Insulin therapy is one the most important forms of treatment for type I and type II diabetes patients.  Insulin plays a key role in helping manage blood sugar levels through the appropriate dose of insulin to prevent the onset of any complications from diabetes.

Insulin has two main roles to play in our body, and understanding how insulin works will help you understand how delicate and intricate insulin therapy can be in treatment diabetes. The two main functions of insulin produced in the body are firstly, to regulate the blood sugar (glucose) levels in your bloodstream; and second, to help with the storage of excess glucose for energy.

If you are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, it means that your pancreas produces very little to no insulin. While type 2 diabetes occurs when your insulin secretion is too high or your body develops a resistance to the action of insulin. These diabetes types cause an imbalance in the glucose levels in your bloodstream because they are not able to enter the cells. When you leave these conditions untreated, you end up with severe complications, such as nerve damage, kidney damage, and even blindness.

What are the goals of insulin therapy?

Insulin therapy is more effective for those with type 1 diabetes because it aids with the regulation of sugar levels, and in some cases of type 2 diabetes to control the blood sugar within the target range.

The treatment plan for insulin varies from individual to individual and is based on a few important criteria, namely:

• The type and amount of insulin needed, and
• The insulin delivery option that the individual prefers

There are quite a number of different varieties of insulin readily available in the medical markets, and each of them has their own distinct reaction time as well as the amount of control. In some cases, doctors recommend their patients combine 2 types of insulin for the treatment to be effective. The factors that decide the type of insulin being prescribed for use will depend upon the following:

• The type of diabetes the patient has (type I or type II diabetes)
• Blood sugar levels
• The fluctuation of the blood sugar levels over the course of a few days

Insulin is usually injected right under the skin, on a frequency basis each day based on the doctor’s prescription. The choice of instruments can be syringes or injection pens, or can even be prescribed as an injection pump, which is used to provide a continuous infusion of insulin via a catheter under the skin.

While insulin does not cure you of diabetes, it is the proven method to keep your blog sugar levels under check without resulting in major complications. It is important that you go to your doctor for periodic review as insulin doses can change over a period of time and you may not be taking the right amount.  While insulin treatments can be demanding on your life, you can also support your diabetes and reduce symptoms by opting for a healthy lifestyle and diet.