Insulin Shock Vs. Diabetic Coma

Diabetes is a life-threatening disease that affects lots of people annually. A diabetic is susceptible to many complications, like abnormal changes in the blood pressure, strokes, heart and vision problems, etc. Hypoglycemia or insulin shock as it is sometimes referred, and diabetic coma are also common diabetes complications. In this article we are going to discuss both diabetic coma and insulin shock in detail to clearly understand the difference between them.

Insulin Shock

Insulin shock is also called hypoglycemia, and it is usually seen in diabetic patients. Basically, extreme low levels of sugar in the blood causes an insulin shock. For the body to function in the right way, a normal sugar level should be maintained. Fluctuations in the blood sugar level causes many complications. The sugar level should not go too high or too low. The pancreas secrete a hormone called insulin, that maintains the levels of glucose or sugar in the blood. Insulin then stimulates the cells to supply glucose in the blood to various organs in the body. In hypoglycemia too much insulin is secreted by the pancreas, and this leads to lowered blood sugar level (a blood sugar level below 70mg/dL is considered low). Hypoglycemia can also occur if you are taking excess diabetes medications or are eating food that is low on carbohydrates.

The common symptoms are abnormal increase in the heartbeat rate, weakness, uneasiness and discomfort, vision problems like blurry vision, headache, feeling of extreme hunger, facing trouble while sleeping, tingling in hands and feet, and fainting. Extreme case of hypoglycemia that causes seizures, hallucinations, and coma is referred as an insulin shock. Severe hypoglycemia is a medical emergency, and should be treated immediately as it can cause permanent damage to the nervous system. Treating the person with glucose injections is one of the ways to treat it.

Diabetic Coma

Diabetic coma can be considered a complication of hypoglycemia or insulin shock. But it can also occur when the level of the sugar in the blood is too high. In a diabetic coma the person goes unconscious, and stops responding to the stimuli around him. It is a medical emergency, and can prove fatal in case it is left untreated. Extreme fluctuations in the blood sugar level (either too high or too low) is the chief reason for a diabetic coma. Other causes are diabetic ketoacidosis (that is muscle cells do not get enough energy), and Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome (that is the blood sugar levels cross as high as 600 mg/dL). People with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) are at a risk of diabetes coma. High consumption of alcohol, skipping insulin injections, certain injuries and trauma, and drug abuse are also the risk factors.

The symptoms differ according to the cause. If it is high blood sugar, the symptoms are increase in thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue. If the cause is low blood sugar, the symptoms are feeling of tiredness, profuse sweating, unexplained hunger, and confusion. The treatment depends on its cause, that is high blood sugar or low blood sugar. If the cause is high blood sugar, injections of insulin and certain diet changes may help. In case of low blood sugar, glucose injections may prove to be useful.

Summary

In a gist, both diabetic coma and insulin shock are diabetes complications. Insulin shock has diabetic coma as one of its complications. If low blood sugar level is the cause for diabetic coma, the symptoms of both, diabetic coma and insulin shock are the same. To prevent both these complications, strictly following the diet and doctor's advice is necessary. Diabetes is a disease, which if is not properly cared for can turn fatal. Strictly following doctor's advice and doing a good level of exercise helps.

Hope this article was helpful in understanding all about diabetic coma as compared to insulin shock. As said earlier, to prevent both these conditions a good diet and lifestyle has to be maintained. Stay safe.

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Symptoms of Insulin Shock

Insulin shock refers to a severe episode of diabetic hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is characterized by low blood sugar level. The normal range for blood sugar level is 70 to 150 mg/dL. Generally, mild episodes of diabetic hypoglycemia can be reversed easily, with the intake of sugar or glucose.

However, an acute and severe case of insulin shock can result in loss of consciousness and diabetic coma, which may prove fatal at times. Therefore, severe hypoglycemia or insulin shock is considered a medical emergency, which if not treated on time, may lead to seizures and permanent brain damage. Insulin shock is also known by the name of diabetic shock. Below here is a brief discussion about the causes, symptoms and treatment for this condition.

What Causes Insulin Shock?

Insulin shock is generally experienced by diabetic patients, especially the patients of type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the insufficient production of insulin, which is a hormone produced by the pancreas. This hormone is crucial for the absorption of glucose, by the body cells and tissues from the bloodstream. So, it helps lower the level of glucose or sugar in blood.

Insulin shock is caused by the presence of too much insulin in the blood, or too little glucose in the bloodstream, which can be due to slow release of glucose into the bloodstream or its rapid use by the body cells. Taking too much insulin or diabetes medicines, is the most common cause of insulin shock. Sometimes, skipping a meal or not eating enough, excessive exercising without replenishing the lost energy with additional food, exercising at a different time than usual, and excessive alcohol consumption without eating, can also cause insulin shock.

In fact, the level of blood sugar can also be affected by stress and certain illnesses. A condition known as gastroparesis or delayed emptying of the stomach, can cause the blood sugar level to fluctuate. The rate of gastric emptying is not predictable in people with gastroparesis, which can make the blood sugar level erratic and difficult to control. Moreover, certain health problems, and drugs can change the body's need for insulin. Therefore, it is essential to visit a physician periodically to adjust the dosage of insulin and other diabetes medications.

