Symptoms of insulin reaction. Diabetic Shock and Insulin Reactions: Essential Guide to Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
What are the causes of insulin reactions. How can you recognize the symptoms of diabetic shock. What are the most effective treatments for hypoglycemia. How can you prevent severe insulin reactions.
Understanding Hypoglycemia: The Root of Insulin Reactions
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a condition that can lead to serious health complications for individuals with diabetes. It occurs when there’s an imbalance between the insulin in your system and the amount of food you eat or your level of physical activity. This imbalance can result in a dangerous drop in blood glucose levels, potentially leading to insulin shock.
Why is maintaining proper blood sugar levels crucial? The cells in our body rely on sugar from carbohydrates for energy. Insulin, normally produced by the pancreas, helps regulate blood sugar levels by allowing glucose to enter the cells. Without proper regulation, blood sugar levels can become dangerously low, leading to hypoglycemia.
The Role of Insulin in Blood Sugar Regulation
Insulin plays a vital role in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. For those whose bodies don’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it effectively, insulin injections or other medications are necessary to control blood glucose. However, this introduces the challenge of balancing insulin doses with food intake and physical activity.
Common Causes of Hypoglycemia and Insulin Reactions
Several factors can contribute to the development of hypoglycemia. Understanding these triggers is crucial for managing diabetes effectively and preventing insulin reactions.
- Increased physical activity beyond usual levels
- Skipping or delaying meals
- Changes in regular eating patterns or portion sizes
- Adjustments in insulin dosage or timing
- Excessive alcohol consumption without food
Can stress influence blood sugar levels? Indeed, stress hormones can affect glucose metabolism, potentially leading to fluctuations in blood sugar. Managing stress through relaxation techniques and regular exercise can help maintain more stable blood glucose levels.
Recognizing the Symptoms: From Mild to Severe Hypoglycemia
The symptoms of hypoglycemia can range from mild to severe. Recognizing these signs early is crucial for preventing the condition from worsening.
Mild to Moderate Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
Early recognition of mild symptoms can prevent the progression to more severe hypoglycemia. Be alert for:
- Dizziness and irritability
- Sudden mood changes or unusual behavior
- Intense hunger
- Shakiness and sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
Severe Symptoms Requiring Immediate Attention
If hypoglycemia progresses, it can lead to more serious symptoms that require urgent medical care:
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Confusion and disorientation
- Severe headaches
- Poor coordination
How quickly can hypoglycemia progress from mild to severe? The transition can occur rapidly, often within minutes, emphasizing the importance of prompt treatment at the first sign of symptoms.
Nighttime Hypoglycemia: A Hidden Danger
Hypoglycemia can also strike during sleep, presenting unique challenges for detection and treatment. Nighttime symptoms may include:
- Crying out or having nightmares
- Waking up with damp pajamas or sheets due to excessive sweating
- Feeling unusually tired, irritable, or confused upon waking
How can you reduce the risk of nighttime hypoglycemia? Consider having a small snack before bed, regularly monitoring your blood sugar levels before sleep, and discussing with your healthcare provider about adjusting your insulin regimen if nighttime lows are frequent.
Immediate Treatment Strategies for Hypoglycemia
When experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia, quick action is crucial. The goal is to raise your blood sugar level rapidly to prevent complications.
The 15-15 Rule for Treating Mild to Moderate Hypoglycemia
For mild to moderate hypoglycemia, follow the 15-15 rule:
- Consume 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates
- Wait 15 minutes
- Recheck your blood sugar
- Repeat if necessary until blood sugar returns to normal range
What are some quick sources of 15 grams of carbohydrates?
- 3-4 glucose tablets
- 1/2 cup of fruit juice or regular soda
- 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar
- 1/4 cup of raisins
Emergency Treatment for Severe Hypoglycemia
In cases of severe hypoglycemia where the person is unconscious or unable to swallow safely:
- Do not attempt to give food or drink
- Administer glucagon if available and you’re trained to do so
- Call emergency services immediately
Why is it dangerous to give food or drink to someone experiencing severe hypoglycemia? There’s a risk of choking or aspiration, which can lead to further complications. Always prioritize safety and seek professional medical help in severe cases.
Long-Term Management and Prevention of Insulin Reactions
Preventing hypoglycemia and insulin reactions requires a comprehensive approach to diabetes management. Here are key strategies to consider:
Regular Blood Sugar Monitoring
Frequent blood glucose checks help you understand your body’s patterns and responses to various factors. Consider using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for real-time tracking and alerts.
