1. Insulin Basics
Insulin is a necessary protein hormone in the human body. It was the first hormone ever identified and won its discoverers the Nobel Prize in the late 1920s. The pancreas normally produces insulin, and islet cells release it. Insulin attaches to other cells in the body that then absorb glucose, or sugar, from the blood stream and use it for energy. Your body must maintain a specific blood sugar level and insulin is an important part of this process.
2. Insulin Imbalance
Type 1 diabetes is the result of your pancreas not producing any insulin. Type 2 diabetes develops when your pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or your body isn't able to use the insulin correctly. Both types of diabetes result in high blood sugar levels due to the body's inability to convert sugar into energy. Fortunately both types are also treatable. Type 1 requires insulin shots to maintain health sugar levels, while proper diet and exercise usually control Type 2.
3. The Long and Short of It
Originally there was only short-acting insulin available to diabetics who would have to take more shots each day to maintain proper blood sugar levels. Now there are other types including rapid-, intermediate-, long-acting and pre-mixed. A doctor will determine how much and what kind of insulin a patient needs depending on a variety of factors.
4. Getting It In
Presently the only way to take insulin is through injections. Swallowing it won't help because stomach acids destroy insulin before it can reach the blood stream. In 2006 the FDA approved a type of inhaled insulin but due to high costs it is now off the market. If you are taking numerous insulin shots each day you may want to use an insulin pump. This device administers rapid or short-acting insulin as needed through a catheter under your skin, eliminating the need for constant shots. A doctor will determine whether this is a good option for you.
5. Too Much of a Good Thing
An insulin reaction results in very low blood sugar. Having too much insulin in the body, increased exercise, missed or late meals and injecting too much insulin can cause this reaction. Symptoms of an insulin reaction usually occur quickly and range from hunger and trembling to dizziness, confusion and seizures. If you experience any of these symptoms you should seek medical attention.
