Islets of Hope treatment options for persons with diabetes
Article by Lahle Wolfe
More Insulin Information
Diabetes Treatment & Management
Diabetes Type 1
Betty Page Brackenridge
Did you know?
... that excessive amounts of caffeine can mimic the symptoms of hypoglycemia? You may feel like you are low even though your blood glucose is in a normal range. In children, this may even cause a slight rebound effect by triggering the liver to release glycogen into the blood stream.
... that caffeine also increases the production of adrenaline which can also cause, or make hypoglycemia worse?
... that moderate amounts of caffeine may increase hypoglycemia sense of awareness?
Links about caffeine and hypoglycemia
Dissociation of augmented physiological, hormonal and cognitive
responses to hypoglycaemia with sustained caffeine use. The influence of caffeine on hypoglycemic sympto- matic awareness depended upon
the duration of the hypoglycemic stimulus. At onset, symptoms were more intense
in caffeine- withdrawn state ( P <0.01); however, with increasing duration of
hypoglycaemia, symptom intensity was greater in caffeine-replete condition ( P
<0.05). Thus previous caffeine consumption influences the physiological and
symptomatic responses to acute hypoglycaemia, but complete tolerance does not
develop with sustained use.
Did you know?
...that taking a bath or shower or soaking in a hot tub soon after taking a shot of insulin can cause hypoglycemia? Blood vessels in the skin dilate from the hot water and cause insulin to be rapidly absorbed.
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Insulin reactions: allergies, drug interactions, insulin shock, and
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Insulin shock is a term used to describe severe hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) usually resulting from administering too much insulin, or, from not eating enough food to cover a food bolus of insulin. Other things can also contribute to hypoglycemia (see Causes of Hypoglycemia).
Read about Insulin Shock in detail; it's symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention.
Allergic Reactions to Insulin, Buffering Agents and Latex
Allergic reactions to animal insulins are not uncommon, however, a true allergy to the new synthetic human insulin is rare. What is more likely, however, still not common, is an allergic reaction to buffering agents in longer-acting insulin.
Call your doctor if any of the following symptoms develop:
My daughter Elizabeth was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 4. Only a few days into shot therapy she began to raise angry red welts all over her body almost immediately after shots. There was no choice but to continue giving her insulin shots so her doctor added Bendryl to her diabetes care plan; it didn't work. In addition to the welts, a few days later she began wheezing (she never had asthma prior to this occasion).
Since Elizabeth was taking two type of insulin, regular and long-acting, her doctor took her off the long-acting insulin as well as switched her to non-latex syringes in case it was an allergy to latex. After a few days on only regular insulin, her reaction cleared up.
When her reaction subsided, her doctor then added another brand of long-acting back into her routine her allergic reaction immediately returned. In the end, it became apparent that Elizabeth was allergic to a buffering agent, not insulin, and was put on an insulin pump almost immediately in order to avoid 8 shots a day on only regular insulin.
When a person has a true allergy to insulin there are basically three things that can be tried:
If you experience allergic reactions after taking insulin, it is important that you report it immediately to your doctor because reactions tend to get worse over time and can result in anaphylactic shock or death. But take heart knowing it is more likely that the reaction was to an agent other than insulin or even perhaps to latex (found in bandages, syringes, and the rubber stopper on most vials of insulin). Some people are even allergic to the adhesives and adhesive removers applied to the skin to hold insulin pump canulas in place.
If you are allergic to latex, you can switch to latex-free syringes, and one company (at least in 2004) manufactures latex-free insulin stoppers. If the culprit is a buffering agent found in longer-acting insulin, talk to your doctor about going on an insulin pump so that you can take rapid insulin via the pump and avoid having to take shots every couple of hours.
Things that increase insulin sensitivity or increase insulin absorption rate
Many things can increase insulin sensitivity, or increase the absorption rate of insulin:
Bathing too soon after taking insulin can cause hypoglycemia
Bathing and hot tubs can increase the rate of insulin absorption because hot water increases circulation in the body and can cause temporary increase in insulin absorption. For this reason, it is important to time shots and insulin boluses (via a pump) so that you don't give insulin and hop right into the tub. Taking hot baths immediately following injections can cause insulin to be absorbed more rapidly and may result in hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).
Try to wait 1-2 hours after injecting (or bolusing with a pump) insulin before bathing. This is especially important for small children who are more likely to experience an increase in body temperature from bathing which can result in severe hypoglycemia.
Things that decrease insulin sensitivity or rate of absorption
Metabolic Insulin Resistance
When a person is insulin resistant, as in the case of most persons with type 2 diabetes, they create insulin, but do not respond to insulin normally. A person who is insulin resistant may have perfectly normal blood glucose levels but also be overproducing insulin in order to maintain normal levels. Excessive production on insulin is called "hyperinsulinemia." If you are being checked for type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or any other disorder where an oral glucose tolerance test is being administered ask your doctor to check your insulin levels at the same time blood glucose is checked.
Other Factors That Can Decrease Insulin Action
There are many things that can make a person resistant (less sensitive) to insulin:
For persons on insulin, factors that can make you less sensitive to the effects of insulin include:
While uncommon, persons with type 1 diabetes can also have a combination that includes type 2 diabetes. This form of combination diabetes calls for the person to take insulin (type 1) but they are resistant to it (type 2) even when taken by injection.
Drugs that Can Interact with, or, Affect Insulin
Check with your doctor or pharmacist about a possible interaction if other medicines are prescribed for you.
Page Updated 03/12/2006