Diabetes is becoming increasingly common these days. Almost all of us know at least one person who suffers from diabetes. It is getting more difficult to treat due to a rise in stress levels and deterioration in lifestyle habits. While lifestyle adjustments can considerably aid with diabetes treatment, some people cannot do so. Did you know that insulin injection for diabetes are available for patients who aren’t responding to oral medications?
Insulin injection for diabetes are far more effective than any other kind of treatment available for diabetes. Learn more about insulin, its function in our bodies, and how it maintains our blood sugar levels. Also, know how insulin injection for diabetes helps, what its adverse effects are, and everything about insulin for diabetes below. So grab your healthy beverage and get ready to comprehend what insulin is.
Also, feel free to jump forward if a certain topic piques your interest !!!
1. What is the Role of Insulin in the Body?
The food we eat contains several nutrients, one of which is carbohydrates. Once ingested, the carbohydrates get broken down into glucose (simple sugar). Glucose is needed for energy. Hence, it is crucial for it to reach into the cells of organs for providing the required energy. Blood carries this sugar and helps it to reach its target organ. Insulin is a hormone that aids in the regulation of blood sugar levels which is released by the beta cells of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach.
Insulin helps the sugar in the blood to reach the target cells. Without insulin, glucose does not get absorbed by the cells. Hence, it remains in the bloodstream and makes blood sugar levels high. Thus, insulin is extremely important for the absorption of glucose and maintenance of blood sugar levels.
Once enough glucose is absorbed, any excess of it is stored in the liver as glycogen. When glucose levels in the blood get too low, as in fasting or starvation, insulin levels fall. In this case, another hormone called glucagon causes the release of stored glycogen from the liver, which is broken down into glucose and used by the cells. As a result, insulin and glucagon facilitate the maintenance of stable blood sugar levels in your body. The complete absence of insulin or very little amount of it results in diabetes. Thus, insulin for diabetes management is vital.
2. Why do Patients Take Insulin Injection for diabetes?
Not all diabetic patients take insulin. In general, they are on oral medications. But when the condition is severe, especially in Type 2 diabetes patients, where sugar levels cannot be controlled through medications, insulin injections are needed.
For diabetes injection to work, it is vital that it reaches the bloodstream quickly and helps in the management of the blood sugar level. Oral insulin can get destroyed even before it could reach the bloodstream. Hence, insulin is injected and not given in the oral form. Another reason why insulin injection is taken is to provide an immediate effect. Since it is injected directly into the bloodstream, it begins to function shortly. Hence, diabetic patients take insulin by injection.
Insulin injections give successful results and effectively help in the management of diabetes. One must know that diabetes is incurable and can only be managed. Thus, with a good lifestyle and the aid of insulin injections, one can manage diabetes quite effectively. At times, your doctor may also prescribe you both pills and insulin for diabetes.
3. What are the Different Types of Insulin Injection for Diabetes & its Delivery Option?
In conditions such as diabetes, particularly Type 1 diabetes, the body (pancreas) is unable to produce its insulin, necessitating the use of insulin injection. Several varieties of insulin injections for diabetes are available and they are categorized depending on how rapidly they begin to work and how long their effects last.
There are several forms of insulin available. The doctor recommends one of the following insulin based on the patient’s medical needs.
- Long-acting Insulin
Long-acting insulin meets the insulin requirements throughout the day. This type of insulin needs to be given only once a day as its effects last up to 24 hours. It is advised to inject it when you begin your day or before bed.
- Ultra long-acting Insulin
Ultra long-acting insulin is a modified form of long-acting insulin. It is modified in such a way that no maximum peak of insulin occurs throughout the day. This minimises the risk of low blood sugar levels.
- Intermediate-acting Insulin
Intermediate-acting insulin is usually taken along with rapid-acting insulin. It begins to work within an hour of taking the injection. The effects of intermediate-acting insulin last up to 7 hours.
- Rapid-acting Insulin
As the name suggests, rapid-acting insulin starts showing effects immediately after injection and leaves the system in 2–4 hours. Rapid insulin is usually taken right before a meal to prevent your blood sugar level from soaring.
- Short-acting insulin
Short-acting insulin, also known as regular insulin, meets your insulin needs throughout meals; however, it can be given a little sooner than rapid-acting insulin. It also lasts substantially longer in the body (5–8 hours) than rapid-acting insulin.
Insulin pumps and insulin pens are some of the delivery options in which one can inject any of the above-mentioned insulin.
- Insulin pen
It resembles a pen and is easy to use as it substitutes the vial and syringe. It aids patients with weak vision while also taking care that the patient does not over or under dose themselves.
- Insulin pump
An insulin pump can be used instead of injections. It is a small, computerized gadget that can be worn or carried in one’s pocket. The pump gives a consistent and continuous low (basal) dosage of insulin via a flexible plastic tube connected to the body through the skin. The needle is withdrawn and the cannula (plastic tube) is taped in place. To supply an extra amount of insulin when eating (called a bolus), a button on the pump is available. Thighs, buttocks, abdomen, upper arms and other fatty tissue-rich parts of the body are common locations for insertion.
4. Precautions while Taking Insulin
It is always advisable to take any kind of medication with precautions. While taking insulin for diabetes, you should take the following precautions:
- Ensure that you thoroughly read the instructions provided.
- Check the product for discoloration before using it. Insulin should be clear and transparent. Anything other than this is not safe to use and should be discarded.
- Always ensure that the region of skin where you are injecting is clean.
- After the injection, do not rub the skin.
- Avoid switching the brand of insulin injection for diabetes that has been recommended for you.
- Do not share your insulin injection with anybody since it might result in the spread of HIV, hepatitis, and other blood-borne illnesses.
- Maintain communication with your healthcare practitioner during the first week of insulin treatment.
- Avoid consuming alcohol, cigarettes, and other medications that have not been pre-approved by your healthcare physician.
- Avoid missing your dose and regularly check your blood sugar levels.
5. What are the Side-effects of Taking Insulin?
The side effects of taking insulin injections in diabetics are uncommon. But when they do occur, allergic responses can be severe and constitute a substantial health risk. As every patient’s condition is different and so is their body. Some may experience side effects, while some may not. Following are some of the side effects of diabetes injection one might experience:
- Dizziness
- Blurred eyesight
- Increased heartbeat
- Weakness
- Rashes on skin
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Increase in body weight
- Swelling of extremities
- Anxiety or depression
If you’re side effects continue to prevail and become more serious, immediately contact your healthcare provider who might lower or stop your diabetes injection for some time.
Insulin injections are very safe to use and have minimal risks associated with them. For patients who have severe Type 2 diabetes, insulin injection is a reliable therapy. However, it is highly advised to use insulin for diabetes timely and with the proper dose as prescribed. Overdosing may cause hypoglycemia (a huge drop of blood sugar) which may further alleviate your side effects and cause health risks.
Take Away
Diabetes is an autoimmune condition, hence it cannot be permanently cured. But at Dr Hemi Soneja Clinic, you will get the right suggestions, treatments, and insights. They will not only help you in managing your diabetes properly but also your overall health concerns as well. So, contact Dr Hemi Soneja’s clinic, one of the best and leading clinics that offer comprehensive diabetes treatment in Delhi.
