Briefly about insulin | Types | Principles | Complications
It’s no secret that patients with type 1 diabetes and sometimes type 2 diabetes artificially inject themselves with the hormone insulin. Insulin therapy is becoming an integral part of a fulfilling human life. But sometimes things are not so simple. Insulin inevitably lowers blood sugar. And if you overdo it even a little, then the consequences can be dire. So, what are the principles of insulin therapy? You will learn about this in this article.
Briefly about insulin itself
We have already discussed what insulin is and what its role for the body is in previous articles. Now let me remind you briefly that insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. And for the body it plays the role of “energy engine”.
The production of insulin in a healthy person is constant and amounts to 1 unit per hour. This is called background secretion, or basal insulin. When a person eats, the secretion of insulin is faster, approximately 1-2 units per 10 grams of carbohydrates. But at the same time, a balance is maintained between the need and the concentration of the hormone.
In type 1 diabetes, this balance is achieved by insulin therapy. Its purpose is to normalize glucose metabolism, increase the patient’s quality of life and prevent the development of complications.
Types of insulin therapy
Insulin therapy prescribed by a doctor can be intensified and traditional.
The traditional regimen consists of:
- schedule of insulin injections by time;
- mealtime with carbohydrate count;
- the level of physical activity at a certain time.
Intensive therapy consists of calculating a short insulin, the dosage of which depends on the amount eaten. In addition to short insulin, long-acting injections are needed, which are given 1-2 times a day according to an algorithm. It depends on the duration of the drug’s action.
This type of therapy is the most convenient. It allows you to move the mealtime, and not adjust to it. It allows you to have snacks.
Correctly selected insulin therapy completely mimics the work of the pancreas of a healthy person.
Principles
In order for therapy to be effective, especially in children, it is necessary to:
- Constantly maintain glycemic control;
- Have an intensified type of therapy;
- Have correction of insulin dosage by an endocrinologist.
The average daily dose of insulin should be as close as possible to the natural production of the body.
To do this, 2/3 of the total insulin is administered in the morning, afternoon and first half of the evening. And 1/3 — at night or late at night.
Complications
Complications may develop from insulin therapy.
- Hypoglycemia. Drop in sugar levels. Reasons: hormone overdose, excessive physical activity, skipping food or lack of it, drinking alcohol.
- Somogyi phenomenon. Chronic insulin overdose.
- Insulin allergy. Swelling of the skin, itching, induration are possible.
- Lipodystrophy. Changes in the subcutaneous fat at the injection sites.
But remember that the success of treatment depends on correctly selected doses of insulin, correctly calculated physical activity, and the mode of compensation for carbohydrate metabolism.