1. Lack of Sugar Isn't Always a Good Thing
Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia or insulin shock, occurs when the blood does not receive enough sugar or glucose. While insulin shock is most common with type-1 diabetics, those who take insulin or diabetic medications are also at risk for hypoglycemia. While diabetics who regulate their symptoms with diet and exercise rarely suffer from insulin shock, there are some common triggers which can bring on low levels of blood sugar and insulin shock.
2. Avoid the Causes
Skipping meals, drinking alcohol or taking excessive insulin or medication can cause dangerously low levels of insulin. Additionally, excessive or unexpected exercise, medical conditions which cause vomiting or diarrhea or excessive stress can also lead to a decrease in blood sugar. It is extremely important to be aware of causes of low blood sugar. If you are subject to any of the causes, check your blood sugar level to prevent dangerously low levels.
3. Signs of Shock
The symptoms of insulin shock generally begin slowly, so check your blood sugar if you begin to feel weak, dizzy or shaky or if you begin to sweat profusely, are nervous without reason or begin to feel confused. Symptoms of more serious insulin shock include tingling around the mouth, extreme hunger, pale skin, headache or sudden mood or emotional changes.
4. Sugar to the Rescue
Low blood sugar is best treated with three glucose tablets, a half cup of fruit juice or five or six pieces of hard candy. When none of these treatments are available, you can also drink a half-can of soda pop, a half-cup of milk or eat some other form of carbohydrate, such as fruit or a small candy bar. Check your blood sugar 15 or 20 minutes after eating some form of sugar, treating a second time if levels are still low. Remember that regular meals and snacks are imperative to keep your blood sugar levels regulated.
5. When Sugar Doesn't Cut It
The opposite of insulin shock is diabetic coma; however, symptoms are often so similar that the untrained eye cannot tell the difference. If the diabetic patient passes out, get emergency help immediately. Diabetic coma is more common in cases where the patient has eaten but no prescription medication has been taken and less often when prescription medicine has been taken but meals have been skipped. If the patient is still conscious and claims to have skipped medication, it is best to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Always give sugar to a diabetic patient if you are unsure whether they are suffering from insulin shock or diabetic coma. Sugar will relieve insulin shock and will make no changes, good not bad, in diabetic coma.
