Severe hypoglycemia, or insulin shock, is a significant risk for diabetics. This condition also called an insulin reaction, is due to too much insulin in the body. It usually results from an imbalance between insulin, food intake, and physical activity. It can occur without warning, even with good diabetes management. So, it’s crucial to stay vigilant about keeping a balance.
At first, insulin shock symptoms might seem mild, but you should never overlook them. If untreated, hypoglycemia can deteriorate within a short period. It may cause fainting, coma, or death. It’s crucial to spot these signs early. It’s essential for you and your family. Knowing how to respond with urgency can save a life.
What is hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels drop too low. It disrupts the energy supply your body needs. Your cells’ primary energy source is sugar from carbs. But it needs insulin to enter them. Insulin, made by the pancreas, regulates blood sugar. It prevents high blood sugar.
Maintaining balanced blood sugar levels is essential for your health. Very high levels can cause severe dehydration, a deadly risk. High sugar levels, if unchecked, can harm vital organs. These include the heart, eyes, and nervous system.
Your body regulates insulin production to maintain balanced blood sugar levels. If your body can’t make enough insulin, you may need insulin shots or medicine to boost its production. It’s vital to manage your insulin levels. It will ensure your body gets the support it needs.
Insulin and other meds depend on your food and activity. So, their timing and dosage depend on them. When you’re active, your body uses more sugar, affecting blood glucose levels. Hypoglycemia occurs when excess insulin causes a rapid drop in blood sugar. This drop can reach a low level that poses a danger if a person does not eat or engages in increased activity.
What is insulin shock?
Insulin shock occurs when too much insulin causes low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Insulin shock may occur if someone:
- ignores mild hypoglycemia.
- Takes too much insulin by mistake.
- Not possible to remove the adverb.
- Do excessive, unusual exercise without changing their carbohydrate intake.
Insulin shock is a severe diabetic emergency. If untreated, it can cause a coma, brain damage, or death.
What Causes Hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia can occur due to various factors that cause your blood sugar levels to drop:
- Increase your level of physical activity beyond your routine.
- Miss a meal.
- Change when or how much you usually eat.
- Take your insulin or medication in a different amount or at a different time than usual.
- Consume alcohol in large quantities while neglecting food.
Are there symptoms of hypoglycemia or warning signs of insulin shock?
Hypoglycemia symptoms are categorized into three stages: mild, moderate, and severe.
Mild symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Mild symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Moodiness or sudden changes in behavior.
- Hunger
- Shakiness
- Sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
Severe Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
When hypoglycemia becomes severe, symptoms may include:
- Fainting and unconsciousness
- Seizures
- Coma
- Confusion
- Headache
- Poor coordination
Nighttime symptoms of Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia can also occur overnight while you sleep. Symptoms may include:
- Crying out in your sleep.
- Nightmares
- Damp pajamas or sheets resulting from perspiration.
- Waking up tired, irritable, or confused.
At the first signs of mild hypoglycemia, checking your blood sugar is essential to confirm if it is low. If confirmed, the medical team needs to provide prompt treatment. In severe cases, seek emergency care. If you cannot check your blood sugar but have symptoms, it is safer to treat for low blood sugar or seek medical help. Urgent care is vital for severe symptoms or if you can’t self-care.
How is hypoglycemia treated?
Eat 15-20 grams of glucose or sugar. It will quickly raise your blood sugar during mild or moderate hypoglycemia. It is effective. Use one of these: three to four glucose tablets, half a tube of glucose gel, or a small glass of fruit juice, like orange or apple. All are solutions that are easily accessible.
Other snacks you can use to raise your sugar levels include:
- 1/2 cup of regular soda (not diet soda)
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of honey, molasses, or corn syrup.
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 2 large or 6 small sugar cubes, dissolved in water.
Check with your doctor or dietitian for snack ideas to raise your blood sugar when needed. After consuming a snack, wait 15 minutes and recheck your blood sugar. If it remains low, have another snack and repeat the process until your levels stabilize. If your next meal is over an hour away, consider a small snack. Try half a sandwich, a few crackers with cheese, or peanut butter. This will keep your energy balanced.
What causes insulin shock?
Too much insulin in the blood can cause a dangerous drop in glucose levels. This leaves your body without the energy it needs to function. In cases of insulin shock, this lack of fuel becomes so severe that the body starts to shut down.
For insulin-dependent diabetics, too much insulin can be fatal. This can happen if they inject too much or skip a meal after an injection.
Other possible causes include:
- not eating enough
- exercising more than usual
- drinking alcohol without eating any food or enough food
How does insulin shock affect the body?
