Insulin

Insulin

Insulin plays a vital role in human metabolism. It converts food into energy and keeps blood sugar levels balanced to sustain life. Our bodies naturally produce the hormone insulin. Everyone needs insulin to function properly, but people with diabetes need it even more because their bodies can't make enough of it or use it well.

When your body lacks insulin, glucose can't enter your cells and stays in your bloodstream instead. This tiny but powerful hormone contains 51 amino acids and helps move glucose from blood into cells throughout your body. Your cells need this glucose to power your daily activities. 

Your type of diabetes determines how insulin therapy helps you. Type 1 diabetes patients need insulin to survive, and many Type 2 diabetes patients might need it as part of their treatment. This article explains what insulin is, how your body uses it, and what types you can use based on your needs.

What is Insulin?

Beta cells in the pancreas create insulin, a naturally occurring hormone. This small but powerful peptide contains 51 amino acids that form two chains connected by disulfide bonds. It acts like a key that opens cell doors and lets glucose enter to provide energy. Your body's cells can't get the fuel they need if there isn't enough insulin, which leaves sugar stuck in the bloodstream.

Insulin Uses

Researchers work hard to create insulin tablets that could help patients avoid painful injections. Latest studies show that these tablets reduced blood glucose levels by a lot for more than five hours. The results were almost as good as injectable insulin. Notwithstanding that, injectable forms remain the standard treatment available today.

How and When to Use Insulin 

Patients use injectable forms while insulin tablets are still under development. Different types of insulin need different timing. Rapid-acting insulin should be taken before meals, and doses depend on carbohydrate intake and current blood glucose readings. Blood sugar monitoring helps determine exact dosing needs.

Side Effects of Insulin 

Common side effects:

• Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) 
• Weight gain during treatment
• Skin reactions at injection sites
• Allergic responses to certain insulin types, though these are rare

Precautions

• Take medicine as your doctor prescribes—don't change the dose or kind without asking your doctor first.
• Test your blood sugar frequently to prevent it from spiking or plummeting.
• Switch your injection sites each time (belly, leg or upper arm). This helps avoid bumps or sore areas on your skin.
• Eat your meals after taking your insulin dose. Not eating after taking insulin can make your blood sugar fall low.
• Don't use old insulin or insulin that gets cloudy. 

How Insulin Works

The pancreas produces insulin, but in diabetes the body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it. Insulin medications serve as a substitute or aid. When insulin enters your body, it lowers your blood sugar by:

• Enabling cells to take in glucose
• Preventing the liver from releasing too much stored sugar
• Lowering high sugar levels after eating

Can I Take Insulin with Other Medicines?

Key interactions are:

• Allergy medicines
• Asthma medications
• Blood pressure medications like beta-blockers
• Certain antibiotics
• Contraceptive pills
• Corticosteroids 
• HIV medicines
• Other diabetes medicine
• Thyroid treatments

Let your doctor know about all medications you take, including herbal supplements, as these combinations need careful monitoring.

Conclusion

Insulin revolutionised diabetes care and continues to save lives today. This remarkable hormone acts as a gatekeeper for cellular energy. It allows glucose to power our bodies instead of building up dangerously in the bloodstream. People with diabetes need insulin therapy daily, and their requirements differ based on whether they have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Each person's insulin therapy needs are different. Meal timing, physical activity, stress levels, and other medications influence how much insulin someone needs. This tailored approach helps people with diabetes lead full, active lives despite their condition. Living with diabetes has its challenges, but modern insulin therapy provides more hope and better health management options than ever before. 

FAQs

1. Is Insulin high risk?

Yes, insulin belongs to the high-risk medication category since wrong usage can lead to severe harm or death. Additionally, it leads to medication errors, adverse events, and hospital stays.

2. How long does insulin take to work?

Each insulin type works differently:

• Rapid-acting: Begins working in 15 minutes, peaks at 1 hour
• Regular/short-acting: Starts in 30 minutes, peaks in 2-3 hours
• Intermediate-acting: Takes 2-4 hours to start working
• Long-acting: Begins working in 2 hours with no peak
• Ultra-long-acting: Takes 6 hours to start working

3. What happens if I miss a dose?

You can take your usual long-term insulin dose if you notice within 2 hours. After 4 hours, you might need to take half your normal dose. Your blood glucose levels need more frequent monitoring since they can rise without insulin. 

4. What happens if I overdose?

An insulin overdose usually leads to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). You might feel confused, sweaty, shaky, anxious, and hungry. Severe cases can cause unconsciousness or seizures. So, you'll need to consume fast-acting carbs like fruit juice, glucose tablets, or honey.

5. What not to take with insulin?

Stay away from medications that cause hypokalemia (low potassium), like certain diuretics. Some medicines can affect your blood glucose levels by a lot. Let your doctor know about all your medications and herbal supplements.

6. Who cannot take insulin?

People who have had allergic reactions to insulin or have insulinoma (insulin-producing tumors) should avoid insulin. Patients with hypokalemia need treatment for their condition before starting insulin.

7. When should I take insulin?

Your insulin type determines the timing. Regular insulin works best 30 minutes before meals, while rapid-acting insulins should be taken right before eating. Sticking to a consistent schedule helps keep your blood glucose levels stable.

8. How many days to take insulin?

People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin throughout their lives. Those with Type 2 diabetes might need it forever if their pills stop working effectively.

9. When to stop insulin?

Stopping insulin abruptly can lead to life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis. Type 1 patients need treatment for life, but some Type 2 patients can reduce or stop insulin through lifestyle changes.

10. Is it safe to take insulin daily?

Taking insulin daily is safe with proper administration. Blood sugar monitoring helps avoid side effects like hypoglycemia.

11. What is the best time to take insulin?

Quick-acting insulin works best right before meals. Regular insulin needs a 30-minute gap before eating.

12. What to avoid when taking insulin?

Using the same injection spot repeatedly leads to tissue hardening. Skipping meals after an insulin dose raises your risk of hypoglycemia.

13. Is insulin safe for the kidneys?

The body's resistance to insulin at the time affects kidney function. Proper insulin therapy helps prevent diabetes from damaging your kidneys.

14. What is the best combination with insulin?

Metformin works well in combination with insulin, resulting in better control compared to using insulin alone.

15. What are the common side effects of insulin?

Common side effects are: 

• Hypoglycemia 
• Weight gain
• Injection site reactions
• Allergic responses (rare)