Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar-also called glucose in the blood. People with diabetes may not have enough insulin or not being able to use it properly. Therefore, sugar accumulates in the blood and overflows into the urine, leaving the body without any use. Thus, deprives you of an important source of energy.
All people with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes need to take insulin to control their blood sugar in the blood. In type 1 diabetes your body does not produce any insulin. In type 2 diabetes your body does not produce enough insulin or use it properly.
The goal of taking insulin is to maintain the maximum possible level of blood sugar within normal limits, so you can stay healthy. Over time, high levels of blood sugar can cause serious health problems such as blindness and kidney failure.
Insulin can not be taken by mouth. This, usually administered by injection. Can also be administered by a pump. Probably going to be available as a nasal spray or in other forms.
Your doctor will work with you to develop a schedule that works for you. Most people with diabetes who take insulin need at least 2 daily insulin injections to achieve good control of blood sugar. Some people need 3 or 4 shots a day.
Should I monitor my blood sugar level in blood? Yes, if you do not already monitor their level of blood sugar, you should learn how. Your doctor will teach you.
Your doctor will discuss with you when and how to receive insulin. The treatment for each person is different. Some people who use regular insulin or a longer-acting insulin taken 15 to 30 minutes before eating. Other people who use insulin lispro (brand name: Humalog) taken immediately before eating.
Types of Insulin
Quick action, such as insulin lispro, begins to work very quickly between 5 and 15 minutes and lasts for 3 to 4 hours.
Short-acting, such as regular insulin (R), starts working within a span of 30 minutes and lasts between 5 and 8 hours.
Intermediate-acting insulin such as NPH (N) or Lente (L), starts working within 1 to 3 hours after administration and lasts between 16 and 24 hours.
Long-acting insulin as Ultralente (U), not to work for 4 to 6 hours, but lasts 24 to 28 hours. Another long-acting insulin called glargine, starts working within 1 to 2 hours after administration and lasts 24 hours.
Pre-mixed, two types of insulin mixed in one bottle, starts working within 30 minutes and lasts 16 to 24 hours.
The areas that usually inject insulin are the upper arm, the front and side of the thigh and the abdomen (belly). Ask your doctor which place you should use. Insulin injected near the stomach works fastest, while insulin injected into the thigh works slowest. Insulin is injected under the skin at an average speed.
Here are some general tips on the use of insulin:
- Wash your hands.
- Remove the plastic cap covering the insulin bottle and wipe the jar lid with a swab.
- Pull back the plunger, so that it will push air into the same amount of insulin dose – measured in units – to be injected. Insert the syringe needle through the plastic cover from the insulin bottle. Inject air into the bottle by pushing the plunger inward. Turn the bottle upside down.
- Make sure the tip of the needle is on insulin. Pull the plunger of the syringe for the correct dose of insulin in the syringe
- Make sure no air bubbles in the syringe before you remove the needle from the insulin bottle. If air bubbles, hold the syringe and the bottle straight up, tap the syringe with your finger and let the bubbles float to the top of the bottle. Push the plunger to move the bubbles into the insulin bottle. Then withdraw the correct insulin dose by pulling back the plunger.
- Clean your skin with cotton dipped in alcohol. Grasp a fold of skin and inject insulin syringe tilting at an angle of 90 degrees. (If you’re thin, you may need to pinch the skin and inject insulin syringe tilting at an angle of 45 degrees).
If you take too much insulin, their level of blood sugar will drop too much and you may get hypoglycemia, also called insulin reaction. If you have hypoglycemia, you may feel cranky, more tired than usual, confused and shaky, and you may sweat more. In severe cases, may faint or have a seizure. Ask your doctor about treatment of hypoglycemia. Your doctor may suggest that you always carry a snack, such as candy, fruit juice or soda common – not diet to treat hypoglycemia.