Keywords
Diabetes, sugar; glucose; receptors; insulin; type 1; type 2; blood sugar level; lancet; hyperglycemia; hypoglycemia; diabetic neuropathy; diabetic retinopathy, bmbody
|
|
 |
Overview *
|
|
Insulin is a chemical hormone made by the pancreas. Normally, insulin levels in the blood change depending on how much glucose is in the blood. Diabetes makes it hard for the cells of the body to get the glucose they need for energy:
- Type 1 Diabetes - insulin is not made by the pancreas and insulin must be taken by injection
- Type 2 Diabetes - may be controlled by diet, exercise and oral medications, but more than 50% of Type 2 diabetics will need to take insulin someday
There are several types of insulin:
- Rapid-acting insulin
- Medium-acting insulin
- Intermediate insulin
- Long-acting insulin
- Insulin mixtures
Your doctor will advise you of a strict schedule for administering your insulin, testing your blood sugar, and keeping a daily log. This will help you and your doctor know if you need more or less insulin and which kind. You will be given careful instructions of how to draw the insulin from the bottles and how to use and dispose of the syringes. Insulin injections are very safe and not very painful and they are important to help control diabetes and prevent some of its complications
|
| |
| |
Multimedia
|
|
This patient education program explains treatment of diabetes and its complications. It will help you learn how you can control diabetes with insulin.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
This button allows you to read and print an illustrated handout. |
This button starts a multimedia program with interactive questions. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This button starts an interactive quiz.
|
This button plays a self-running presentation.
|
|
|
Last reviewed: 6/5/2009 |
|