The Importance Of Insulin In Diabetes Management

Insulin injections are sometimes misunderstood as being damaging to the human body and potentially addicting if used on a regular basis. Insulin, on the other hand, is a natural hormone that is required for the proper functioning of the body!

 Consultant Endocrinologist at Sitaram Bhartia Hospital in South Delhi, addresses some common misunderstandings and questions about this subject.

Insulin: What Is It and What Does It Do in the Body?

Insulin is one of the protein hormones generated by the pancreas, and it is responsible for pushing glucose from our meals into our cells. It's crucial for the cells to use this glucose and get the energy they need to function.

Throughout the day, the pancreas normally secretes a tiny quantity of insulin called basal insulin. More insulin is released into the bloodstream in addition to the basal quantity to manage the glucose levels that rise with each meal.

Insulin and Diabetes: Is There a Link?

People with diabetes may be dealing with a variety of insulin-related difficulties, including:

• Inadequate insulin — Insufficient insulin production in the body, as seen by the absence of any post-meal insulin surges.
  
• Insulin deficiency - Absence of insulin in the body to the point where even basal secretion is absent.
• Insulin resistance is defined as a reduced/inadequate response of insulin to glucose intake, to the point that even high levels of insulin in the blood are unable to perform their function.

"The impact of diabetes on your daily life is determined on the type of diabetes you have. "Type 1 diabetes is defined by a complete lack of insulin, whereas Type 2 diabetes is characterised by an inefficient or inadequate response of insulin to glucose.

It's worth noting that one of the best strategies to improve insulin sensitivity is to maintain a consistent lifestyle and boost daily physical activity.

What are the Different Insulin Types?

It is critical for people who are prescribed insulin to understand the type of insulin they should use, the role or function of insulin in relation to meals, and the duration of effect. This is crucial so that they can make proper dosage adjustments as needed and avoid hypoglycemia under all circumstances.

Insulin can be classified into the following categories based on how long it takes for it to work:

1. Insulin that starts working within 15 minutes of injection and lasts for 3-4 hours is known as rapid-acting insulin.
2. Short-acting insulin: This type of insulin starts working 30 minutes after injection and can be used to meet insulin needs during meals. Its activity lasts for about 5-6 hours.
3. Intermediate-acting insulin has an average action time of 8 to 12 hours.
4. Long-acting insulin: Because it operates for 24-42 hours, long-acting insulin can be administered to replenish basal secretions that may be missing in some diabetics.

What Is the Best Place to Inject Insulin?

"During the initial consultations, we normally advise our patients on the optimal place for insulin injections. It's a good idea to switch up your injection sites, and you'll be urged to create a pattern that spans different parts of your body."

• Injections are most effective in the following areas:
• Thigh – the upper and outside section of the mid-thigh, leaving a 3-finger width around the umbilicus
• The top and back of the arms

Insulin Storage Advice

Insulin should be stored at a temperature of 2-8° C, and it should never be exposed to temperatures above 30° C.

Insulin should never be allowed to freeze because it risks losing its effectiveness. Keep in mind that the insulin should be discarded after 28 days of opening the cartridge.

"At home, we recommend putting insulin in the refrigerator doors. If you're going on a trip, keep the insulin in an ice pack with you. If you need to travel for an extended period of time, put it in a thermos with an ice pack, especially if refrigeration is not accessible."

What are some of the dangers of using insulin?

Potential dangers associated with insulin consumption are the most prevalent question. Before you start using insulin, keep the following in mind:

• Hypoglycemia

Your frequent insulin dosages can start to harm your health as it lowers your blood sugars if you skip meals or have inconsistent meal timings. This can be readily controlled by controlling the timing of your meals. If you're experiencing hypoglycemia symptoms like palpitations, tremors, or dizziness, try the 'rule of 15,' which involves eating or drinking 15 grammes of sugar, relaxing for 15 minutes, and then monitoring your glucose levels.

• Weight increase that is excessive

Please keep in mind that weight gain occurs only when individuals are on extremely high insulin levels. Small doses of insulin will not have a significant impact on your weight. Furthermore, some people's fear of hypoglycemia can lead to binge eating, which can lead to weight gain.

Sitting in for proper counselling with one of our Diabetes Educators will help you avoid gaining weight that you don't need. A healthy BMI is largely influenced by a balanced diet and regular exercise.

• Injection procedures that are ineffective

Before injecting the insulin, make sure the injection site is free of lumps and discolouration. Lipohypertrophy can be caused by repeated shots in the same location or the use of the same needle several times (LH). This causes lumps to grow beneath the skin, rendering the area unsuitable for additional injections.

"Insulin is frequently recommended as a treatment plan for patients with renal or hepatic problems - even pregnant women with gestational diabetes (GDM) are urged to take insulin rather than oral medications!" Because insulin is the safest alternative, its use should not be a cause for concern," .

"We make our patients take the first insulin shot in front of us every time." This allows us to make sure they're utilising the correct approach, and if they need any support or have any concerns, we can address them right away."