With India being declared as the Diabetes capital of the world, a basic understanding on Insulin is required. The name insulin comes from the latin insula, for islands. It refers to the pancreatic islets of langerhans that contain the beta cells wherein Insulin is produced. The discovery of insulin was one of the most revolutionary moments in medicine, which saved millions of lives. Estimates show there are millions of diabetics living healthy and reproductive life today because of insulin. Still there are many, who struggle with the thought of insulin because of what they have heard about it.
Here are six facts you must know about Insulin:
A natural hormone which is the Elixr of life: Insulin is a natural hormone our body creates and utilizes to manage the sugar content in blood. It functions like a key. It unlocks cells and enables glucose to enter them thus providing fuel and energy to body.
Prevents long term complications of Diabetes and can be prescribed at any stage of diabetes: Recent studies have shown that early and appropriate use of insulin can not only prevent short-term complications, but can potentially alter the natural progression of the disease. Depending upon the levels of blood sugar insulin maybe prescribed at any stage of diabetes. In some cases, a diabetic is immediately put on Insulin e.g. during pregnancy, any illness, infection or surgery as stress produces hormones which make insulin ineffective.
Taking Insulin is painless now however it still can’t be taken orally: Modern day insulin shots are virtually painless. Due to advances in medical devices newer insulin needles are much smaller and thinner making the intake of Insulin almost painless. However, oral Insulin is still not available for human use. Scientists are busy making intake of Insulin easier for humans but it is still a dream yet to come true
Dosage differs for everyone: Every person is different - so each person needs their own dose of insulin as calculated and adjusted by treating physician Factors like activity levels, eating habits, weight, or type of insulin used are important parameters.
There is neither a solution to Diabetes Management nor are all medicines given for diabetes Insulin: Insulin along with balanced diet and regular exercise is a cornerstone of diabetes management. If you are on a poor diet, insulin alone cannot be a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise. None of the available oral medications for diabetes are actually insulin. They act on various parts of body to help produce more insulin or make the available insulin more effective.
A natural hormone: Insulin is a natural hormone our body creates and utilizes to manage the sugar content in blood. If for some reasons body cannot produce insulin or produces less insulin, then a person develops Diabetes and need to supplement it externally. The name insulin comes from the latin insula, for islands. It refers to the pancreatic islets of langerhans that contain the beta cells wherein Insulin is produced.
The discovery of insulin was one of the most revolutionary moments in medicine, which saved millions of lives. Estimates show there are millions of diabetics living healthy and reproductive life today because of insulin. Still there are many, who struggle with the thought of insulin because of what they have heard about it.
Prevents long term complications triggered by diabetes: Diabetes can be managed with proper care. Recent studies have shown that early and appropriate use of insulin can not only prevent short-term complications, but also reduce long-term effects of poorly controlled diabetes and potentially alter the natural progression of the disease.
(The writer is MD (Med), DM (Endocrinology) Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh New Delhi)