Insulin Reaction Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of insulin reaction include the following:

Mild

• Hunger



• Warmness

Moderate

• Sweating



• Trembling



• Anxiety



• High heart rate, pounding heart



• Headache

Severe

• Dizziness



• Confusion



• Difficulty concentrating



• Hyperactive, bizarre, or psychotic behavior



• Unconsciousness



• Tremors, seizures



• Signs suggesting stroke such as one-sided weakness and slurred speech

Some people with insulin-dependent diabetes experience nighttime (nocturnal) hypoglycemia. Signs and symptoms of nocturnal hypoglycemia include depression, difficulty waking in the morning, early morning headaches or irritability, night sweats, and increased appetite and weight gain. In nocturnal hypoglycemia, the blood sugar level upon awaking may be elevated as a result of the body's attempt to compensate for the low blood sugar level several hours before. This is sometimes called the Somogyi phenomenon. Attempts to lower the morning glucose level may result in a paradoxical worsening of the problem.

Onset of signs and symptoms is generally sudden and within a few hours after injection of short-acting insulin. Onset may occur many hours after injection of long-acting insulin preparations, and an insulin reaction may be more difficult to notice.