What is insulin?
Many medications are used to manage diabetes, but the one that most people have heard about it insulin.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. In people who have diabetes, the pancreas does not produce any or enough insulin, or is unable to effectively use the insulin it does produce. As a result, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, potentially leading to serious health problems such as blindness, heart disease, kidney problems, amputation, nerve damage and erectile dysfunction.Insulin and type 1 diabetes
People with type 1 diabetes do not naturally produce any insulin. As a result, they need to take insulin every day.
Insulin and type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be able to keep your blood glucose levels in your target range through healthy eating, physical activity and by taking diabetes medication. Ask your doctor to refer you to a registered dietitian to learn about healthy eating. You should follow Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide, which includes limiting the amount of fat you eat.
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, however, and over time some people with type 2 diabetes will need to use insulin to properly manage blood glucose.
You may feel guilty or as if you have failed because you must now take insulin. You may be nervous at the thought of having to take insulin injections every day. Please don’t!
A number of factors may have contributed to you needing to take insulin. For example, your body may have lost its ability to make or use insulin effectively, or your diabetes medications may no longer be effective for you.
The most important thing is to manage your diabetes and prevent complications. If you’re nervous about learning to inject insulin, take heart – even young children can master this skill with practice. As well, modern injection devices, such as insulin pens, are virtually painless.
Types of insulin
When insulin was first made available for people with diabetes, there was only one kind: short-acting insulin, which required several injections a day. Today, many different types of insulins are available, offering more flexibility in the number and timing of injections you may need and making it easier for you to maintain your target blood glucose levels. You may need one or more injections a day for optimal management of your blood glucose.
Insulins differ by their duration of action (how long they work), their onset of action (how quickly they start working) and when their action peaks (when they are most effective). By understanding how your insulin works, you can time your meals, snacks and activity levels accordingly.
If you take insulin, you need to monitor your blood glucose levels regularly. Regular monitoring is the best way to keep your blood glucose levels in their target range. Regular checks also give you important information about how your blood glucose levels vary during the day, how much insulin you need and if you’re on track in managing your diabetes.
When prescribing an insulin regimen, your doctor will consider several factors, including your treatment goals, age, lifestyle, meal plan, general health, risk and awareness of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia), and motivation. Social and financial factors may also be considered. There is no ‘one size fits all’ plan.
Your healthcare team will talk with you about the best insulin plan to meet your needs. Remember, it will take time to fine-tune your insulin regimen, which may change over time depending on life events (such as a major illness) and changes in your lifestyle (such as a new exercise plan).
Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator if you have any questions or concerns about your insulin regimen, or if you aren’t sure how to handle certain situations, such as adjusting your insulin when travelling.
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