Insulin shock occurs in persons suffering either from low blood pressure, poor eating habits or too much of insulin. Very commonly observed in diabetics, an insulin shock should be attended to at the earliest. Looking for typical symptoms for an insulin shock can guide you to understanding the needs of the victim.
First Aid for Insulin Shock
If you are assisting a person who goes into an insulin shock, you would have to react as below:
- Look for symptoms such as irritability, increased heart rate, varying consciousness, dizziness, pale, sweaty and severe hunger pangs which are all signs of a person going into an insulin shock.
- When a diabetic complains of not feeling too well, you need to give him or her some sugar to bring up the blood sugar levels in the body. Chocolates, sugar, soda or fruit juices need to be given to bring a person out of an insulin shock.
- In severe cases of an insulin shock, the person loses consciousness. Monitor the airway and breathing by making him lie down with his chin facing up. If the patient is still breathing, rub some sugar on the gums which the body will absorb. If the victim is not breathing, call for emergency services immediately.
- Even if you have met with the immediate action and administered sugar to the victim, you need to get medical help and consultation for further complications, if any.
Experts suggest that the best way to treat insulin shock is to prevent it. A diabetic should be eating and drinking right to balance blood sugar levels in the body. Proper sugar intake can prevent insulin shocks.