[ad_1]
Diabetes, once considered a western affluent disease, has now become a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries.
Rapid urbanization, lack of exercise, obesity, a high calorie diet, mental tension and worries or hereditary factors are responsible for this increase.
Insulin deficiency (hormone produced in the pancreas and responsible for the regulation of sugar in the body) or its absence is the root cause of diabetes that causes an increase in blood sugar.
Children and young adults with diabetes only need insulin for treatment because no insulin is produced in the body (type 1 diabetes). Middle-aged or elderly patients may be judged by a schedule of dietary restrictions, exercise and oral anti-diabetic medications (type II diabetes). But if blood glucose remains persistently high, they switch to insulin for better control.
Apart from this, type 2 patients need insulin if they develop a complication of diabetes. When a diabetic woman gets pregnant, it is best to use insulin to properly control blood sugar because high blood sugar at that time harms the baby. Insulin is used during a major surgery or trauma in a diabetic to prevent infections. Thus, we can see that insulin is practically a lifeline for diabetic patients.
Different types of insulin are available with varying duration of action. Fast acting insulins are useful in emergencies when the need to immediately lower high blood sugar. They are also useful for allowing flexibility of meals. Long-acting and long-acting insulins facilitate administration because they only need to be injected once or twice every 24 hours.
Insulin always starts at a low dose, which is adjusted based on blood glucose results. It should always be taken before food. This helps prevent the rise in blood sugar after meals. Taking a meal also helps prevent blood glucose levels with insulin from going down to very low levels. Between the injection of insulin and a meal, the time interval should not exceed 30 minutes.
With regard to long-term use, insulin is very safe. Sometimes a person may have an allergy to the injection site. When used for a long time, resistance can sometimes develop, but this problem can be solved by changing the type and dose of insulin.
Unfortunately, insulin is still available as an injection. There are no tablets to take by mouth. Because one needs insulin all his life, it is always best that the individual learns to inject it. The injections are administered subcutaneously, that is to say beneath the superficial layers of the skin, and can easily be used by a person for self-injection on the thighs or forearms. Intravenous injections are used only in case of emergency.
Insulin vials should be stored in a cool place at 4 to 8 degrees C, away from direct sunlight. Special syringes are available for insulin injection, usually available in doses of 40 and 100 units. So, once a person learns to inject insulin, she can easily use it properly. Prefixed insulins are now available, which is very convenient. Just inject it without even bothering to draw a fixed amount from a vial. This has become very convenient for the user.
People with diabetes should also be aware of the symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If, after injecting insulin, one experiences sweating, palpitations and / or sudden weakness and dizziness, he should immediately eat or drink something to avoid severe hypoglycemia.
Glucose meters are readily available now. With them, you can monitor blood glucose at home and adjust the insulin dose accordingly. With proper use of insulin, regular diet and physical exercise, each diabetic can maintain a good quality of life.
Dr. Rachna Pande, Specialist in Internal Medicine
Source link
