Insulin Treatments for Diabetes Patients
Health

Insulin Treatments for Diabetes Patients

Diabetes is a disease that impedes the bodily production or response to insulin hormone. This leads to increased glucose levels in the blood and urine due to inadequate carbohydrate metabolism, which is the natural breakdown of foods and the body’s main source of energy. Insulin in a hormone produced in the pancreas, however if diabetes occurs, the patient may produce no insulin on their own (type I diabetes) or cannot absorb glucose at the cellular level (type II diabetes).

While there is no known cure for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, treatment is essential to regulate glucose levels, manage symptoms (i.e., increased thirst and urination, blurred vision, fatigue, irritability, etc.), and prevent associated health issues (i.e., nerve damage, loss of eyesight, infection, etc.). The main treatment for both types of diabetes is insulin therapy, delivered via the following methods:

1. Oral medication
For many diabetes patients, insulin can be taken by oral tablet to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range and reduce associated symptoms. It’s important to follow instructions provided by your doctor closely as far as medication timing and dosage to avoid dangerous blood sugar spikes.

2. Insulin injections
Insulin  treatment may also be prescribed in regular injections to increase and maintain healthy glucose regulation. For this method, insulin is injected directly under the skin (usually in the fatty tissue of the abdomen, arm, or thigh) several times daily. Insulin injections can be delivered via syringe or injection pens.

3. Insulin pumps
Insulin pumps offer an alternative insulin delivery system for patients uncomfortable with self-injections via syringes or pens. This method is used in conjunction with close blood sugar monitoring (carb counting) and provides a continuous insulin infusion via catheter implanted under the patient’s skin.

4. Inhaled insulin
Rather new to the medical market, Afrezza, a type of fast-acting inhaled insulin, was approved in the U.S.  for type I and type II diabetics in adulthood. The drug is inhaled by the patient in the prescribed dosage prior to meals. However, Afrezza doesn’t work for all diabetics who require longer-acting insulin.

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