Patient/caregiver was instructed upon precautions to be observed while taking insulin as follows:
- Insulin helps to promote shifting of glucose from the blood into the cells of body tissues. This helps with reducing/regulating the blood sugar levels and contributes towards improved blood sugar control. If the blood sugars are being overly corrected with insulin administration, individuals can present with severely low blood sugars (hypoglycemia). Individuals with hypoglycemia can present with symptoms, such as, dizziness, confusion, and in severe cases even loss of consciousness. The dizziness and confusion can lead to build-up of anxiety and associated symptoms, such as, sweating, shakiness, and muscle twitching. Poor nutrition to the tissues due to hypoglycemia can result in exhaustion, fatigue, and increased hunger.
- Diabetic individuals and caregivers must be aware of the above mentioned hypoglycemic symptoms and keep a close watch for them after insulin intake. Frequent hypoglycemic episodes with insulin administration calls for insulin dosage adjustment. Report to your physician regarding this and seek their intervention on insulin dose change.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose, which can result in severe lowering of blood sugars and an episode of dangerous hypoglycemia. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
