Posted on February 5, 2010 in Diabetes Information, Diabetes Treatment
Insulin shock or Hypoglycemia is a potentially serious temporary side effect of diabetes, where blood sugar levels are depleted. This sudden drop in blood glucose level causes weakness, loss of consciousness and sick feeling.
Hypoglycemia can happen anytime when a patient does everything possible to control the disease. Sometimes, it can not be prevented, but it requires urgent treatment, so it does not get worse.
Insulin Shock Physiology:
Insulin shock results by increased intake of insulin or over exercise and medications. When there is excess insulin in the body, it rapidly reduces the level of sugar in blood. It causes the damage to the cells. This lowering in the blood glucose level, causes Insulin shock.
When a patient is in Insulin shock, he experiences fast pulse and breathing, dizziness, loss of consciousness, weakness, headache, sweating, numb hands, feet or lips, and hunger. Insulin shock is an emergency and needs immediate attention and action.
Insulin Shock Therapy:
- It should be treated as quickly as possible.
- A person in insulin shock urgently needs sugar in any form.
- He can be administered with fruit juices, candy bars or a soft drink.
- Two to three teaspoons of table sugar can be given to a person in insulin shock.
- After 15 to 20 minutes of initial administration of sugar, check the blood sugar level again. If it is still low, treat it again.A regular snack or meal can then be eaten. This is done to keep the blood sugar level up.
- If a person is unconscious, sugar can be rubbed under the tongue and on the gums, it can be absorbed through oral mucosa.
- Establish an airway also if the person is unconscious.
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If the person is still unconscious and can not be awakened, call 911 emergency medical help.
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