Insulin Shock Symptoms

The symptoms of diabetic hypoglycemia can be classified into three categories, the early or mild symptoms, moderate symptoms, and the severe symptoms. Brain is the first organ to be affected by a sudden drop in the level of blood sugar. Brain needs glucose to carry out its various functions and hence, a decrease in the level of sugar in the bloodstream, can impair the brain functions. This in turn, can manifest in several symptoms. The early signs and symptoms of diabetic hypoglycemia, which can be considered the warning signs of insulin shock are:

• Excessive sweating
• Hunger
• Dizziness
• Shakiness
• Irritability or moodiness
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Rapid heartbeat

The moderate symptoms of this condition are:

• Increased tiredness or weakness
• Headaches
• Confusion
• Poor coordination

When the level of blood sugar drops to a significant level, the following severe symptoms can be experienced.

• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• Clumsiness or jerky movements
• Convulsions or seizures

If not treated on time, insulin shock may eventually result in loss of consciousness, diabetic coma, and even death, if there is a significant reduction in the level of blood sugar.

Sometimes, diabetic hypoglycemia can occur during the night, while you are sleeping. This condition can produce the following symptoms:

• Damp clothes and bed sheets due to excessive perspiration
• Nightmares
• Waking up tired, confused and irritable

Treatment for Insulin Shock

Mild cases of diabetic hypoglycemia can be treated immediately with the oral intake of glucose. This can help reverse a mild case of insulin shock. Glucose can be taken as fruit juice, glucose tablets, or candies. However, if oral intake of glucose is not possible, due to loss of consciousness or seizure, then glucose has to be administered intravenously.

But, severe hypoglycemia or insulin shock, can require the injection of glucagon hormone, that can counteract the actions of insulin and increase the level of blood glucose. This hormone is responsible for the breakdown of glycogen into glucose, which is known as glycogenolysis.

Preventive Measures

• Avoid the habit of skipping a meal.
• Always carry candies or glucose tablets with you.
• Follow the guidelines given by your doctor, regarding the use of diabetes medications.
• Be sure to take only the recommended dose of the particular diabetes medication.
• Learn more about the diabetes medications. Find out whether you are using insulin or a medication, that increases the production of insulin in your body.
• Be sure to eat properly while doing any strenuous physical activity or exercise.
• If you drink alcohol, then discuss with your doctor, how to drink safely without increasing the risk for insulin shock. Do not drink alcohol in an empty stomach.
• Check your blood sugar level routinely, as suggested by your physician.
• Wear a medical ID bracelet or card, that identifies you as a diabetic patient and contains instructions regarding what to do in an emergency, if you become unconscious.

Apart from following these preventive measures, it is also important to have a proper understanding about the symptoms and warning signs of insulin shock, so that they can be identified at the right moment, for ensuring prompt treatment of the condition. If not treated on time, insulin shock can lead to some life-threatening complications.

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Hypoglycemia Signs and Symptoms

Understanding Hypoglycemia

Glucose or blood sugar is the main content of our body, supplying us with energy. Carbohydrates found in vegetables, grains and fruits, are broken down into glucose in the digestive system. Glucose is the simple form of sugar that is present in our blood. The pancreas secrete insulin into the blood stream to maintain a steady sugar level in the body. However, if the secretion of insulin rises abnormally, glucose is completely absorbed, resulting in a severe deficiency of blood sugar. This abnormality causes problems in the functioning of the body, since a balanced sugar content is the driving force for all the body processes.

Hypoglycemia is more of a health problem than a disease. There is a difference between hypoglycemia prevalent in a diabetic person and that in a non-diabetic person. In case of a patient suffering from diabetes, there is a regular dose of medicines advised to maintain insulin level, which breaks down the glucose or blood sugar. If this proportion rises or there is hyperactivity in sugar breakdown, it causes low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. But, in case of non-diabetic individuals, there are two sub-types of hypoglycemia.

Reactive Hypoglycemia

The reactive type mostly occurs in people whose bodily functions are susceptible to slight changes in functioning, although, its causes are a matter of speculation among the experts. Secretion of more glucose in the blood stream or sensitivity of the body to adrenaline secretions may cause reactive hypoglycemia. Another set of rare causes include post surgical complications, especially, if the stomach or the intestine has been operated on, or hereditary lack of sugar tolerance by the body. This type is characterized by a blood sugar level less than 70mg/dL.

Fasting Hypoglycemia

Simply put, the cause of a fasting hypoglycemia is an already diseased body. People prone to this type either have a severe infection, heavy alcohol intake, certain other diseases, allergies to medicines, a malfunctioning heart, liver or kidney, or some form of hormonal deficiency. An individual with a blood sugar level of 50mg/dL, after a long break between meals, can be called hypoglycemic.

Signs and Symptoms

The above mentioned types of hypoglycemia have a number of signs and symptoms which are stated as follows. Any one of these might be a case of the illness, though, the same may vary with factors like age and environment.

• Dizziness
• Excessive sweating
• Loss of concentration
• Seizures
• Irritation
• Increased heartbeat
• Feeling week or tired
• Tingling sensation in the hands, tongue or feet
• Sleepiness
• Lack of coordination
• Frequent mood changes
• Hunger pangs
• Blurry or obscured vision
• Difficulty in speaking
• Depression
• Paleness
• Convulsive body

Hypoglycemia can also be caused during sleep, in which case the following signs and symptoms may be found:

• Damp clothes from excessive sweating.
• Frequent nightmares.
• Waking up with an irritated or fatigued feeling.
• Total disorientation and confusion.

Proper medical care and suitable changes in faulty habits can easily cure the ailment in most cases. However, in case of an individual already suffering from an illness, the consequences can be fatal and hence demand immediate medical treatment by an expert. It can be concluded from the entire study of hypoglycemia, that it is mainly caused due to an unhealthy lifestyle. It is neither a contagious disease nor one acquired due to external factors. A balanced diet, regular meals, physical activity, a good night's sleep and a positive attitude are the effective and the best ways to prevent the occurrence of hypoglycemia.

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