Content
The use of insulin should be recommended by the endocrinologist according to the type of diabetes that the person has, and the injection may be indicated every day before the main meals, in the case of type 1 diabetes, or when anti-diabetes drugs are used. diabetics begin to have no effect in the case of type 2 diabetes.
In addition, according to blood glucose levels before meals, the doctor may recommend the injection to promote a decrease in glucose levels, especially if blood glucose levels remain above 200 mg / dL.
Insulin should not be used without a doctor's prescription or when the diabetic wants to because he / she has eaten more sugar, because the improper use of insulin can cause tremors, mental confusion, blurred vision or dizziness, which are characteristic of hypoglycemia. Know how to recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
When insulin is indicated
Insulin should be started as soon as diabetes is confirmed by fasting blood glucose test, oral glucose tolerance test (TOTG) and measurement of glycated hemoglobin. In the case of type 1 diabetes, in which the production of insulin is absent due to changes in the cells of the pancreas responsible for the production of this hormone, the use of insulin must begin immediately in order to prevent complications from diabetes.
In the case of type 2 diabetes, which occurs as a consequence of genetic and environmental factors, such as inadequate nutrition and physical inactivity, for example, the use of insulin is only indicated by the doctor when the use of hypoglycemic drugs is not sufficient, and therefore it is necessary to insulin injection to control blood glucose levels.
How the diabetic should take insulin
Initially, treatment with insulin is done with few units, and the use of basal insulin, which is a long-lasting insulin, is usually indicated before bedtime, and it is also recommended that the person continue taking oral antidiabetic drugs during the day. and according to the doctor's indication.
The patient must then measure and record the fasting blood sugar levels, before and after the main meals and also before going to sleep, for a period that can vary between 1 or 2 weeks so that the doctor can define when and how much insulin quick action you must take to control diabetes.
After the doctor decides the correct dose of insulin, the patient must take insulin regularly, strictly respecting the medical prescription, which can be adjusted over time, so that diabetes is controlled and does not progress to complications such as vision problems and malfunction of the patients. kidneys, for example. See how to correctly apply insulin.
Watch this video and learn more about what diabetic nutrition should look like: