Insulin
Like oral diabetes medications, insulin is an alternative for some
people with noninsulin-dependent diabetes who can't control their blood
glucose levels with diet and exercise. In special situations, such as
surgery and pregnancy, insulin is a temporary but important means of
controlling blood glucose. A section of this booklet called "special
situations" discusses insulin use during pregnancy and surgery.
| Points to Remember
- Insulin may be used when diet, exercise, or oral medications
don't control diabetes.
- Weight control is important when taking insulin.
- Insulin is taken in special situations such as surgery and
pregnancy.
|
Sometimes it's unclear whether insulin or oral medications are more
effective in controlling blood glucose; therefore, a doctor will consider
a person's weight, age, and the severity of the diabetes before
prescribing a medicine. Experts do know that weight control is essential
for insulin to be effective. A doctor is likely to prescribe insulin if
diet, exercise, or oral medications don't work, or if someone has a bad
reaction to oral medicines. A person also may have to take insulin if his
or her blood glucose fluctuates a great deal and is difficult to control.
A doctor will instruct a person with diabetes on how to purchase, mix, and
inject insulin. Various types of insulin are available that differ in
purity, concentration, and how quickly they work. They also are made
differently. In the past, all commercially available insulin came from the
pancreas glands of cows and pigs. Today, human insulin is available in two
forms: one uses genetic engineering and the other involves chemically
changing pork insulin into human insulin. The best sources of information
on insulin are the company that makes it and a doctor.
