Introduction
The pancreas secretes the hormone insulin, which plays a crucial role in maintaining normal blood sugar levels throughout the body. It is prescribed to patients with diabetes who either do not produce enough insulin or whose bodies are unable to properly utilize insulin. Insulin is necessary for diabetics, but taking too much of it can result in an insulin overdose, which can be extremely harmful or even fatal. Insulin overdoses can occur when people with diabetes take too much insulin. This article will discuss about the factors that can lead to an insulin overdose, as well as its symptoms, possible treatments, and ways to avoid the condition altogether.
What Is Insulin Overdose and How Does It Occur?
An insulin overdose, or poisoning, happens when a person takes an excessive amount of insulin in comparison to what their body needs. This can occur unintentionally when a person with diabetes misreads the dosage instructions on their insulin pen or syringe, forgets a previous injection and administers another one before it is necessary, is distracted and inadvertently injects too much insulin, or is unfamiliar with a new product and makes improper use of it.
Other frequent scenarios include forgetting to eat or experiencing an unexpected delay in the time of a meal, exercising vigorously without adjusting the insulin dose as required, taking another person's dose by mistake, and taking a morning dose at night or vice versa.
Furthermore, an insulin overdose can occur intentionally when a diabetic patient suffers from depression and has suicidal thoughts.
Insulin overdose can also occur when a person's insulin dosage is not adjusted appropriately based on changes in the person's diet, exercise routine, or other factors that affect the person's blood sugar levels. This can lead to harmfully high blood sugar levels.
All of these situations can have serious consequences for diabetics. People who take insulin need to be very careful about their dosage and should consult their doctor for advice if they are uncertain how to give themselves the medication in the most effective manner. Insulin overdoses caused by accidents can be avoided, and safe and effective management of diabetes can be promoted with the assistance of appropriate education and training on insulin administration.
What Is Considered an Insulin Overdose?
Toxicity from insulin depends on several variables, including the patient's age, weight, health, and insulin sensitivity, among others. However, hypoglycemia, marked by low blood sugar levels, can be a symptom of insulin poisoning and can occur when an insulin dose exceeds the body's needs. Insulin dosages vary among individuals according to their bodies' needs. There is no specific dose that is considered dangerous. However, if a patient exceeds the dosage that was prescribed to them, it will result in an overdose.
A case report published in 2015 showed that a patient unintentionally injected a high dose of insulin glargine (3600 IU), which is the highest recorded overdose of this medication. The patient was hospitalized and underwent treatment for their condition. After developing serious hypoglycemia, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) to receive treatment for their condition and was discharged after successful treatment.
What Happens If Someone Overdoses on Insulin?
When an excessive amount of insulin is taken, they put themselves at risk for developing hypoglycemia, which is a condition characterized by dangerously low blood sugar levels. Dizziness, confusion, seizures, and even loss of consciousness are some of the symptoms that can be brought on by hypoglycemia. Severe hypoglycemia is potentially fatal and can cause a coma if untreated.
What Are Insulin Overdose Symptoms?
Depending on the degree of hypoglycemia, different signs and symptoms may accompany an insulin overdose. Sweating, shakiness, and palpitations are all symptoms of mild hypoglycemia. Symptoms of hypoglycemia that are moderately severe include slurred speech, confusion, and drowsiness. Consciousness loss, coma, and seizures are all signs of severe hypoglycemia.
Can Insulin Overdose Cause a Heart Attack?
Hypoglycemia can cause a variety of cardiovascular symptoms, including palpitations, an accelerated heartbeat, and chest pain. An insulin overdose does not directly cause a heart attack; however, severe hypoglycemia can increase the risk of a heart attack in individuals who already have pre-existing heart conditions.
Can an Overdose Lead to Death?
Insulin overdose can lead to death if left untreated or if the hypoglycemia is severe enough to cause a coma or seizures. However, death from insulin overdose is relatively rare, and most people who experience hypoglycemia can be treated successfully with prompt medical attention.
What Is Insulin Overdose Treatment?
The treatment for insulin overdose is determined by the degree of hypoglycemia that the patient is experiencing. In less severe cases, the individual may simply need to consume a sugary beverage or a small snack in order to bring their blood sugar levels back up to normal. When the person's condition is more severe, he or she may require glucose administered intravenously or a glucagon injection, both of which can help raise the glucose levels in the blood more quickly.
Hospitalization might occasionally be required to monitor the patient's blood sugar levels and administer supportive care. To avoid further hypoglycemia episodes, the healthcare provider may also change the patient's insulin dosage or medication schedule.
What Is the Prevention of Insulin Overdose?
In order to avoid an insulin overdose, monitor the blood sugar levels and take the exact amount of insulin that their doctor recommends. People who have diabetes should maintain close communication with their healthcare providers to make any necessary adjustments to the dosage of insulin they take. These adjustments can be made in response to changes in the person's diet, level of physical activity, and other factors that affect blood sugar levels.
In addition, it is crucial to read the instructions that come with the insulin pen or syringe and understand them completely before using the device for the first time. People with cognitive problems should get help with dosing from a caregiver or a medical professional.
What Is the Link Between Insulin Overdose and Depression?
Diabetes and mental illnesses are two conditions that often co-occur in people's lives and can have a substantial impact on their quality of life. It is essential to keep in mind that, unfortunately, an overdose of insulin is another method of suicide that can be used by individuals with altered mental states. People with diabetes who are also dealing with depression or other mental health issues and who have access to large amounts of insulin are especially at risk.
In literature, many cases of suicidal attempts involving insulin overdose have been depicted. An insulin overdose as a method of self-harm can have severe repercussions, including the occurrence of low blood sugar, seizures, and even death.
A person's risk of suicide is significantly higher if they have depression along with diabetes. This could be because of the mental and physiological challenges of dealing with a long-term health condition, as well as the higher risk of complications that people with diabetes face.
Healthcare providers who treat patients with diabetes should be aware of the increased risk of suicide and should screen for depression and other mental health issues. Patients who are having trouble managing their diabetes and who are experiencing mental health symptoms should be referred for the appropriate treatment and support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, insulin is a life-saving drug for diabetics, but it must be used with caution to prevent hypoglycemia and overdose. Insulin can be used safely by people with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels and to maintain their health and well-being, provided that proper monitoring and management are performed.
