What would you do to help a friend who had accidentally taken an overdose of insulin?

What would you do to help a friend who had accidentally taken an overdose of insulin?

What to Do If You Have an Insulin Overdose

1. Check your blood sugar.
2. Drink one-half cup of regular soda or sweetened fruit juice, and eat a hard candy or have glucose paste, tablets, or gel.
3. If you skipped a meal, eat something now.
4. Rest.
5. Recheck your blood sugar after 15 or 20 minutes.

What happens if you accidentally take too much insulin?

Excess insulin in the bloodstream causes cells in your body to absorb too much glucose (sugar) from your blood. It also causes the liver to release less glucose. These two effects together create dangerously low glucose levels in your blood. This condition is called hypoglycemia.

How do you help someone with diabetic shock?

Treating insulin shock

1. Call 911, particularly if the person is unconscious.
2. Treat as outlined above unless the person is unconscious. Don’t give an unconscious person something to swallow as they may choke on it.
3. Administer an injection of glucagon if the person is unconscious.

What should you give someone suffering from insulin shock?

But if that’s not possible and severe insulin shock is likely, after they put your body in a safe position, someone should:

• Give you a shot of glucagon. Your liver releases sugar when you put this hormone into your body.
• Call 911 if you don’t have a glucagon kit, or if they don’t know what to do.

What are signs of insulin shock?

Are There Symptoms of Hypoglycemia or Warning Signs of Insulin Shock?

• Dizziness.
• Irritability.
• Moodiness or sudden changes in behavior.
• Hunger.
• Shakiness.
• Sweating.
• Rapid heart beat.

What are the signs of a diabetic coma?

Symptoms

• Increased thirst.
• Frequent urination.
• Fatigue.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Shortness of breath.
• Stomach pain.
• Fruity breath odor.
• A very dry mouth.

How low can your blood sugar go before you go into a coma?

If you have a low blood sugar (less than 70 mg/dL) that has not come up after three treatments, call your healthcare provider or 911. If you see a person with diabetes who appears confused, they may be having a low blood sugar episode. Left untreated, the low blood sugar could lead to a diabetic coma.

How high can your blood sugar go before you go into a coma?

A diabetic coma could happen when your blood sugar gets too high — 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or more — causing you to become very dehydrated.

How much does 1 unit of insulin bring down blood sugar?

One unit of insulin should cause your blood sugar level to drop 30 to 50 mg per dL, but you may need more insulin to get the same effect.

Why is my body not responding to insulin?

While genetics, aging and ethnicity play roles in developing insulin sensitivity, the driving forces behind insulin resistance include excess body weight, too much belly fat, a lack of exercise, smoking, and even skimping on sleep. As insulin resistance develops, your body fights back by producing more insulin.

Is it OK to take insulin after a meal?

Research shows that the best time to take a mealtime insulin is 15 to 20 minutes before you eat a meal. You can also take it after your meal, but this may put you at a higher risk of a hypoglycemic episode. Don’t panic if you forget to take your insulin before your meal.