Insulin therapy is often an important part of diabetes
treatment. Understand the key role insulin plays in managing your blood sugar,
and the goals of insulin therapy. What you learn can help you prevent diabetes
complications.
The role of insulin
in the body
It may be easier to understand the importance of
insulin therapy if you understand how insulin normally works in the body and
what happens when you have diabetes.
·
Regulate sugar in
your bloodstream. The
main job of insulin is to keep the level of sugar in the bloodstream within a
normal range. After you eat, carbohydrates break down into sugar and enter the
bloodstream in the form of glucose, a sugar that serves as a primary source of
energy. Normally, the pancreas responds by producing insulin, which allows
sugar to enter the tissues.
·
Storage of excess
glucose for energy. After
you eat — when insulin levels are high — excess glucose is stored in the liver
in the form of glycogen. Between meals — when insulin levels are low — the
liver releases glycogen into the bloodstream in the form of sugar. This keeps
blood sugar levels within a narrow range.
If your pancreas secretes little or no insulin (type 1
diabetes), or your body doesn't produce enough insulin or has become resistant
to insulin's action (type 2 diabetes), the level of sugar in your bloodstream
increases because it's unable to enter cells. Left untreated, high blood sugar
can lead to complications such as blindness, nerve damage (neuropathy) and
kidney damage.
The goals of insulin therapy
If you have type 1 diabetes, insulin
therapy replaces the insulin your body is unable to produce. Insulin therapy is
sometimes needed for type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes when other
therapies have failed to keep blood glucose levels within the desired range. If
your doctor says that you need insulin therapy, take the recommendation
seriously. Insulin therapy can prevent diabetes complications by helping keep
your blood sugar within your target range.
Your treatment plan
·
Type and amount of insulin. There are several types of insulin
available that vary in how quickly and how long they can control blood sugar.
Frequently your doctor may recommend more than one type of insulin. To
determine which types of insulin you need and how much you need, your doctor
will consider several factors. These include the type of diabetes you have,
your glucose levels, how much your blood sugar fluctuates throughout the day
and your lifestyle.
·
Insulin delivery options. Insulin is injected underneath your
skin, often several times a day. You may choose among syringes, injection pens
or an insulin pump that provides a continuous infusion of insulin through a
catheter underneath your skin.
Insulin therapy can be demanding, but it
doesn't have to dictate your life. By choosing a program that fits your needs
and lifestyle, you can prevent diabetes complications and lead an active,
healthy life.
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