What can cause an insulin reaction?

An insulin reaction, also known as hypoglycemia, occurs when there is not enough glucose available for the body to use, typically due to an imbalance involving insulin or carbohydrate intake. When a person consumes too little food, especially in conjunction with insulin treatment, the glucose levels in the bloodstream can drop to dangerously low levels, leading to an insulin reaction.

This happens because insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells. If the individual has taken their regular dose of insulin but does not consume enough carbohydrates to match that insulin, the result can be a rapid decrease in blood glucose levels. Symptoms of an insulin reaction can include shakiness, sweating, confusion, irritability, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.

In this context, it is important to understand that while excessive exercise and insulin administration can also influence blood sugar levels, they do so in different ways. Too much exercise can deplete glucose levels quickly, and excessive insulin administration directly raises the risk of hypoglycemia, but it is the inadequate intake of food that most directly leads to a mismatch between insulin and glucose availability, making it a common cause of insulin reactions.