to treat any underlying conditions and will need to be appropriately monitored.
If hypoglycemia is improperly managed, babies can experience certain types of birth injuries. Many women who experience hypoglycemia during pregnancy as a result of gestational diabetes will have especially large babies, which can result in fetal macrosomia-related injuries. Indeed, a vaginal childbirth can be difficult and even dangerous for the baby, and the healthcare provider may need to schedule a cesarean section, or C-section. In addition, a baby born to a mother with improperly managed hypoglycemia can have jaundice, and the baby’s “blood sugar may drop dangerously low shortly after birth,” according to Medical News Today.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia During a Chicago Pregnancy
The Mayo Clinic cites the following as common initial signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, which a healthcare provider should be able to identify in order to act quickly:
- Irregular heartbeat;
- Faster than normal heartbeat;
- Pale skin;
- Shakiness;
- Anxiety and/or irritability;
- Sweating;
- Feeling hungry;
- Tingling in the lips, tongue, or cheeks; and/or
- Numbness in the lips, tongue, or cheeks.
When hypoglycemia goes untreated, the signs and symptoms typically worsen and can result in life-threatening injuries. The Mayo Clinic explains that emergency signs of hypoglycemia include, for example:
- Confusion;
- Abnormal behavior;
- Inability to complete everyday tasks;
- Blurred vision;
- Seizures; and/or
- Loss of consciousness.
Diagnosing and Managing Hypoglycemia in Chicago
Healthcare providers have a duty to consider a mother’s risk factors for hypoglycemia and to properly manage any conditions that may result in minor to severe hypoglycemia. If hypoglycemia is not properly diagnosed or managed, the healthcare provider may be responsible for injuries.
Contact Our Hypoglycemia Mismanagement Lawyers in Chicago
Do you have questions about filing a birth injury claim related to hypoglycemia mismanagement? One of our Chicago birth injury attorneys can assess your case for you today and provide you with more information about your options for filing a claim. Contact Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC to learn more about how we can assist you.