Is long-term insulin injection harmful to the body?

For diabetic patients, long-term insulin injections are required. Although it can treat diabetes and control the disease, long-term insulin injections have a relatively large impact on the body. It can easily cause patients to experience hypoglycemia and can also have adverse effects on subcutaneous fat, especially the injection site, which can cause skin fat atrophy, etc. It also has a relatively large impact on vision.

Is long-term insulin injection harmful to the body?

1. Hypoglycemia reaction

This is the most common side effect of insulin. It is generally caused by relatively excessive insulin dosage, failure to eat on time, liver and kidney dysfunction, and defective blood sugar response. In order to avoid hypoglycemia during the use of insulin, it is necessary to start with a small dose, closely monitor blood sugar, and gradually adjust the amount of insulin so that the amount of insulin gradually reaches the appropriate dose that can satisfactorily control blood sugar without causing hypoglycemia. Diabetic patients who take insulin must eat on time after injecting insulin, and the amount of meals and activities must also be fixed. If they do not eat on time after injecting insulin, or engage in strenuous exercise after injecting insulin, hypoglycemia may occur. Diabetic patients who inject insulin must carry candies, biscuits and other foods with them so that they can treat themselves in time when hypoglycemia occurs.

2. Subcutaneous fat dystrophy

Long-term use of non-purified insulin or long-term injection in one area may cause subcutaneous fat atrophy. This occurs in patients who have been using animal insulin for a long time, and is more likely to occur if the patient uses animal insulin and injects it in one place for a long time.

3. Local bruises

Some patients find that bruises appear on the local skin at the injection site after injecting insulin. In fact, this phenomenon not only occurs after insulin injection, but may also occur after injection of other drugs. It turns out that local bruising after injection is not caused by drugs or insulin, but is related to capillary damage caused by injection. Generally, this type of bruise can be absorbed quickly and does not require special treatment. To prevent local bruising, apply pressure to the injection site for a few seconds immediately after the injection.

4. Refractive error

It mainly occurs in diabetic patients in the early stages of insulin use and whose blood sugar levels are higher before insulin use. We have already mentioned the causes of refractive error. This side effect is temporary. As the insulin is used for a longer period of time and blood sugar is controlled smoothly, this side effect will gradually disappear.

5. Insulin allergy

Found in animal insulin and non-purified insulin, it is divided into local and systemic allergies. Local allergy is limited to maculopapular itching at the injection site and surrounding areas. Systemic allergy can cause urticaria, allergic purpura, and in rare severe cases, anaphylactic shock. Allergic reactions may occur during initial use, after one month of use, or when users resume use after a period of discontinuation.