Did you take too much insulin? Here's what to do without panicking! (Insulin Overdose)

Cold sweats, shaking hands, feeling very nervous, a little dizzy... Have you ever experienced anything like this with diabetes? These often happen when your blood sugar level drops dangerously low. Doctors call this condition hypoglycemia . The main reason why this condition occurs in someone who uses insulin is that they inject more insulin than they need.

Many people living with diabetes experience hypoglycemia. It can be dangerous at times. But the good news is that many of these insulin-related problems can be prevented if we follow a few simple rules. Let's see how.

How can you get too much insulin?

There are a few small mistakes we can make that can lead to too much insulin in our bodies. These things often happen in situations like these:

• Misreading the measurements on the syringe or vial: This is more likely to happen when you start using a new type of insulin or when you use a new syringe.
• Using the wrong type of insulin: Imagine that you usually take 30 units of long-acting insulin and 10 units of short-acting insulin. If the two bottles look the same, it is very likely that you will switch between the two in a hurry.
• Taking insulin without eating: Rapid-acting and short-acting insulins should be taken shortly before or with meals. This is because our blood sugar levels rise after eating. So if you take this type of insulin without eating, your blood sugar levels can drop dangerously low.
• Injecting insulin into an arm or leg before exercise: Physical activity, that is, exercise, naturally lowers our blood sugar levels. It also changes the way the body absorbs insulin. So if you are doing exercise like running or walking, avoid injecting insulin into the arm or leg that will be the most active at that time. Instead, it is better to inject it into an area that is less affected by exercise, such as the abdomen.

What are the symptoms of too much insulin?

When your blood sugar drops (hypoglycemia) due to too much insulin, you may experience one or more of these symptoms. It is important to be aware of these.

What to do if you take too much insulin?

Don't worry. Most of the time we have too much insulin.You can manage it at home. If you are conscious, follow these steps.

Advice to give to your family and friends

If you lose consciousness, they are the ones who will take care of you. So give them these instructions in advance.

• If you lose consciousness, call the 1990 ambulance service immediately or take you to the nearest hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
• Talk to your doctor about a shot called glucagon . This is a hormone that works against insulin. If you have frequent low blood sugar, ask your doctor about keeping one at home.
• If you are conscious enough to follow instructions, ask them to give you a sweet drink.
• If your symptoms do not improve after about an hour, advise them to seek medical help immediately.

How can this situation be prevented?

There are a few simple things you can do to ensure this doesn't happen.

• Keep a consistent schedule: Get into the habit of taking your insulin at the same time every day and eating at the same time. This will make it easier for you to keep everything in order.
• Don't skip meals: Even if you're not hungry, eat something small at mealtimes. Eat something like a slice of bread, a glass of milk, or a piece of fruit. Never skip a meal after taking insulin.
• Be prepared:Keep in mind that this situation may arise one day. Keep something like toffee in your bag, car, and suitcase.
• Inform others: Tell your family and close friends how you behave when you have low blood sugar. This way, they can take action quickly, even if you are confused.
• Wear a Medical Alert Bracelet: It indicates that you are an insulin user. It could help save your life in an emergency.