Without insulin, the body is unable to transform the food we eat into the energy we need to exist. Insulin is essential for life.
Insulin must be taken as a prescription because type 1 diabetes specifically targets the cells that produce insulin for destruction. Type 2 diabetics can produce some insulin on their own, but not enough to keep blood glucose levels stable.
There are numerous ways to treat type 2 diabetes with medication, but insulin is unquestionably the best choice for some type 2 diabetics.
Starting insulin does not indicate that you have not managed your diabetes properly
Some individuals view the necessity to begin using insulin as a failure. It isn’t. Since type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, the body gradually produces less and less insulin over time. As they age, even those without diabetes make less insulin.
Diabetes problems are not brought on by insulin
Insulin assists in achieving the desired blood glucose level, not by causing issues but by preventing them.
Insulin users typically have diabetes for longer than those who use other drugs, which may contribute to the idea that insulin is linked to diabetic problems.
Even when diabetes is well-managed, several problems are more prevalent when it has been present for a long time.
Additionally, doctors frequently prescribe insulin to patients who are having trouble controlling their blood sugar levels because high blood sugar levels increase the risk of developing complications from diabetes.
Not everyone who has diabetes needs to take insulin
When someone is first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, insulin may be the best option, especially if blood glucose levels were quite high.
It could be possible to take another type of diabetes medicine and reduce or cease insulin use after blood glucose levels are better controlled.
Oral drugs may not always be safer
Although excessive insulin can result in hypoglycemia, it is generally safe and has no negative effects on the heart, kidneys, pancreas, or liver.
A shot need not be painful
To act, insulin must penetrate the skin, which requires the use of a needle. Insulin injections may be uncomfortable for some people.
In contrast, modern insulin needles are short and extremely thin, which lessens the discomfort of injections.
Talk to your doctor about testing a needle during a visit or whether inhalable insulin is good for you if concerns about discomfort are preventing you from trying insulin.
The use of insulin does not always result in weight gain
Weight gain is a possibility because insulin aids in the body’s ability to absorb calories from diet.
You can prevent weight gain when you start using insulin. Discuss the next steps with your diabetic care team.
Hypoglycemia can result from insulin
Taking insulin may make it difficult to avoid the occasional low, but type 2 diabetics who use only long-acting insulin are less likely to experience hypoglycemia than those who use multiple daily doses of mealtime insulin.
Although it may be unsettling, your body is informing you that you need to eat something because your blood glucose is too low.
Speak to your doctor about a dose adjustment before you begin a new workout regimen, alter your diet, or if you have lows.
It can be simpler than you think to take insulin
You might link insulin to activities like calorie counting and other things. Although not all insulin users will need to put in the extra effort, some do benefit from these activities.
For instance, since the majority of type 2 diabetics who take insulin utilize a set dose of long-acting insulin, they may not require the carbohydrate counting technique, which is used to modify mealtime insulin doses.
The use of syringes is not necessary to administer insulin
There are several insulin delivery methods, including pens and pumps. Insulin pens offer independence to many people who have spent years injecting insulin with vials and syringes.
They use pen needles as small as 4 mm in length and are more discreet, portable, user-friendly, and easier to read. Nevertheless, they may be more expensive than insulin vials depending on the insurance.
Additionally, insulin pumps are accessible. Discuss your options with your diabetic care team.
You don’t have to use insulin indefinitely once you start using it
Insulin has developed a reputation as the “last resort” treatment for type 2 diabetes that, once started, cannot be stopped.
People may want or need to include other medications that could change how much they use or the need to keep using insulin once blood sugar levels are under control and lifestyle changes are in place.
