Insulin is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body in an organ called the pancreas. Insulin is very important in regulating blood sugar levels and this is why it is directly injected into people suffering from Diabetes. How does this work? When food is taken into the body, it is broken down to glucose which is the compound that body cells use in creating energy. In a healthy person, an increase in glucose levels signals the pancreas to release insulin. An increase in insulin causes the various body cells to take up glucose from the blood stream. This reduces the blood glucose levels and when only enough is left in the blood stream, insulin production is reduced. Excess glucose is stored in body cells as a compound called glycogen. This glycogen may be converted back into glucose whenever needed. This is made possible by another natural hormone produced by pancreas known as glucagon. With insulin causing the body cells to take up glucose from the blood stream, blood sugar levels are lowered. This maintains the blood glucose (also known as blood sugar) levels within the set limits. Insulin is responsible for maintaining proper blood sugar levels.
In people suffering from diabetes, their pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin, if any. This causes slow or no uptake of glucose by body cells. This glucose builds up in the blood stream and causes all the problems associated with Diabetes.
The main aim in managing the diabetic patient is to ensure blood sugar levels are maintained at the right levels. Dietary changes, proper exercises and over the counter medications are available to help with this. An effective method that has been used to effectively manage Diabetes is the use of insulin injections, like Saxenda.
How does this therapy work?
Insulin needs to be injected into the body muscles. From here it is taken up into the blood stream where it works like the natural hormone. It signals the body cells in absorb glucose and use it in making energy or for storage as glycogen. With proper dosage, the diabetic patient is able to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Insulin needs to be injected in the right doses and at the right time. It should also be combined with proper diet and fitness regime. Do not disregard all the advice your doctor has given you when you start using insulin. Adhere to all of it. It is important to note that insulin should only be used as a prescription. Your doctor will advise you on how to use this medication properly for best results. What if you cannot stand injections? Is there another way to get insulin into the body? Yes, you may use insulin pumps that are placed on the skin and pump insulin into the body, jet injections that directly inject the insulin into the body or use inhalable insulin that is inhaled through the nose. Note that insulin cannot be taken by mouth. This is because the digestive system will break it down before it reaches the bloodstream.