Insulin injections are needed by diabetics to control blood sugar levels. However, this therapy has its own impact for sufferers. Check out the various side effects of insulin injections through the following reviews.
Some Effects of Insulin Injections for the Body
In diabetics, insulin production in the body is reduced. In fact, this hormone is needed by the body to process blood sugar (glucose) into energy.
Therefore, in order to meet the amount of insulin, insulin injections are one of the most important treatments to do.
However, just like any other medical treatment, insulin injections can trigger certain effects on the body. Some of the side effects of insulin injections to watch out for include:
1. Allergic Reactions
In general, insulin injections are considered safe if used properly. So, side effects related to this medication are very rare.
Even so, you may experience mild side effects that appear temporarily, such as skin rashes, irritation, bruising, and redness at the injection site.
2. Hypoglycemia
The next side effect of insulin injections is a drastic decrease in blood sugar levels, known as hypoglycemia.
This condition occurs when blood sugar levels are below 70 mg/dL. However, this limit number may vary from person to person. Therefore, make sure to tell your doctor about the threshold for safe blood sugar levels in your body.
Hypoglycemia in diabetics can occur due to using too much insulin. In addition, several conditions increase this occurrence, including:
- Lack of carbohydrate intake.
- Skipping meals.
- Alcohol consumption.
- The body is more active than usual.
- Certain medical conditions, such as stomach pain.
- Weight loss.
- Hot weather.
- Hormonal changes.
- stress.
Also Read: Recognizing the Differences of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
3. Weight Gain
Your body weight can increase by about 1-3 kg after using insulin. When the body has high blood glucose levels, the body cannot convert it into energy.
As a result, this accumulation of glucose is excreted by the kidneys through the urine. This is why diabetics urinate frequently, experience extreme thirst and fatigue.
These symptoms make the body dehydrated and often lead to weight loss. For the record, this weight loss is not healthy.
When you use insulin, the body can process glucose into energy so it doesn’t build up in the blood. For this reason you may experience weight gain.
4. Lipodystrophy
Lipodystrophy is a side effect of insulin injections that affects the skin. The reason could be due to repeated injections in the same place.
Injections into the skin will eventually cause the fat in the skin layer to disappear. Ultimately, the appearance of your skin may change.
To avoid lipodystrophy, you can change the location of the insulin injection.
5. Insulin Overdose
Sometimes, the use of insulin can exceed the limits it should. This condition is known as insulin overdose.
Symptoms of a side effect of this one insulin injection are a drastic decrease in blood sugar levels, aka hypoglycemia. This condition can trigger hypoglycemic shock.
The causes of hypoglycemia are quite diverse, including:
- Too much insulin was injected.
- Wrong type of insulin used.
- Insulin is more often injected into the muscle than under the skin.
If the carbohydrates consumed by the patient do not meet daily needs, without reducing the insulin dose, the risk of hypoglycemia can increase.
This condition should not be underestimated. The reason, in serious cases of overdose can cause death.
Also Read: Why do diabetics sweat more easily?
6. Insulin resistance
Insulin injections should be able to help stabilize the amount of insulin in the body so that its function to control blood sugar can be fulfilled. Unfortunately, in some conditions, the body cannot respond to the insulin. This condition is one of the side effects of long-term insulin injections.
So, those are some of the side effects of injecting insulin that diabetics should know about. In order to use it safely and bring the expected benefits, talk to your doctor about the proper dosage and use.
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- Anonymous. Benefits and side effects of insulin. https://www.ndss.com.au/about-diabetes/resources/find-a-resource/starting-insulin-booklet/benefits-and-side-effects-of-insulin/. (Accessed January 23, 2023).
- Anonymous. Insulin Overdose (Accidental). https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/treating-your-diabetes/insulin/insulin/accidental-overdose. (Accessed January 23, 2023).
- Anonymous. 2022. Diabetic Hypoglycemia. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-hypoglycemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20371525. (Accessed January 23, 2023).
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- Gentile, Sandro, et al. 2016. Lipodystrophy in Insulin-Treated Subjects and Other Injection-Site Skin Reactions: Are We Sure Everything is Clear? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5014793/. (Accessed January 23, 2023).
- Stines, Yvelette, Stines. 2021. What Is Hypoglycemic Shock? https://www.verywellhealth.com/hypoglycemic-shock-5179171. (Accessed January 23, 2023).
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