Diabetes Treatment Using Insulin

Insulin is used as a diabetes treatment for all those with type I diabetes. Insulin is also used for those with type II diabetes that cannot control their blood glucose levels by oral medications, exercise, weight loss and diet. The use of insulin as a diabetes treatment is to try and mimic the bodies production and secretion of insulin form the pancreas However this can be difficult and it is necessary to monitor blood glucose levels while using insulin injections.

The earliest insulin used in a diabetes treatment came from animals, mainly pigs and cows. Unfortunately the insulin from these animals caused some immune reactions in individuals and the supply could not keep up with the demand. Eventually in 1977 animal insulin was replaced by human insulin for a diabetes treatment. Insulin is available in many forms and your diabetes treatment may is a combination of different types of insulin as this can control blood sugar levels better.

Some types of insulin used in diabetes treatment include Humalog and Novolog insulin. These types of insulin are used for very immediate insulin needs as they only last for a short time. They become active after 5 to 15 minutes and will have a peak activity between 30 to 60 minutes after injection. Intermediate acting insulin products include NPH and Lente. These insulin’s begin working from between 1 to 2.5 hours after injection with peak activity at 8 to 12 hours.

There are also very long acting insulin’s used in a diabetes treatment. Lantus starts working 2 to 3 hours after injection is stable for between 2 to 20 hours. Ultra Lente works for 10 to 18 hours and starts working after 4 to 6 hours. Detemir starts working after 3 to 4 hours and its peak activity will depend on the dosage. Many times a diabetes treatment will use combinations of these insulin and will depend on you diabetes.