The body produces the hormone insulin, which is secreted by islet cells in the pancreas. Carbohydrates are absorbed into the bloodstream from the intestines after a meal. From there, insulin is secreted by the pancreas in response to the detected glucose increase. When insulin attaches to the surface of a cell, the cell activates other receptors that are designed to absorb the sugar from the bloodstream.
If you do not have enough insulin, you can eat a lot of food and remain in a state of starvation. This is because many of your cells cannot access the calories inside the glucose very well without enough insulin. If you are diagnosed with Type I diabetes, then you can become very sick without insulin shots. Insulin is an essential hormone, and those who do not have enough of it need to have it replaced via pumps or shots.
Type II is more common than Type I diabetes, however. In Type II diabetes, people will develop a resistance to insulin rather than a deficiency of it. The problem is that the cells inside of Type II diabetics respond to the insulin their body produces in a sluggish way. This is because the insulin cannot be absorbed by the cells like it should. This can lead to glucose levels that are higher than normal. Occasionally, individuals with Type II need insulin shots, but other treatments are used more often than not.
Insulin Treatments
If you need insulin treatments, there are few things you need to keep in mind.
• Inform your doctor about other medications you use---especially oral diabetes medications.
• Make sure you do not have any kidney or liver disease. If you do, tell your doctor.
• Keep in mind that in order for the treatment program to work, you need to diet and exercise.
• Follow your medication, diet, and exercise program consistently.
• Visit your doctor often. Your treatment program must be monitored properly.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, as you may need treatment for Gestational diabetes.
Tips on administering insulin treatments
• Use your medication exactly as the doctor prescribed. Never use it in larger amounts.
• Never self inject if you are not 100% sure of the process, including the injection and disposal of the syringes and needles.
• Insulin aspart is fast acting. You should eat a meal within ten minutes of injecting it.
• Use each disposable needle just once and throw it away in a puncture-proof container.
• Keep the container of used needles away from children and pets.
• If you use any medication with an insulin pump, make sure you do not dilute or mix it with insulin aspart.
• If your infusion pump does not seem to be working properly, call your doctor immediately.
• Choose a different spot on your body each time you inject with this medication. Never inject into the same spot two times in a row.
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