Mild to moderate symptoms may occur when blood sugar drops below normal levels.
- dizziness
- shaking
- sweating/clamminess
- hunger
- nervousness or anxiety
- irritability
- rapid pulse
At this stage, eat 15 grams of fast-acting carbs. Good options are glucose tablets, fruit juice, honey, or candy. They can quickly stabilize blood sugar and relieve symptoms.
After 15 minutes, check your blood sugar. If it has improved, have a small snack to support your recovery, and you should feel better.
If your blood sugar doesn’t improve, consume another 15 grams of carbohydrates and follow it with a meal. If it doesn’t rise after repeating this, seek medical attention or contact your doctor.
Plummeting blood sugar can also cause:
- headaches
- confusion
- fainting
- poor coordination, tripping, and falling
- muscle tremors
- seizures
- coma
Insulin shock can also happen in the middle of the night. In that case, the symptoms may include:
- nightmares
- crying out in your sleep
- waking up confused or very irritable
- very heavy sweating
- aggressive behavior
How insulin works
Carbs provide energy for daily activities. Your body breaks them down into glucose, a sugar. Insulin, a hormone, acts as a key, allowing cells to absorb and use this glucose as fuel.
In diabetes, the body may not produce enough insulin, or the cells may not use it effectively. This prevents proper glucose absorption, causing high blood sugar. High blood glucose can lead to serious health issues. These include heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, nerve issues, and eye and foot problems.
Insulin injections help people with diabetes manage glucose levels with greater efficiency. Injecting insulin before a meal allows the body to absorb glucose from food. This promotes healthier, balanced blood sugar levels.
Treating insulin shock.
Mild to moderate hypoglycemia is usually treatable with simple methods. Yet, severe hypoglycemia needs immediate, intensive care. If insulin shock occurs, prompt action must address the situation with precision.
- Call 911, especially if the person is unconscious.
- Treat as outlined above unless the person is unconscious. Don’t give an unconscious person anything to swallow, as they may choke on it.
- Administer an injection of glucagon if the person is unconscious. If you don’t have glucagon, emergency personnel will have some.
How to prevent insulin shock
Experiencing insulin shock can be distressing, but it is possible to take steps to prevent it.
Here are ways to lower your risk of severe hypoglycemia and its complications.
- Carry glucose tablets or hard candy to address low blood sugar levels quickly.
- Eat after taking your insulin shot.
- Always ask your doctor how to use a new medication.
- If your blood sugar is below 100 mg/dL before exercise, or if you’re increasing your activity, have a snack first. Carry a carb-rich snack while exercising. Consult your dietitian for the best pre-exercise foods.
- Exercise caution with alcohol and consult your doctor about safe consumption limits.
- Be mindful after intense exercise, as it can cause blood sugar to drop for several hours.
- Test your blood sugar often.
- If you experience symptoms while driving, pull over immediately.
- Let family and friends know the signs of hypoglycemia so they can assist if needed.
- Talk to your doctor about keeping glucagon for anyone using insulin. It may be needed.
- Wear a medical ID so emergency technicians can treat you quickly.
With the right precautions, you can manage diabetes. You can keep stable blood sugar levels with your insulin treatment.
FAQs
Can insulin kill a non-diabetic person?
Insulin misuse in a non-diabetic can cause severe, life-threatening hypoglycemia if untreated. It is critical to use insulin only as prescribed and under medical supervision.
What is schizophrenia and insulin shock therapy?
Insulin shock therapy, once a treatment for schizophrenia, involved insulin injections. They induced low blood sugar and a coma-like state. This outdated treatment is now rare. New mental health therapies and safety concerns are the reasons.
What are the adverse effects of insulin?
Insulin is vital for managing diabetes. But it can cause hypoglycemia, weight gain, or allergic reactions. Tracking blood sugar and following your provider’s advice to reduce risks is essential.
Can insulin cause serious side effects in non-diabetics?
Improper insulin use can lead to a severe drop in blood sugar levels for non-diabetics. This can lead to confusion, seizures, or coma. A healthcare professional should always guide its use.
Is insulin shock therapy still used in modern medicine?
Insulin shock therapy was once a treatment for schizophrenia. The area is now largely deserted. It has risks, and there are safer, better treatments for mental health disorders.
Conclusion
In conclusion, insulin is vital for managing diabetes. Proper use is critical to avoid complications. Both diabetics and healthcare providers must understand its effects, risks, and uses. Insulin shock therapy is now rare, but this shows how medical treatments have evolved. People can manage their health by staying informed and working with doctors. This is both safe and effective.
