Insulin Side Effects
Blood sugar levels, be it high or low, and skin becoming rough due to its reaction to injections at a particular site are all possible insulin side effects. However, the insulin side effect that needs the most attention ought to be low blood sugar levels because it leads to dangerous complications such as difficulty speaking, seizures and blurry vision. (see Diabetes Complications) So, immediately contact your doctor at the first sign of any insulin side effects. (This article is too short to go into all the insulin side effects that can occur. You can have your doctor discuss with you the whole list of insulin side effects.
An Introduction
Like any other medicine, insulin has its side effects. The most dangerous insulin side effect is low blood glucose levels, even though other side effects can happen. It is necessary for diabetics to know the side effects and be able to tackle them.
Diabetes – Insulin’s Side Effects – Video Guide
Some Insulin Side Effects
Some of the insulin side effects are given below.
- Weight gain.
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) when too little insulin is injected.
- Hypoglycemia ( low blood sugar levels) when too much insulin is injected.
- Skin pitting or thickening at the spot injection is given.
- Skin reaction at the spot injection is given.
Warning Signs of Serious Side Effects
There are a number of insulin side effects which can be serious and, therefore, should inform your doctor about them. Below are some warning signs.
1. Signs of allergy:
- Rashes.
- Itching.
- Hives.
- Indications of breathing difficulty.
- Swollen mouth or throat.
2. Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, due to untreated high blood sugar levels (if your dose is too low):
- Confusion.
- Fever.
- Labored breathing.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Increased thirst and urination.
- Fruity, sweet-smelling breath.
- Unconsciousness.
3. Symptoms of low blood sugar levels:
- Seizures.
- Confusion.
- Blurry vision.
- Extreme hunger.
- Loss of coordination.
- Difficulty speaking.
- Shakiness.
- Cold sweats.
- Changes in behavior, such as mood swings or irritability.
- Dizziness.
- Sweating.
- Unconsciousness.
see Hypoglycemia Vs Hyperglycemia Symptoms.
Each individual shows different indications of low blood sugar levels. Not only you should be aware of your particular indications of low blood sugar levels , but also the people in your home or workplace so that these people can assist you when your mind becomes confused due to the low blood sugar level to act on the matter.
Final Advice
None of the insulin side effects given in this article may be experienced by you. As for your doctor or your health-care team, he has no way to know the possible side effects from a certain medicine. Therefore, you are the one who has to provide the feedback if you do experience any side effects while taking the medicine. It does not matter whether the side effects is caused by insulin or not; your doctor will be able to do a diagnosis and have the side effects treated.