Not everyone understands the term diabetic shock. Also known as severe hypoglycemia, diabetic shock occurs when there is a dangerous drop in blood sugar.
If you’ve ever experienced mild hypoglycemia, you probably remember feeling shaky and dizzy, and perhaps you started sweating and developed a headache. But severe hypoglycemia is much more dangerous. Experiencing a diabetic shock could cause you to lose consciousness, experience double vision and have difficulty speaking. Left untreated, diabetic shock can cause seizures, coma, and even death.
What causes diabetic shock?
There are a variety of risk factors that can cause or contribute to severe hypoglycemia. They include:
• having diabetes for a long time
• adrenal problems or kidney disease
• doing more activity without adjusting your food or medication intake
• drinking alcohol
• taking too much insulin during a meal
• skipping or delaying a meal or snack or eating too little
• not taking the right amount of diabetes medication
• older age
Treating diabetic shock
People who are at high risk for diabetic shock may have a syringe of glucagon. Look for a medical alert bracelet. If the person is unconscious, you can turn them on their side and deliver the shot. Most people will gain consciousness within 15 minutes. If they don’t, you’ll need to call 911.
Preventing diabetic shock
For the most part, it’s possible to avoid diabetic shock with some lifestyle changes. Be sure to:
• monitor your blood sugar levels
• avoid skipping meals or snacks
• take your medication on time and in the right dosage
• use continuous glucose monitors with alarms to let you know when your blood sugar is low
• eat food when drinking alcohol
• keep track of your reactions and symptoms when your blood sugar is low
It’s important to realize that everyone’s blood sugar target should be different based on their individual needs.
