If you have diabetes, chances are that your treatment plan will include insulin injections. When combined with healthy food choices and physical activity, this medication can help you to effectively manage this disease.
The purpose of insulin is to help the cells of the body use sugar as energy. When there too much insulin in the blood, the cells absorb much more sugar than they require. This means less sugar is left in the blood, resulting in a condition called hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels are so low that the body is not able to function properly.
Insulin overdose symptoms
Mild Insulin Overdose
It is possible to overdose on injectable insulin. An insulin overdose has similar symptoms to hypoglycemia, including:
- Sweating;
- Extreme hunger;
- Dizziness;
- Cold sweats;
- Shakiness;
- Blurry/double vision;
- Nervousness;
- Irritability;
- Anxiety;
- And palpitations.
Corrective Actions
Mild insulin overdoses may result from accidental injections of the wrong insulin dosage, or by miscalculating the carbohydrate content of a meal. A mild insulin overdose can be treated at home. If this occurs, do not panic.
- Check your blood sugar level: Ensure that your numbers are within your required range.
- Get some sugar: Drink 1/2 cup of a fizzy drink or sweetened fruit juice and eat a piece of candy or a glucose tablet. If you have skipped a meal, eat something that contains about 20 grams of carbohydrates to elevate your blood sugar levels.
- Rest: Take a break and allow your body to regroup.
- Recheck: Recheck your blood sugar levels after 15–20 minutes.
- Observe: Monitor how you feel for the next few hours.
If symptoms persist, recheck your blood sugar levels and have a snack if your blood sugar is low. If your blood sugar levels stay low for more than 2 hours, or if your symptoms are not improving, seek medical assistance.
Symptoms of a severe insulin overdose include:
- Seizures;
- Loss of consciousness;
- Difficulty speaking;
- And confusion.
If you are suffering from a severe insulin overdose, you must seek immediate medical attention. If you become unconscious due to insulin overdose, a friend or family member should contact emergency medical personnel right away.
A glucagon kit should be carried by people receiving insulin treatment at all times. It is used in emergency situations to balance out the effects of insulin. A family member or paramedic can inject glucagon, but a hospital visit is still required.
Treatment
Treatment for an insulin overdose often includes intravenous dextrose and electrolyte supply. Untreated insulin overdoses can have serious consequences, including coma and death. To avoid insulin overdose, take care when calculating mealtime insulin levels, carefully follow your meal plan, and pay attention to the number and dosage of your insulin injections.
Doctor’s Recommendation
An insulin overdose doesn’t directly cause a heart attack, but too much insulin can lead to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which increases the risk of a heart attack, especially in people with a history of heart problems. The effects of an insulin overdose typically last about three days, but this can vary from person to person. If your symptoms are severe, seek emergency medical help so a doctor can monitor you and ensure it’s safe to go home.
