Insulin and How it Works in Diabetes?

Posted on June 27, 2007 in Latest News

For all those struggling to understand diabetes, the first step is to appreciate how the human body uses the hormone called insulin to handle glucose. Glucose is a simple sugar that is the main source of energy for insulin. When diabetes occurs, it is attributed to the body not producing adequate insulin or the concerned individual is not sensitive to it. This results in the body producing greater levels of blood glucose, which act on many organs to produce the symptoms of diabetes.

Understanding how insulin works: the first steps towards managing diabetes
Knowing how insulin affects the blood sugar can help persons with diabetes to effectively manage their condition. Those with type1 diabetes (and certain cases type2 diabetes) might need insulin injections to manage the glucose levels. Women with gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes occurring during pregnancy) may also require insulin injections. Insulin therapy is corrective in nature when followed in a controlled and regularized way. It can help in managing blood sugar levels and help prevent complications arising from diabetes.

Goals of Insulin therapy:

Treatment plan for insulin dependent persons
Medical experts consider the individual’s lifestyle, body weight, diet patterns and physical exercise routines when they set out to develop an insulin management plan. All these are factors affecting blood sugar and need to be studied to determine how much insulin the body may need.

Digesting facts: Insulin and its working pattern
Insulin works to keep the amount of sugar in the bloodstream within a normal range.After consuming food, sugar and nutrients enter the bloodstream and the body digests food. The nutrients that affect the sugar levels in the bloodstream include carbohydrates, protein and fats with carbohydrates affecting it the most. During the digestive process, these carbohydrates break down into sugar and enter the bloodstream in the form of glucose. The pancreas responds to this rise in glucose levels by producing insulin. Insulin in the bloodstream is important as it allows sugar (the body’s main energy supply) into the body’s tissues. Additionally, insulin affects the liver, which is a vital organ in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Insulin levels may be high after eating as the liver accepts and stores extra sugar in the form of glycogen. The low insulin levels between meals, however, is due to the liver releasing the extra sugar/glycogen into the bloodstream, which keeps blood sugar levels within a narrow and normal range. Insulin injections taken by diabetics after consultation and diet planning can effectively help to manage blood sugar (glucose) levels and prevent complications (like blindness, nerve, kidney damage) that can arise due to excessive sugar levels in the bloodstream.

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Comments

4 Responses to “Insulin and How it Works in Diabetes?”

  1. Glenda Cubit Says:
    September 3rd, 2007 at 9:20 am

    I am a diabetic, I am trying to understand how insulin shots work. If your sugar, lets say is 210 how do you determine the amount of insulin to take to lower it. I do have a doctor, however, they don’t explain it real well. I want to take good care of myself and I know I can if I know how it works. Thank you for your support. Glenda

  2. Administrator Says:
    September 11th, 2007 at 9:19 am

    Dear Glenda,

    We are not experts in Daiabetic care. We provide information on Daibetes and various treatment options for Daibetes. Thanks

  3. Louise Says:
    November 1st, 2007 at 11:29 am

    ok here’s the thing i needed info for my work i did’nt help!!!!!

  4. Louise Says:
    November 1st, 2007 at 11:29 am

    ok here’s the thing i needed info for my work i did’nt help!!!!!

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