Sunday, October 27, 2013

Understanding Insulin Use to Control Diabetes

For a person with diabetes, it is essential they use insulin to control the sugar, or glucose, which is in the blood. Insulin comes from various sources such as pork, or is created genetically. The classification of insulin is done by how quickly it works. This is judged by determining when the highest amount of insulin is in the blood and the period of time that it lasts.
The main types of insulin that are typically used, are as follows:
  • Rapid-acting: Insulin of this type starts to work in a few minutes and can last for up to a few hours.
  • Regular- or short-acting: Insulin of this type can take as much as 30 minutes to reach full potency and can last in the blood stream for approximately three to six hours.
  • Intermediate-acting: This can take two to four hours to take effect, however the effects last for as long as 18 hours.
  • Long-acting: This will take as long as six to ten hours to start working, but typically lasts an entire 24 hours.
It is essential that a person who suffers from diabetes follows their doctor's recommendations for which type of insulin they should use. In some cases, a person will need at least two insulin types to fully control their diabetes. Additionally, there are other medicines that can be added to an insulin regimen if blood sugar is still not fully controlled.
Using Insulin to Control Diabetes
There are two methods for the administering of insulin to a person with diabetes:
1. Subcutaneously: This method is when the insulin is injected directly under the skin.
2. Intravenously: This method injects the insulin directly into the vein and bloodstream.
Insulin injections are typically done with one of the following tools: a needle and syringe, a cartridge system, use of a prefilled pen, or by insulin pump. For quickest absorption, the insulin should be injected into the abdomen.
How Insulin Affects the Body
Insulin is vital for regulating the amount of sugar in the bloodstream as well as storing excess glucose for energy. If a person's pancreas does not secrete the right amounts of insulin, or the body becomes resistant to the action of insulin, the level of sugar in the body will increase. This is due to the fact that it is not able to enter into the body's cells. If this condition is left untreated, there may be additional complications for the person, including hearing loss, blindness, loss of feet, nerve damage or heart attack.
No matter the type of diabetes a person has, whether it's Type 1 or 2, it is essential they follow proper management and control of the disease. This will ensure the person does not develop additional complications with the disorder. Using the right type of insulin is essential for the proper care and management of diabetes. A person's doctor will be able to recommend the type that should be used and how often it should be done. Following these recommendations will enable a person to avoid the complications that diabetes causes.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7970029

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