When And Why Do You Need Insulin?
Insulin is an essential hormone that is produced by the pancreas. Insulin helps to break down the food into glucose which is then used as a source of energy by the body. The glucose enters each and every cell of the body to provide energy and keep the body functions running. The major role of insulin is to maintain glucose levels in the body. When glucose levels increase in the body, insulin hormone signals the body to store the excess in the liver, which is used intermittently when glucose levels decrease. Now that we understand the importance of insulin for our body, it is inevitable that its deficiency in the body can lead to serious health issues.
Diabetes is a medical condition where the body produces very little insulin or does not produce insulin at all. Diabetes is categorised as Type 1 and Type 2, depending upon the change in function of pancreas.
Type 1 diabetes is a condition that can develop even in adulthood. This is an auto-immune disease where the body does not produce insulin at all or produces very little insulin which is highly insufficient to conduct the function it requires to do. Someone who has type 1 diabetes, has a very weak immune system, causing destruction of insulin producing cells in the pancreas and hence, they have to rely on insulin intake to maintain the glucose levels.
Type 2 diabetes is usually contracted later in life and under this medical condition the body is unable to make efficient use of the insulin produced. This is also referred to as insulin resistance. The long-term effect of type 2 diabetes is that the body over produces insulin to keep the glucose levels normal and perform the same function as normal insulin production does. Over a period of time the insulin producing cells exhaust and patients have to depend on insulin intake to keep the body functions running.
Use of Insulin in Diabetes
The major role of insulin is to make the body act like the pancreas is working normally and allow the body to function as a healthy one. Insulin injections are needed to cure both types of diabetes. For patients with type 1 diabetes, insulin intake acts as a supplement, since their pancreas does not produce insulin. For patients with type 2 diabetes, insulin injections are needed to control the glucose levels in the body.
If your blood glucose level is excessively high while you are suffering from type 2 diabetes, the doctor may prescribe you insulin because that immediately brings down the blood sugar levels. The cells of your body that have been constantly working overtime to bring down your blood sugar levels, are saved from draining off. Insulin is not known to cause any adverse side effects because it is just an artificial version of the hormone that the pancreas produces. Also, insulin works much faster than usual medications, and patients who suffer from type 2 diabetes for a longer period of time, become resistant to diabetic medications.
Insulin therapies are prescribed depending on the bodily conditions such as type of diabetes, glucose levels, lifestyle and fluctuations in blood sugar levels. If someone is practicing intermittent fasting, the liver releases the stored glucose. In such cases intermediate-acting insulin is prescribed which enables the body to use the released glucose and prevents sudden spike in the glucose levels. Rapid or short-acting insulin are usually taken immediately after the main meals of the day. They act fast and break down the food into glucose, but work only for about four hours.
Diabetes is a disease that can only be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes physical exercises and a balanced diet. Also, one should avoid consuming excess sugar because this can create an adverse impact on the normal body functions.