What is the primary complication linked to insulin therapy?

The primary complication linked to insulin therapy is hypoglycemia, which occurs when blood glucose levels drop too low. This can result from various factors, including administering too much insulin, not eating enough carbohydrates after taking insulin, or increased physical activity without adjusting insulin doses.

Hypoglycemia is a significant concern in diabetes management because it can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, sweating, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness or seizures. Patients on insulin therapy must be educated to recognize early signs of hypoglycemia and to have quick-acting sources of glucose available to counteract low blood sugar levels.

While hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, and insulin resistance are important considerations in diabetes management, they are generally not direct complications of insulin therapy itself. Hyperglycemia typically results from insufficient insulin or other factors preventing normal glucose metabolism, ketoacidosis is more commonly linked to Type 1 diabetes when there is a lack of insulin, and insulin resistance evolves over time, particularly in Type 2 diabetes, rather than arising directly from therapy with insulin.