What is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body use glucose from food for energy. It works in two ways: first, it helps the cells in the body absorb glucose from the blood. Then it helps the body store the unused glucose for later use. Without insulin, the body can’t use or store glucose and the glucose starts to build up in the blood.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition where the body can’t produce enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it produces effectively. This means that glucose builds up in the blood, causing high blood sugar levels. Over time, this can lead to serious health problems such as kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, and nerve damage.
How Does Insulin Help Diabetes?
For people with diabetes, insulin helps control the levels of glucose in their blood. People with type 1 diabetes need to inject insulin every day to stay healthy. For people with type 2 diabetes, insulin injections may be needed in addition to lifestyle changes.
Types of Insulin
There are different types of insulin that can be used to treat diabetes. Rapid-acting insulins work quickly and last for a short time. Short-acting insulins work more slowly and last for a longer time. Long-acting insulins work slowly and last for a long time. Some people with diabetes use a combination of insulins to control their blood sugar levels.
How to Use Insulin
Insulin can be injected using a syringe, an insulin pen, or an insulin pump. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions for using insulin. The dose and timing of insulin may need to be adjusted to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
Side Effects of Insulin
Insulin can cause side effects, including low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and weight gain. People with diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels closely and talk to their doctor if they experience any side effects.
Conclusion
Insulin is an important treatment for people with diabetes. It helps control the levels of glucose in the blood, which can help prevent serious health problems. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions for using insulin and to monitor blood sugar levels closely.