Balanced Diet and Meal Planning
Work with a registered dietitian to create a meal plan that balances carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Consistent carbohydrate intake and regular meal times can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Medication Management
Collaborate closely with your healthcare provider to adjust insulin doses or other diabetes medications as needed. Regular check-ins and A1C tests can help fine-tune your treatment plan.
Exercise Planning
Physical activity is beneficial for diabetes management but can affect blood sugar levels. Learn to adjust your insulin and food intake around exercise to prevent lows.
How can you safely incorporate exercise into your diabetes management routine? Start by checking your blood sugar before, during, and after activity. Keep fast-acting carbohydrates handy, and consider reducing your insulin dose before planned exercise, under your doctor’s guidance.
Education and Support: Key Components of Effective Diabetes Management
Managing diabetes and preventing insulin reactions isn’t just about medical interventions—it’s also about education and support.
Diabetes Education Programs
Participate in comprehensive diabetes education programs to learn about:
- Advanced blood sugar management techniques
- Nutrition and carbohydrate counting
- Technology for diabetes management
- Strategies for managing diabetes in various life situations
Building a Support Network
Surround yourself with knowledgeable and supportive individuals:
- Join diabetes support groups
- Educate family and friends about diabetes and hypoglycemia
- Consider working with a diabetes coach or mentor
How can involving your family and friends in your diabetes management improve your outcomes? When those close to you understand your condition, they can provide better support, recognize symptoms of hypoglycemia, and assist in emergencies, creating a safer environment for you.
Technological Advancements in Hypoglycemia Prevention and Management
The landscape of diabetes management is continually evolving, with new technologies offering improved ways to prevent and manage hypoglycemia.
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)
CGMs provide real-time glucose readings and trends, allowing for proactive management of blood sugar levels. Many CGMs now offer predictive alerts, warning users of potential lows before they occur.
Insulin Pumps with Smart Technology
Advanced insulin pumps can now work in tandem with CGMs to automatically adjust insulin delivery based on glucose readings, helping to prevent both highs and lows.
Smartphone Apps for Diabetes Management
Various apps can help track blood sugar, insulin doses, carbohydrate intake, and physical activity, providing valuable insights for better diabetes management.
How do these technological advancements impact the daily life of someone with diabetes? They offer greater freedom and peace of mind by automating some aspects of diabetes management and providing more detailed data for informed decision-making.
Special Considerations for Insulin Reactions in Different Populations
The management of hypoglycemia and insulin reactions can vary depending on age, lifestyle, and specific health conditions.
Children with Diabetes
Managing diabetes in children presents unique challenges:
- Need for more frequent blood sugar checks
- Adjusting insulin doses for growth and activity levels
- Education for school staff and caregivers
Elderly Individuals
Older adults may face additional risks:
- Higher risk of severe hypoglycemia due to impaired awareness
- Potential cognitive impacts of repeated hypoglycemic episodes
- Need for simplified management strategies
Pregnant Women with Diabetes
Pregnancy can affect blood sugar control:
- Increased insulin sensitivity in early pregnancy
- Need for more frequent monitoring and insulin adjustments
- Importance of tight blood sugar control for fetal health
Why is personalized diabetes management crucial for these different groups? Each population has unique physiological, lifestyle, and risk factors that require tailored approaches to effectively prevent and manage insulin reactions.
The Future of Insulin Reaction Prevention and Treatment
Research in diabetes management continues to advance, offering hope for improved prevention and treatment of insulin reactions.
Artificial Pancreas Systems
These closed-loop systems combine CGM technology with insulin pumps and advanced algorithms to automate insulin delivery, potentially reducing the risk of hypoglycemia significantly.
Novel Insulin Formulations
Researchers are developing “smart” insulins that activate only when blood sugar levels rise, potentially eliminating the risk of insulin-induced hypoglycemia.
Gene Therapy and Beta Cell Regeneration
Ongoing studies explore the possibility of restoring natural insulin production through gene therapy or stimulating the regeneration of insulin-producing beta cells.
How might these advancements change the landscape of diabetes management? They hold the potential to dramatically reduce the daily burden of diabetes management and the risk of complications, offering a future where insulin reactions become increasingly rare.
Understanding and managing insulin reactions is a critical aspect of diabetes care. By recognizing the symptoms, knowing how to respond, and working closely with healthcare providers, individuals with diabetes can significantly reduce their risk of experiencing severe hypoglycemic episodes. As research continues and technology advances, the future looks promising for even better management strategies and potential cures for diabetes.
