Insulin.
Insulin is an essential hormone which controls the blood glucose  level
and it is produced in the pancreas gland. Insulin helps glucose to be used for energy
release.
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce
insulin. Therefore, insulin must be taken in by injections or other insulin devices.
In type 2 diabetes, pancreas usually produces plenty
of insulin at least at the early stages. In this case, the problem is nor the lack of the
hormone in the blood but the inability of the cells to use insulin properly and transform
glucose to energy.
The main aftermaths of this situation are two. First, the blood glucose level rises with all the damaging
diabetes complications to follow. Second, the
pancreas, being in an insulin abundance situation, gets constant nerve signals not to
produce any more of the hormone. Eventually, within a few years the production stops and
the insulin must be provided by technical means.
Insulin cannot be taken as a pill because it is a protein and if it was taken orally, the body would break
it down and digest it before the hormone manages to get into the blood stream.
The side-effects of excessive amounts of insulin are hypoglycemia and weight gain.
Frequency of insulin intake.
Most patients with diabetes need at least two insulin injections a day for effective
blood glucose control. Some people take three or four shots of lower dose, during the
day. This aims to keep blood glucose in a more stable level without significant
fluctuations.
Regular insulin alone or in combination with longer-acting insulin should be taken
fifteen to thirty minutes before a meal. Rapid-acting insulin must be taken just before
meal time.
Types of insulin.
A lot of people combine two types of insulin. Each of them works at different speed.
Apart from the type, the speed depends on the injected area, the person's physical
fitness and the interval of time between the injection and any exercise session preceded.
Medical preparations of insulin are rarely just insulin water-solutions. Clinical
products are specially prepared mixtures of insulin plus other substances. The latest
delay absorption of the insulin and adjust the pH of the solution to reduce reactions at the
injection site.
Recent products from the major suppliers, such as Aventis and Eli
Lilly, include the so-called insulin analog
versions. In these preparations, the insulin molecules are slightly modified so they
can be absorbed either rapidly enough to mimic real beta cell insulin or steadily after
injection. In the first case, a peak occurs, followed by a rapid decline of insulin
action, whereas the second option provides gradual insulin supply and more stable action.
The Eli Lilly's version is the Insulin
Humalog, the Aventis' one is the Insulin
Glargine and the Insulin Detemir is the Novo Nordisk's version.
The type, dose and the frequency of the insulin intake must be determined by an
experienced medical professional and should be followed faithfully on behalf of the
patient.
About Exubera. Recently, a combined
effort on behalf of Aventis and Pfizer has resulted in the development of a revolutionary
product, called “Exubera”. This is an inhaler, containing short-acting
insulin, and it seems to be effective in both types of diabetes. Try the following link,
in order to be guided how to find Exubera
online.
Where insulin to be injected.
Insulin is absorbed fast, if injected into the subcutaneous tissue between the skin
and the muscle in the abdominal area. The absorption is moderate, if the hormone is
delivered into the arm and low, when injected into the thigh.
Storage of insulin.
Insulin brakes down in extreme temperatures. Thus, it should never be kept or left in
a freezer or a car's clove compartment, when the weather is hot. A bottle of insulin can
be kept in room temperature, providing it is intended to be consumed within maximum a
month's time. Otherwise, the bottle must be kept in the fridge.
It is strongly recommended extra insulin to be stored in a fridge all the time.
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