What Is Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance occurs when insulin is released by the pancreas, but your body doesnt use it properly causing blood sugar levels to stay high instead of going down into the normal range. This can occur if you consistently eat too many carbohydrates.
Some risk factors for developing insulin resistance include:
- Family history of diabetes
- Use of antidepressants
- Use of steroid medications
- Holding onto fear and anger
Fear and anger are present in all diseases. This is because emotions, such as fear and anger, when held too long, create chemical reactions in your body that do not support your health. In this video, I share how fear and anger can manifest in your body. I also tell you how you can learn to peel back the layers and release your fear and anger to bring more love and light into your life.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use Lantus if you are allergic to insulin, or if you are having an episode of hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis .
Lantus is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old, and some brands are for use only in adults. Do not use this medicine to treat type 2 diabetes in a child of any age.
To make sure Lantus is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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liver or kidney disease or
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heart failure or other heart problems.
Tell your doctor if you also take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone . Taking certain oral diabetes medicines while you are using insulin may increase your risk of serious heart problems.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Follow your doctor’s instructions about using this medicine if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy.
What Happens To Insulin When You Have Diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body either cant produce any or enough insulin, or is resistant to its presence. That means glucose is not able to get into your bodys cells effectively.
The inability for the cells to absorb the glucose in the blood causes elevated blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels will be high after meals, and even between meals, since the liver makes glucose when we are between meals or sleeping. People who have type 2 diabetes often take diabetes pills or insulin shots to improve their blood sugar levels.
Insulin exists in suspension form. It comes in different strengths. The standard strength used in the United States is U-100. This means that it contains 100 units of insulin per milliliter of liquid.
While the strength of insulin varies, its action depends on three characteristics: onset, peak time, and duration.
Onset refers to the length of time it takes for the insulin to start lowering the blood sugar level. Peak time refers to the time when the insulin is at its maximum efficacy in lowering blood sugar levels. Lastly, duration refers to how long insulin continues to lower blood sugar levels for.
Recommended Reading: Diabetic Fasting Blood Sugar Goal
Questions Your Doctor Might Ask You
- How do you feel while taking your insulin?
- Have you noticed any side effects?
- How are you responding to your insulin dose? Are you having any problems with high or low blood sugar?
- Have you had any trouble using your insulin syringe, pen, or pump?
- Do you know how to store and dispose of your used syringes or needles?
If you have any questions between doctor visits, write them down so you remember to ask them next time. Your doctor can check on your progress so that you can successfully manage your diabetes.
Show Sources
Vivian Fonseca, MD, FRCP, chief, Section of Endocrinology, Tulane University School of Medicine president, Medicine & Science, American Diabetes Association.
American Diabetes Association: “Insulin Basics ” “Insulin Routines ” and “Insulin Storage and Syringe Safety.”
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: “What I need to know about Diabetes Medicines.”
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: “Insulin.”
News release, FDA.
What Is An Insulin Reaction
If youre going to use rapid-acting insulin, you need to be aware of insulin reactions and how to treat them. Rapid-acting insulin begins to work very quickly. So while you and your doctor are working to find the right dosage of this insulin, you may have some insulin reactions.
Hypoglycemia is the name for a condition in which the level of sugar in your blood is too low. If you use insulin, your blood sugar level can get too low if you exercise more than usual or if you dont eat enough. It also can get too low if you dont eat on time or if you take too much insulin. Most people who take insulin have insulin reactions at some time. Signs of an insulin reaction and hypoglycemia include the following:
- Feeling very tired.
- Being unable to speak or think clearly.
- Losing muscle coordination.
- Suddenly feeling like youre going to pass out.
- Becoming very pale.
- Candy: 5 Lifesavers.
- Glucose tablets: 3 tablets .
If you dont feel better 15 minutes after having a fast-acting carbohydrate, or if monitoring shows that your blood sugar level is still too low, have another 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.
Read Also: What Is Diabetic Retinopathy Screening
Continuous Glucose Meters Matter
Using a continuous glucose meter , which measures blood sugar via a tiny sensor under the skin on your arm or belly, can provide you and your physician with invaluable information. Theyre the latest and greatest in helping patients monitor their blood sugar, understand patterns, and how their requirements may change throughout the day, says Dr. Miller. A 2021 study showed how CGMs resulted in better glucose control than blood glucose monitoring, which monitors in a single moment, in those with poorly controlled T2D. Dr. Miller says not all insurance plans cover CGMs, but its worth asking if your plan does.
How To Reverse Insulin Resistance And Improve Your Hormonal Health
An imbalance in insulin and glucose levels can be easily managed with diet and lifestyle changes. If you are diagnosed with insulin resistance, heres what you can do to reverse its course, reduce the symptoms of estrogen dominance, and stave off the hormonal cascade that causes inflammation and disease:
Recommended Reading: Insulin Brands For Type 2 Diabetes
When Should I Take Apidra
Apidra is known as a mealtime insulin and was designed to only be taken when youre eating, in order to manage mealtime spikes as well as to correct high blood sugar in people with type 1 diabetes or those who have been instructed to do so.