Diabetic Shock and Insulin Reactions: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Written by Joseph Saling
- What Is Hypoglycemia?
- What Causes Hypoglycemia?
- Are There Symptoms of Hypoglycemia or Warning Signs of Insulin Shock?
- How Is Hypoglycemia Treated?
Severe hypoglycemia, or insulin shock, is a serious health risk for anyone with diabetes. Also called insulin reaction, because of too much insulin, it can occur anytime there is an imbalance between the insulin in your system and the amount of food you eat, or your level of physical activity. It can even happen while you are doing all you think you can do to manage your diabetes.
The symptoms of insulin shock may seem mild at first, but they should not be ignored. If it isn’t treated quickly, hypoglycemia can become a very serious condition that causes you to faint, requiring immediate medical attention. Insulin shock can also lead to a coma and death. It’s important that not only you but also your family and others around you learn to recognize the signs of hypoglycemia and know what to do about them. It could save your life.
Hypoglycemia refers to a low level of blood sugar. The cells in your body use sugar from carbohydrates for energy. Insulin, which normally is made in the pancreas, is necessary for sugar to enter the cells. It helps keep the levels of sugar in the blood from getting too high.
It’s important to maintain the proper level of sugar in your blood. Levels that are too high can cause severe dehydration, which can be life-threatening. Over time, excess sugar in the body does serious damage to organs such as your heart, eyes, and nervous system.
Ordinarily, the production of insulin is regulated inside your body so that you naturally have the amount of insulin you need to help control the level of sugar. But if your body doesn’t make its own insulin or if it can’t effectively use the insulin it does produce, you need to inject insulin as a medicine or take another medication that will increase the amount of insulin your body does make. So, if you need to medicate with insulin, it becomes your responsibility to see that you have the amount of insulin you need.
When to take insulin or another medication and how much to use depends on when, what, and how much food you eat. It also depends on your level of physical activity since the cells in your body use more sugar when you are active. Hypoglycemia is a reaction to too much insulin in your system. The insulin speeds up the lowering of the blood glucose level. Then without eating or with your body burning sugar faster because of physical activity, the level of sugar becomes dangerously low.
Several things can cause hypoglycemia. Your blood sugar level could be low if you:
- Become more physically active than usual.
- Miss a meal.
- Change when or how much you normally eat.
- Take your insulin or medication in a different amount or at a different time than usual.
- Drink alcohol excessively without eating.
The symptoms of hypoglycemia can be classified as mild or early, 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
If you experience any possible signs of mild hypoglycemia, it’s important to check your blood sugar if you can to make sure it isn’t low. If it is, you should treat it quickly or seek emergency care. However, if you notice symptoms and can’t check your blood sugar level for some reason, you should go ahead and treat yourself for low blood sugar or seek emergency care. If symptoms are severe or you are unable to help yourself, seek emergency medical attention.
If your hypoglycemia is mild or moderate, the best way to raise your blood sugar level quickly is to eat or drink something that contains 15-20 grams of glucose or other sugar. You might take three to four glucose tablets or one-third to one-half tube of glucose in gel form, which you can buy at the drugstore. Or you may want to drink a half cup of fruit juice (orange juice or apple juice).
Other snacks you can use to raise your sugar level 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
You can also ask your doctor or dietitian for recommendations for other snack items that can help raise your blood sugar level when you need to.
After you’ve taken a snack, wait 15 minutes and check your blood sugar level again. If it is still low, eat another snack, then wait 15 minutes and check it again. Repeat the process until your blood sugar level is in its normal target range. Following that, eat another small snack if your regular meal is more than an hour away, such as half a sandwich, 1 ounce of cheese with 4-6 crackers, or 1 tablespoon of peanut butter with 4-6 crackers.
If you lose consciousness, you will need immediate medical attention. It’s important that you educate the people in your family and the people you work with about insulin shock and about what to do if it happens. Someone should call 911 or arrange to get you to an emergency room if that’s not possible. If you go to the hospital, doctors may give sugar through a vein (intravenously).
You can ask your doctor to prescribe a glucagon rescue kit and then teach others how to use it. Glucagon is a natural hormone that rapidly causes the level of sugar in your blood to rise. If you are unconscious, someone injecting you with glucagon even before emergency help arrives can prevent further complications and help you recover.
