Final answer:
Insulin shock refers to severe hypoglycemia featuring extremely low blood sugar that can lead to life-threatening circulatory shock, exhibiting symptoms like confusion and rapid heartbeat.
Step-by-step explanation:
Insulin shock is basically very severe hypoglycemia, in which the patient has too little sugar in the blood. This condition is a form of circulatory shock due to an extreme drop in blood glucose levels, leading to insufficient glucose availability to cells that can cause muscle weakness, and in severe cases, unconsciousness or death if left untreated. Diabetics, especially those with type I diabetes who take insulin, are at risk for insulin shock if they have an overdose of insulin or inadequate food intake. Circulatory shock, more broadly, is when the circulatory system is unable to supply enough blood flow to provide adequate oxygen and nutrients to the tissues to maintain cellular metabolism. Symptoms of insulin shock may include confusion, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.