Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

diabetic shock
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
due to excessive use of insulin or other glucose-low-
ering medications to lower the blood sugar level in
diabetic patients. Symptoms include a sweet, chemi-
cal odor on the patient’s breath that is similar to that
of acetone or alcohol (acetone breath); fatigue,
lightheadedness, or fainting; and reddening of the
skin in Caucasian patients or darkening of the skin
in patients with darker skin. Immediate treatment
involves administration of glucose in a prescription
sublingual form or in the form of hard candy or cake
frosting if nothing else is available. Patients with dia-
betes and their families should learn the early warn-
ing signs of diabetic shock and carry glucose tablets
for emergency use. The treatment includes glucagon
given by intramuscular injection. Glucagon causes
the release of glucose from the liver, and should be
part of the emergency kit of a diabetic, especially if
the patient uses insulin. Families and friends of those
with diabetes should be taught how to administer
glucagon, because obviously the patients will not be
able to do it themselves in an emergency situation.
Changes in diet, medication, or insulin administra-
tion can then be made to prevent future episodes.
Also known as an insulin reaction or insulin shock.
See also 
insulin reaction.
diabulimia
The practice of minimizing one’s
insulin dosages by patients with type 1 diabetes mel-
litus in an attempt to control body weight. Since
insulin encourages fat storage, sometimes patients
attempt to manipulate their insulin, often skipping
doses, in an attempt to reduce weight gain. The term
does not refer to a recognized medical condition
but to a practice recognized by diabetes experts.
Diabulimia is most common in young girls and
women with type 1 diabetes.