Top Picks
Warning Signs and Treatment Options
Warning signs of insulin shock can include dizziness, shaking, clamminess, a rapid pulse, and other symptoms. If not treated, it can become an emergency.
Insulin shock occurs when you have too much insulin in your blood. This can lead to hypoglycemia, also called low blood sugar.
Insulin shock may occur if someone:
- ignores mild hypoglycemia
- takes too much insulin by mistake
- misses a meal completely
- does excessive unusual exercise without changing their carbohydrate intake
Insulin shock is a diabetic emergency. If left untreated, it can lead to diabetic coma, brain damage, and even death.
Having too much insulin in your blood can lead to having too little glucose. If your blood sugar falls too low, your body no longer has enough fuel to carry out its regular functions. In insulin shock, your body becomes so starved for fuel that it begins to shut down.
If you have diabetes and use insulin to help control your blood sugar, you can end up with excess amounts in your blood if you inject too much insulin or miss a meal after injecting insulin.
Other possible causes include:
- not eating enough
- exercising more than usual
- drinking alcohol without eating any or enough food
If your blood sugar drops a bit below normal, you may experience mild to moderate symptoms, including:
- dizziness
- shaking
- sweating/clamminess
- hunger
- nervousness or anxiety
- irritability
- rapid pulse
At this stage, you can usually take immediate steps to recover. Eating 15 grams of quick-acting carbohydrates — such as glucose tablets or high-sugar options like fruit juice, raisins, honey, or candy — can help stabilize your blood sugar and reduce symptoms.
After 15 minutes, test your blood sugar. If your blood sugar has improved, you’ll want to eat a small smack to help your body fully recover — but otherwise you should be fine.
If your blood sugar isn’t increasing, try eating another 15 grams of carbohydrates, followed by a meal. If you blood sugar is not increasing after repeating this step again, contact your doctor or visit the emergency room.
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
When we consume food or beverages that contain carbohydrates, your body converts them into glucose. Glucose is a type of sugar that fuels the body, giving it the energy it needs to perform everyday functions. Insulin is a hormone that works like a key. It opens the door in the body’s cells so they can absorb glucose and use it as fuel.
People with diabetes may lack enough insulin or have cells that aren’t able to use insulin as they should. If the cells of the body aren’t able to absorb the glucose properly, it causes excess glucose in blood. This is called high blood glucose, which is linked with a number of health issues. High blood glucose can cause eye and foot problems, heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and nerve damage.
Insulin shots help people with diabetes use glucose more efficiently. Taking an insulin shot before eating helps the body absorb and use glucose from the food. The result is a more balanced and healthy blood sugar level.
Mild to moderate hypoglycemia can normally be treated as described above. If you start experiencing the symptoms of severe hypoglycemia, however, it’s time for more aggressive treatments. If you or someone near you begins to experience insulin shock, take these steps:
- Call 911, particularly if the person is unconscious.
- Treat as outlined above unless the person is unconscious. Don’t give an unconscious person something 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.
Insulin shock is not a pleasant experience. But there are things you can do to prevent it from happening.
Follow these tips to reduce your risk of experiencing severe hypoglycemia and related problems:
- Keep glucose tablets or hard candy for times when your blood sugar dips too low.
- Eat after taking your insulin shot.
- Always ask your doctor how to use a new medication.
- Eat a snack if your blood sugar is under 100 milligrams per deciliter before exercise or if you’re planning on doing more exercise than normal. Keep a carbohydrate snack with you when exercising. Talk to your dietitian about the best things to eat before exercise.
- Be cautious when drinking alcohol. Talk to your doctor about safe levels of consumption.
- Be cautious after vigorous exercise, as it can lower blood sugar for hours after the workout.
- Test your blood sugar often.
- If you experience symptoms while driving, pull over immediately.
- Inform family and friends of the symptoms of hypoglycemia so they can help you if you start experiencing it.
- Ask your doctor for glucagon, since all people on insulin should always have glucagon available.
- Wear a medical ID so emergency technicians can treat you quickly.
With the proper precautions, you can manage your diabetes and your insulin medications to keep your blood sugar levels steady.
Insulin reaction (hypoglycemia) – Medical center “Lіko-Med”
Publication date
October 3, 2018
Rubric
Diseases
What is an insulin response (hypoglycemia)?
