Does insulin cause low blood sugar and cause 'shock'? Let's learn exactly about hypoglycemia

Are you someone who uses diabetes medication, especially insulin? Then you must have heard about the times when your blood sugar level gets too low. This is what we medically call hypoglycemia. Some people also call it 'insulin shock'. Although it is actually a bit scary, if managed properly, it is not that difficult to stay safe from this risk. Today, we will talk about why this happens, how to prevent it, and what to do in an emergency.

Why does our blood sugar suddenly drop?

Simply put, this happens when there is an imbalance between the food you eat, the exercise you do, and the diabetes medication you take (especially insulin).

Think of it like a scale. On one side is your insulin and medication (which lowers blood sugar). On the other side is the food you eat (which raises blood sugar). Even when you exercise, your body uses up the sugar in your blood. So, if you don't take your medication and eat the right foods, if you exercise harder than you should, or if you take your medication at the wrong time, the balance on the scale can be thrown off and your blood sugar levels can drop dangerously low.

If left untreated, low blood sugar can cause you to faint. Severe insulin shock is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

What can we do to prevent low blood sugar?

It's better to prevent low blood sugar than to treat it. If you talk to your doctor and come up with a good management plan, you can stay healthy. Here are some things you can do to help.

Check your sugar levels regularly.

The best way to know your blood sugar level accurately is to test it with a blood glucose meter. Do it exactly as often as your doctor advises. These are usually the best times to test.

If your sugar level is outside the target range, notify your doctor or diabetes clinic immediately .

Be very careful when exercising.

When you're active, your body uses sugar for energy. So to prevent low blood sugar during exercise, you need to:

• Eat a small snack (e.g. a banana, two or three biscuits) before exercising.
• Change your insulin dose. But you should only do this after consulting your doctor .

If you check your blood sugar levels before, during, and after exercising, you'll know for sure how much it's dropping. Remember, if you do a harder workout than you normally do, the effects can last up to 24 hours .

Be careful about medications and food.

• Take the right dose of medicine: Don't take more insulin than you're prescribed. And don't take it at the wrong time. Insulin injections should be given into the fatty layer under the skin. If you accidentally inject it into a muscle, the insulin can be absorbed too quickly and your blood sugar can drop too low.
• Don't skip meals: Eat your main meals and snacks at the right times.
• Have a plan for sick days: Even if you're not feeling well or vomiting, don't skip your prescribed medication. Try to eat or drink something along with it. If you can't eat or drink anything, call your doctor right away.
• Be careful with alcohol:Alcohol can make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Also, you may not notice the symptoms of low blood sugar when you're drunk. If you drink alcohol, never drink on an empty stomach . Only drink it with food.
• Hot water and insulin: Don't take a hot shower or bath after taking insulin. The heat can dilate blood vessels and cause the insulin to be absorbed more quickly. Wait at least an hour and a half before taking a shower.

Can we get help from modern technology?

• CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor): This is a small sensor that is implanted under the skin. It can continuously monitor your blood sugar levels and alert you if they are low. This is very useful for people who do not show symptoms (hypoglycemia unawareness).
• Insulin Pump: This is a small device that is attached to the body. It can deliver the required amount of insulin to the body gradually throughout the day.

You can decide whether these are suitable for you by talking to your doctor.

How this situation affects young children

It is extremely important to prevent low blood sugar levels in young children. A child's brain develops rapidly during the first 4 years of life. Severe low blood sugar during this time can harm brain development.

When babies or toddlers have low blood sugar, they may cry and be fussy more than usual . If they are a little older, you should teach them the early signs of low blood sugar.

• Shakiness
• Sweating
• Feeling like your heart is beating fast

Helping you identify yourself - The importance of a Medical ID

If you or your child are at risk of frequent hypoglycemia, it is very important to wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace .

Imagine you suddenly lose consciousness on the road and have low blood sugar. No one knows who you are or what disease you have. But if you have a bracelet that says 'I have Diabetes' on your wrist, someone who can help you can quickly recognize it and take you to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).

This feature is also available on current smartphones. You can set it up so that your medical information (Medical ID) can be viewed even when the phone is locked. On iPhones, this can be done from the "Medical ID" section of the Health app, and on Android phones, from Settings.