What is insulin, dispelling myths and misconceptions about insulin

What is insulin, dispelling myths and

 misconceptions about insulin

What is Insulin?

Insulin is an Anabolic hormone of the body, produced by beta cells of pancreas that regulates metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fat by absorption of glucose from the blood to liver and skeletal muscles.

The body cells need sugar to produce energy. But sugar can not enter into cells directly. After eating food. Body’s blood sugar level rises, and in pancreas, beta cells signal to release insulin into bloodstream. Insulin then reaches to the cells and allow them to use blood sugar to produce energy.

If body have more sugar than it needs, insulin helps store sugar in liver and releases it when body’s blood sugar level is low or when it needs more sugar like in between meals or during physical activities. Insulin helps to keep blood sugar in normal range and balance its level. As blood sugar level rises, pancreas secrets more insulin in bloodstream.

If body does not produce enough insulin or body cells resists the effect of insulin, then it may develop high blood sugar, which may cause long term complication if sugar level stays high for long time

Treatment of Insulin for diabetes.

Type 1 diabetic body fails to produce insulin due to damage of the beta cell in pancreas. Therefore, it will need insulin injections to allow body to use glucose and avoid complications from high blood sugar.

Type 2 diabetic body do not respond to insulin or its insulin resistant. It may need insulin shots to help them better process sugar and prevent long term complications from this disease. Type 2 is a progressive condition. So, if someone has it for too long, more likely he or she will require insulin to maintain blood sugar level.

Myths and misconceptions about insulin and its dispelling

Here are some insulin myths many people have. And you will be happy to know that these are not proved to be true and insulin is safe and effective if used properly. Here we will dispel the myths about insulin.

1.   Taking insulin means you have failed to manage your diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease which can’t be cure. If your pancreas not producing insulin and other medications failed to control blood sugar level, then it’s totally normal to take insulin. its not your fault it’s a natural thing.

2.   Insulin makes you fat

Insulin can stimulate your appetite but its benefits outweigh risk of weight gain. And you can also make healthy choices by adopting low carbs, high fibre diet with lots of veggies and fruits.

3.   Insulin injections hurt.

Fear of needles is a common complaint from patients. But now in market there extra thin injections of insulin available, which are less painful. Many insulin users have less pain experience about insulin injections.

4.   Taking insulin means you will encounter more hypoglycemic events

It is possible but not with type 2 diabetic people. If you feel fainted after insulin shot, you should have some sugar candy, juice or something that contains sugar to raise blood sugar in safe level.

5.   If you start insulin, you will have to take it for life.

In type 2 diabetes you may starts with insulin, but after some time you can switch to another medications. If you succeed to manage your sugar level, you can also stop your medications.

6.   Taking Insulin means restricted life

Many people think that starting insulin will make their life less independent and they will dependent on helper or caretaker. But taking insulin will put you in a good state of condition and you will be more independent. Also carrying insulin became easy with the compact insulin pen.

7.   Insulin is addictive

Insulin is not a drug, people will be addicted to, it’s a natural hormone which present in human body by birth.

In diabetes, its not produce in body for which we have to supply it from outside.

8.   Every diabetic person needs to take insulin

In type 2 diabetes you may eventually need to start insulin but that’s not in everyone’s case. More than 50 percent of diabetics in the world, use only oral medications. And 20 percent of diabetics are able to control their blood sugar by diet and exercise.

9.   Oral medications are better than insulin

Oran medication can work well on type 2 diabetics. But this always doesn’t work with everyone. for some people insulin is the best prescription as it always works.

10.       In pregnancy, insulin will harm your baby

Very less amount of Insulin crosses the placenta, and its nit harmful for the baby. In opposite, high blood sugar can complicate the condition and cause harm for mother and baby both.

i hope your fear of insulin is gone at some level by these misconceptions dispelling.