Insulin response – a decrease in blood sugar to below normal levels (70 mg / dl, 3.5 mmol / l) in patients with diabetes mellitus as a result of skipping meals, increased physical activity or the use of a large dose of insulin. Hypoglycemia causes confusion, excessive sweating, hunger, headache, and fatigue. If left untreated, low blood sugar can cause blackouts, seizures, or coma. Therefore, it is important to recognize the insulin reaction in time and return the sugar level to normal. To do this, it is enough to drink fruit juice, eat a lollipop or take glucose tablets.
Ambulance.
Seek emergency help immediately if your symptoms do not improve with glucose, convulsions, and faintness.
What to expect?
The first signs of low blood sugar are hunger and feeling warm. This is followed by confusion, fatigue, sweating, restlessness and headache. The symptoms differ from person to person. Critically low blood sugar levels can lead to fainting, seizures, and coma. To avoid severe symptoms of hypoglycemia, follow your prescribed diabetes management plan and control your blood sugar. Taking action to raise blood sugar as soon as symptoms appear is the main treatment for hypoglycemia.
What makes it worse?
Lack of measures to increase the amount of sugar in the blood at the time of the onset of symptoms. Drinking alcohol, skipping meals, increased physical activity, and high doses of insulin lower your blood sugar levels.
Treatment.
Foods or drinks that are high in glucose will usually help to eliminate the insulin response. In severe cases, glucose injections may be required.
What should I do myself?
You can prevent hypoglycemia on your own by eating about 15 grams of carbohydrates. To do this:
— take three glucose tablets;
– drink half a cup of fruit juice or one glass of milk;
– Eat 5-6 caramels or a tablespoon of sugar.
Wait 15 minutes. Then re-measure the sugar level. If it is still below normal, take another 15 grams of carbohydrates. Repeat the steps until the sugar level returns to normal. If long-acting insulin or oral anti-diabetic drugs are used, the blood sugar test should be repeated after a few hours to ensure there is no insulin response.
When to see a doctor?
Seek medical attention if your blood sugar levels are low frequently.
What to ask the doctor?
1. Could the insulin reaction be caused by taking a large dose of insulin or a high sugar diet?
2. Do I need to change my medication dose?
3. What should I do if the insulin reaction happens again?
4. How often should blood sugar be measured?
5. Is it possible that my symptoms are caused by a condition other than low blood sugar?
Diagnosis.
Patients with diabetes should regularly measure the amount of sugar in the blood. If you have frequent episodes of hypoglycemia, see your doctor to find out if you need to make dietary changes, exercise, or medication.
Topic 2. Action of insulin
An organism needs energy to exist.
The main source of energy for body cells is glucose. Glucose is formed by the absorption of carbohydrates that a person receives from food.
When a person is not eating, normal blood glucose levels are maintained by using the body’s stored carbohydrates (liver glycogen) and synthesizing glucose from proteins. They often ask if a person does not eat, why does his blood glucose increase, where does it come from. Answer: from liver glycogen and protein breakdown. However, there are few glycogen reserves (about 90 grams), and it is extremely unprofitable for the body to synthesize glucose from protein, therefore, during starvation, the body begins to “save” glucose and turns off its supply to some organs. Those. during starvation, glucose enters only critical organs (brain, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves).
Insulin does not let glucose into tissues during fasting. Figuratively speaking, there is a “lock” on the cells of some organs, which is opened by insulin. When insulin opens the lock, glucose enters the cell. These tissues are insulin-dependent, glucose can only get into them when insulin “gives permission”. Insulin-dependent tissues are muscles, adipose tissue.
But some organs get glucose without insulin, there are no locks, the door for glucose is always open. These organs are called non-insulin dependent. The meaning of the action of insulin: there is food, we can feed everyone, insulin opens the door to cells for glucose. There is no food, which means that we will feed only the most important organs, insulin closes the doors for glucose in less important organs (you can leave muscle and fat “hungry”, but the brain cannot).
But what happens when there is no insulin or it is defective? Then glucose from food carbohydrates enters the bloodstream, but cannot enter the tissues. Even if blood glucose levels are high, insulin-dependent tissues are starving, the cell’s glucose door is locked, the key is missing or broken (“hunger in the midst of abundance”).
And at the same time, glucose enters the non-insulin-dependent tissues in excessive amounts. And what is excessive is unhealthy. Glucose begins to bind to the proteins of these tissues and damage them. It is because of this that diabetes causes damage to target organs (nerves, blood vessels, kidneys, etc.).
How does insulin secretion normally occur?
The minimum amount of insulin in the body is always produced (this is called basal insulin secretion).