Insulin Overdose :
Insulin is a drug used to lower the sugar levels in the blood in people suffering from Diabetes. If insulin is taken more than the needed dose, the person suffers from low blood sugar levels. Immediate action should be taken to prevent the complications.
Treatment for an Insulin Overdose:
- Do not panic and remain calm and quiet.
- Take soda with sugar to increase the sugar levels in the blood.
- Drinks are absorbed into the blood stream much faster than food.
- Diabetic patients are supposed to keep sugar soda ready with them.
- This will help to avoid another episode of low blood sugar.
- A cookie or candy rich in sugar can be taken if sugar soda is not available.
- Monitor the blood sugar levels with a glucometer.
- Glucometer is a home devise used to check the glucose levels in the blood.
- If the sugar levels are low, eat a fruit or a cookie.
- Drink and eat till your blood glucose levels are normal or high.
- If the above treatments are not working even after 2 hours.
- Call 911 or your health care provider for further treatment.
- Anti-dote like glucagon is given by the doctor.
How to prevent an Insulin Overdose?
The following has to be done to reduce the chances of insulin overdose:
- Do not skip any of your meals.
- If your hungry or not eat some bread and drink skim milk.
- You need to eat at every meals.
- Always be prepared to handle low sugar levels.
- Always pack cookies and candies in your travel bag and keep some in your car.
- Explain to your friends and relatives the usual signs of low blood sugar levels.
- They may not get confused and may take the needed action when you suffer from low blood sugar levels.
Signs and Symptoms of an Insulin Overdose:
The symptoms of low blood sugar levels are as follows:
- Confusion.
- Extreme hunger.
- Anxiety.
- Irritation.
- Trembling hands.
- Cold and Clammy skin
- Fatigue.
Causes of Insulin Overdose:
The causes for insulin overdose are as follows
- Injecting too much of insulin due to difficulty in reading the syringe.
- You have injected the correct amount but the wrong type of injection.
- Injected insulin but did not eat your meals.
