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Diabetes is a highly prevalent condition with over 422 million cases worldwide. Given the current lifestyle and stresses, the risk of diabetes and its complications has been increasing. The risks of developing complications increase due to poor control of sugars in diabetics. Insulin therapy helps manage diabetes, regulates blood sugar levels and improves the patient’s adherence to the treatment.
What is Insulin?
When you eat food, your pancreas releases a hormone known as insulin. Insulin helps transport glucose (sugar) from your food into the cells via blood for energy and storage. When you are eating and in between your meals, your body needs insulin to regulate your blood sugar levels and keep them stable.
Types of Insulin
Insulin is available in five different types based on the onset, peak, and duration of action.
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Rapid-acting insulin
This type of insulin begins to work within 15 minutes of injecting it. It peaks at 30 to 90 minutes and then the action lasts for three to five hours.
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Short-acting insulin
This insulin starts acting after 30-60 minutes and peaks in about two to four hours. It then lasts for five to eight hours.
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Intermediate-acting insulin
This typically takes about one to three hours to start working. It then peaks in approximately eight hours and acts for 12 to 16 hours.
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Long-acting insulin
These are the type of insulin that take the longest amount of time to start working. Long-acting insulin can take almost 4 hours to get into your bloodstream.
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Pre-mixed
This type is a combination of two types of insulin to control your blood sugar levels at mealtime and in between meals.
Human Insulin
This is synthetic insulin that is manufactured using recombinant DNA technology and is exactly identical to the insulin produced in the human body by the pancreas. Human insulin is mostly available as a short-acting and intermediate-acting insulin. This form of insulin can cause weight gain due to the constant snacking urge and also cause episodes of low blood sugar levels.
Newer Insulin
New or analogue insulins are molecular-engineered formulations that help improve the absorption and duration of action of insulin. The long-acting & rapid-acting insulin belong to this group. They have better efficacy and provide better treatment satisfaction. These types of insulin reduce your risk of developing nocturnal hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar at night), lower your postprandial blood sugar levels, and allow you the flexibility in administering the dose.
Long-acting Newer Insulins
The newer insulins that have come up in the market are:
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Detemir
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Glargine
Rapid Insulins
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Aspart
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Lispro
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Niacin added Aspart
Benefits of Newer Insulins
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Long-acting insulins help reduce the rate of hypoglycaemia (low sugar levels).
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It won’t cause weight gain.
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These types of insulins also help improve liver function and decrease liver fat and triglyceride levels.
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It allows you to self-manage your own insulin regimen without visiting your doctor very often.
Diabetes Treatment in Salem is available at the best prices at Manipal Hospital, book your appointment now!
Takeaway
Newer insulins are known to be patient-friendly and hold a better promise at managing blood sugar levels. They are known to positively affect the quality of life and reduce the rate of low blood sugar episodes. The insulin regimen differs for different patients based on the risks and symptoms involved. Educating and empowering individuals to manage their blood sugar levels along with regulating their insulin dosage is the ultimate goal of these newer long-acting insulin.
If you are looking for an Internal Medicine specialist in Salem to get the best diagnosis and treatment for diabetes then visit Manipal Hospital.
Consultant - Internal Medicine
Manipal Hospital, Salem
