Insulin Treatment
Insulin is a crucial hormone for maintaining proper blood sugar levels. Most people with Type 1 Diabetes, and some with Type 2, need insulin therapy, which can be administered in various ways.
Before examining the various methods of insulin treatment, we must understand what role insulin plays in the body. The duty of insulin is to maintain a normal blood glucose level by converting glucose into glycogen, a storable form of sugar. In Type 1 Diabetes, the pancreas produces little to no insulin, rendering a person unable to maintain a healthy blood glucose level. In patients with Type 2 Diabetes, insulin production is either too low or the body builds a resistance to insulin. In both of these, insulin treatment can help ensure a safe blood glucose level and prevent dangerous side affects of diabetes.
Insulin Injections
- Fine needles or syringes can be used to administer insulin in the fatty layer beneath the skin
- Injections should consistently be given in the same are of the body
- People suffering from Type 1 Diabetes usually start with 1 or 2 injections a day and progress to 3 or 4
- Often times a single injection of insulin a day is enough for those suffering from Type 2 Diabetes
- A healthy insulin regiment can effectively 1 prevent the onset of further diabetes complications
Insulin Pen
- Insulin pens administer the hormone in a similar way to syringe injections
- The pens are loaded with prefilled cartridges of insulin, making them more convenient
- Disposable pens are also available, which makes insulin treatment on the go less of a hassle
- A disadvantage of insulin pens is that you are unable to mix different types of insulin, requiring multiple pen injections 2
Insulin Pump
- Pump therapy provides an easy way to administer insulin 24 hours a day
- Insulin is delivered through a catheter that is inserted beneath the skin
- Insulin is administered both as a steady, continuous dose and manually in surges around mealtimes
- Insulin pumps are a convenient way of delivering the hormone and also closely mimics the way the human body normally releases insulin
- Pumps are also waterproof and can be attached to your waste, in your pocket, or in a pump case
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In addition to the various methods of administering insulin, there are also various types of insulin. These different types of insulin vary in:
Onset– the amount of time before the insulin takes effect
Peak– when the insulin achieves maximum effectiveness
Duration– how long the insulin is effective for
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The chart below provides you with information on the different types of insulin as well as some of the generic names for them. With these multiple options available, insulin therapy can be customized to best fit an individual. Type of diabetes, lifestyle, and blood sugar fluctuation of an individual can be used to evaluate the proper insulin treatment.
| Insulin type | Generic and brand names | Onset | Peak | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid-acting | Insulin aspart (NovoLog)Insulin glulisine (Apidra)Insulin lispro (Humalog) | 15 minutes | 30 to 90 minutes | 3 to 5 hours |
| Short-acting | Insulin regular (Humulin R, Novolin R) | 30 to 60 minutes | 2 to 4 hours | 5 to 8 hours |
| Intermediate-acting | Insulin NPH human (Humulin N, Novolin N) | 1 to 3 hours | 8 hours | 12 to 16 hours |
| Long-acting | Insulin glargine (Lantus)Insulin detemir (Levemir) | 1 hour | No clear peak | 20 to 26 hours |
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1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/momboleum/3583790772/
2. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Insulin_pen_2.JPG
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Insulin_pump_with_infusion_set.jpg
4. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/insulin/DA00091