Its been approved to be injected up to 15 minutes before or up to 20 minutes after the start of a meal.
Studies have shown that Apidra has a quicker onset and longer duration than Humalog, another insulin in the fast-acting class.
Although Apidra works more quickly than regular human insulin when injected, the two take effect at about the same rate when administered intravenously.
How Long Does It Take For Humalog To Kick In
about 15 minutesabout 1 hour
. Beside this, how long does it take for a shot of insulin to work?
Rapid-acting insulin starts to work within 30 minutes after injection. Its effects only last 2 to 3 hours. Regular- or short-acting insulin takes about 30 minutes to work and lasts for about 3 to 6 hours. Intermediate-acting insulin takes up to 4 hours to work fully.
Secondly, how much Humalog do I take? For safety, I initially have patients replace the 1500 Rule for Regular with an “1800 Rule” for Humalog. Someone on 30 total units a day would now divide 30 into 1800 to find their blood sugar is likely to drop 60 mg/dl on each unit of Humalog, rather than the 50 mg/dl drop seen with each unit of Regular.
Also to know, how much does 1 unit of insulin bring down blood sugar?
Generally, to correct a high blood sugar, one unit of insulin is needed to drop the blood glucose by 50 mg/dl. This drop in blood sugar can range from 30-100 mg/dl or more, depending on individual insulin sensitivities, and other circumstances.
Is regular insulin fast acting?
Regular Human Insulin which has an onset of action of 1/2 hour to 1 hour, peak effect in 2 to 4 hours, and duration of action of 6 to 8 hours. The larger the dose of regular the faster the onset of action, but the longer the time to peak effect and the longer the duration of the effect.
Recommended Reading: What Is Worse Diabetes 1 Or Diabetes 2
What Side Effects Are Associated With Metformin
Metformin is intended for long-term use and is the most commonly prescribed Type 2 diabetes medication in the world, but it also has the ability to cause many side effects.
Studies have shown that metformin has the lowest adherence rate of any Type 2 diabetes medication, and it is believed that the intensity of the side effects associated with the drug are the cause.
Metformin is associated with a long list of side effects, but most of the side effects are common and do not require medical attention. There are several ways to reduce the number and severity of side effects experienced while taking metformin, as discussed below.
The most common side effects associated with metformin usually do not require medical attention. These include:
- Diarrhea
- Bloating not from weight gain
- Stomach pain
- Unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth
The side effects most commonly experienced while taking metformin include gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Patients are most likely to experience side effects when they first start using metformin or when their dose of the drug increases. Side effects often disappear or become less intense as the body adjusts to metformin, typically within about two weeks.
How Long Does It Take For Novolog To Work
Do you want to know how long does it take for Novolog to work? This article is all about Novolog, a rapidly growing insulin for diabetes. Well, you are in right place. You Just have to read this content for the next 5 minutes.
Diabetes has been one of the top rising diseases around the world. Diabetes does not come alone, it brings along many other diseases which come to light after certain years. So, its important to take whatever steps it requires to maintain the optimum level of blood glucose.
I will discuss in detail what Novolog is and how much it requires to work in your body. Lets move into the details!
Lets move into the details!
Table of Content
Also Check: Is Insulin Used To Treat Type 2 Diabetes
Blood Sugar Lowering Activities That Will Do The Trick Immediately
If youre experiencing a post-meal high , I recommend a brisk walk or living room dance-off, accompanied by plenty of fluid.
What you want to achieve is an increased heart rate that stays up for a period of time. This type of activity is called steady-state cardio and will typically lower blood sugars pretty quickly. Most people I have worked with see an impact already after 15-20 minutes, but it really depends on you, your blood sugar level, and your insulin sensitivity.
I usually recommend a brisk walk, but it can be whatever activity works for you, as long as it raises your heart rate. If its pouring rain or snowing outside, you can walk or dance around the house instead .
If you have limited mobility, it might be something as simple as standing up and sitting down several times in a row or simply fluttering your legs while seated. Work with what you got!
I think you get my point by now, just move, and get your heart rate up!
I also mentioned hydration, which is a critical component. Most people forget to get enough water throughout the day, and being dehydrated does not help when it comes to lowering blood sugars. So make sure to drink enough, even if you live in a cold climate.
Letting Stress Get To You
Your mental health plays a big role in your blood sugar level. How? Emotional stress can cause swings in your blood sugar. This is in part because stress triggers the release of a hormone called cortisol, which can impair insulin sensitivity, according to a March 2017 article in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Port says this means the same dose of basal or bolus insulin can actually be less effective if youre stressed out.
