Insulin Shots for Diabetics: Definition, Types and Functions

How Important Are Insulin Shots for Diabetics?

How well do you know about Insulin? Knowing how your body uses insulin and how it impacts your condition may help you better understand your health. Insulin is a hormone your body produces to maintain appropriate blood glucose levels. Beta cells of the pancreas produce it, and the primary function is to transport glucose into the cells, where it is converted into energy. When your body doesn't produce enough insulin, glucose accumulates in your bloodstream rather than entering your cells to generate energy.

When you have diabetes, your body is not making insulin, or your insulin function is impaired, several things can go wrong. From insulin classification to its functions, we are here to help you with straightforward answers to your pressing concerns.

What is Insulin?

Insulin is a hormone produced naturally by your pancreas that aids your body's usage of sugar for energy. If your pancreas does not function properly, it may not produce or release the insulin required to manage your blood sugars, resulting in diabetes.

Diabetes is a condition in which your body does not produce enough insulin or does not utilise insulin properly.

What is the Function of Insulin?

Insulin transports glucose from your bloodstream to cells throughout your body. Glucose comes from meals as well as through your body's natural release of stored glucose. Insulin is the "key" that unlocks the "doors" of your body's cells. When insulin opens doors, glucose may leave your circulation and enter your cells, which can be used for energy. Without enough insulin, glucose cannot enter your cells and accumulates in your blood (hyperglycemia).

Many conditions might trouble your body's capacity to manufacture and release insulin. They are as follows:

• Diabetes that develops during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes.
• Prediabetes occurs when your body is insulin resistant, but your blood sugar levels aren't high enough to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
• Type 1 diabetes occurs when your pancreas produces insufficient insulin to manage your blood sugar.
• Type 2 diabetes occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or your body does not utilise insulin as much as it should.
• Metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance syndrome), a set of risk factors that raise the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Insulin resistance occurs when your body's cells cannot utilise glucose from your blood as fuel.

Types of Insulin

Insulin is classified based on how long it remains active in the body. 

Short Acting and Long Acting Insulin

Rapid acting insulin or short acting insulin lowers blood glucose levels during meals, whereas intermediate or long-acting insulin helps manage the body's overall demands. Both aid in the control of blood glucose levels.

Types of insulin injections are classified into 7 kinds, ranging from fast-acting to long-acting. Some insulins appear transparent, while others appear foggy. Consult your pharmacist to determine if your insulin should be clear or hazy. Novolog, Humalog, Apidra are some rapid acting insulin names. Lantus, Basaglar, and Toujeo are some long acting insulin names.

The 7 Insulin types are:

Important Terms to Know

Onset- How fast insulin lowers your blood sugar levels.

Peak Time- When insulin is at the most strength.

Duration- For how long insulin works to keep your blood sugar level low.

What is the Method of Administering Insulin?

Many people with diabetes self-administer insulin by injecting it with a syringe. Lines outside the syringe indicate the amount of medication in the needle. With the assistance of your doctor, you can select from various syringe sizes.

What Exactly is Insulin Resistance?

Insulin resistance occurs when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver fail to respond to insulin and cannot utilise glucose from your blood for energy. To compensate, your pancreas produces extra insulin, and your blood sugar levels rise over time.

Obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes are all symptoms of insulin resistance syndrome.

>> Also Read- Natural Ways to Treat Insulin Resistance

How Can Health Insurance for Diabetes Protect You?

India has emerged as the world's diabetes capital. According to one survey, diabetes affects around 8.7% of the population. Long working hours, lack of exercise, and poor eating habits harm your health. It can harm your heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys, necessitating costly treatments. Diabetes may be frightening, especially when it affects you or your loved ones. However, a healthy attitude toward treatment and comprehensive health insurance for Diabetes may help you get through the medical crises diabetes may bring.

As medical inflation rises, you should purchase health insurance that includes diabetes coverage with the finest available care. Diabetes patients of all ages may get comprehensive health coverage from Care Health Insurance and be stress-free. Diabetes health insurance protects you from high pre and post-hospitalization costs, cashless hospitalisation with network hospitals, organ donor coverage, domiciliary care, and yearly health check-ups.

Disclaimer: The above-mentioned information is for reference purposes only.