Some type-2 diabetics are able to keep their diabetes under control without diabetic medication. However, type-1 diabetics need insulin to survive. Since type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease which destroys the pancreas’ insulin producing cells it, it must be taken medically. Insulin cannot be taken in oral form because the digestive juices in your stomach and intestine will break it down before it is able to do its job. So, it has to be injected. There are several different ways that this is done:
A fine needle and syringe is the most common way that insulin is injected. It needs only to be injected into the skin to work.
An insulin pen is a fairly new instrument. The device looks like an ink pen, but it has a cartridge that is filled with insulin. The pen sprays the skin with insulin at high pressure so that the insulin is absorbed.
An insulin pump is a device that is about the size of a cell phone. It is worn outside the body and a catheter is inserted under the skin of your abdomen. A wireless device is used to signal the pump to work.
There are also several types of insulin available; they are categorized by the speed at which they work. These include: Rapid-acting insulin, short-acting insulin, intermediate-acting insulin, and long acting insulin. When you are first beginning to use this type of diabetic medication, it will take some time to get the dose right. So, you’ll have to check your blood sugar several times a day. Furthermore, changes in your weight, what you eat, your activity level, and the health conditions that you have will cause you to have to readjust your doses from time to time. Your doctor or nurse can help you do this.
Taking Diabetic Medicine
There are two general types of treatment plans for taking insulin. These are the standard or more conventional type of insulin treatment and a more intensive form. According to Uptodate.com, intensive insulin treatment is best for keeping your blood sugar levels under control. In this method you will take 3 or more shots per day or use an insulin pump.
You will also need to check your blood sugar levels frequently. The advantage of using this method is that you will feel fairly normal on a daily basis and you will reduce your risks of diabetes-related complications later on. On the other hand, the drawbacks are that you would be at an increased risk of having hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episodes, you will have to coordinate your meals and activities carefully, and it is more expensive than the standard treatment.