Try to identify the stressors and sources of chronic anxiety in your life. Then look for a relaxation technique that works for you. Talk to your doctor for ideas. Get consistent sleep. Listen to music. Turn off all devices at night, Port recommends. If possible, make time each day to de-stress take a yoga class, do deep breathing exercises, set aside time to read a book or relax with friends, or establish a soothing bedtime routine to help you wind down.
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Type 2 Remission: How I Got Here And How Ill Stay Here
Michael writes about how he used two main strategies intermittent fasting and walking after meals to put his type 2 diabetes into remission
Theres that word again. Remission. The dream word of people with type 2 diabetes. But is it only a dream? Not for me. As a person with type 2, it did come true. Or to be more accurate, I made it come true. It didnt just happen. Since I achieved remission many people have asked me, How did you do it? and, How are you staying in remission?
Well, first of all, I did have help. If you read my article on the power of CGM, you will know that I dont think I could have achieved remission without the aid of such amazing and important technology. But just having a continuous glucose monitor isnt the whole picture. You still have to make the commitment to using that panorama of information in ways that help you to achieve your goals in your diabetes management.
For me that meant setting goals for diet and exercise I was also determined to do it without the aid of any medication. As a nurse, I did have a good deal of knowledge about nutrition and exercise, but not really in relation to diabetes.
First, I think that it was possible for me to achieve remission for several reasons:
Experimenting with diet: intermittent fasting
Walking to lower blood sugars
Now what?
Michael is an avid chef, photographer, musician, and fiber artist in his free time.
How Much Insulin Do You Need
In type 1 diabetes, most people need a total of 0.5 – 0.8 units of insulin per kilogram of body weight each day. Roughly half this insulin is needed for food intake, and half is the basal rate. In DAFNE half is therefore taken as long-acting insulin and this is divided into two injections of Levemir insulin. One injection when you get up in the morning, and the other in the evening at bedtime. For most people, this is about 24 units in 24 hours.
The amount of background insulin does not depend on what you eat, and the dose should be low enough to allow you to miss meals without the risk of low glucose , whilst still keeping the glucose levels within the target range.
The remainder of the total daily dose is taken at meal times, as a quick acting insulin. Sometimes these are given as insulin mixtures, but not in the DAFNE program.
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What Is Different About Insulin Lispro
Insulin lispro is a new type of insulin. It starts working sooner than other insulin types. It also reaches peak activity faster and goes away sooner. Insulin lispro helps keep your blood sugar level from going too high after you eat. To keep your blood sugar level steady, your doctor will probably prescribe either a longer-acting insulin or another drug for you to take each day in addition to the insulin lispro.
If you need to mix insulin lispro with a longer-acting insulin, it’s best that you mix insulin lispro only with Humulin U or Humulin N, which are brand names for certain longer-acting insulins. Insulin lispro should always be drawn into the syringe first. This will keep the longer-acting insulin from getting into the insulin lispro bottle.
Types of insulin
Each type of insulin works at a different speed and lasts for a different length of time.
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Quick-acting, such as insulin lispro , begins to work very quickly and lasts for 3 to 4 hours.
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Short-acting, such as Regular insulin, starts working within 30 minutes and lasts about 5 to 8 hours.
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Intermediate-acting, such as NPH or Lente insulin, starts working in 1 to 3 hours and lasts 16 to 24 hours.
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Long-acting, such as Ultralente insulin, doesn’t start to work for 4 to 6 hours, but lasts 24 to 28 hours.
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NPH and Regular insulin mixture, two types of insulin mixed together in 1 bottle, starts working in 30 minutes and lasts 16 to 24 hours.
Personalizing Your Diet Based On Blood Sugar Response
In addition to seeing your healthcare provider, there are steps you can take to reduce your blood sugar levels. If you check your blood sugar after meals and keep track of those measurements, along with the types and amounts of food you ate, you may be able to see which foods are problematic.
Although an increase in blood sugar is usually due to eating high-carb foods, all carbs are not the same when it comes to raising blood sugar. Because starchy foods digest down to glucose very quickly, some starchy foods may end up having a much greater impact on blood sugar than you might expect.
For instance, even though a banana tastes sweeter than a baked potato, the potato may actually have a bigger impact on blood sugar.13
Because high-carb foods have the biggest impact on blood sugar levels, it makes sense to reduce them, no matter what type of diet you follow. The American Diabetes made this point in a 2019 paper on nutrition for people with diabetes.14
Sometimes making gradual changes can work best. Our guide, Eating better: six steps down carb mountain, can help you lower your carb intake, one step at a time.
If youve been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, our guide to the best foods for diabetes can help you make choices that may reduce your need for blood sugar control medications.
If a food or beverage seems to be causing your blood sugar to rise too much, try leaving it out of your diet for a few days to see if you notice a difference.
Also Check: How Can Diabetes Be Managed