Insulin Treatment for Diabetes

     Diabetes is due to lack of or decreased insulin secretion by the pancreas. Lack of insulin secretion is commonly found in type 1 or juvenile diabetes. The adult-onset or the type 2 diabetes is often due to decreased insulin secretion, and/or lack of sensitivity of effectivity of the insulin being secreted by the pancreas. 

     For mild or newly diagnosed diabetes, single medication is recommended. Oral medications "push" the pancreas to secrete more insulin, or by increasing the sensitivity of the body cells to the effects of the insulin in the body.

     However, if the sugar goes beyond the target level as monitored by Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and HBA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin A1c), there insulin therapy is the best option. Insulin therapy gives time for the pancreas to rest and recover.

     Before, insulin treatment was used only as the last resort, the "when-all-else-fails" form of treatment for diabetes. Today, however, early insulin treatment is recommended by different diabetes associations. aside from being safe, it is cost effective compared with taking several classes of anti-diabetes pills at the same time.

     Starting in an insulin treatment does not mean you will be on it for life. But you need to monitor your sugar levels closer and visit your doctor regularly to receive optimum treatment and care.

     This article is based from the dear doctor section of Health and Home by Linda Lim-Varona, M.D.