How much information out there about insulin is actually true? Can insulin cure diabetes? Do insulin injections hurt? Can I get addicted to insulin? If you're looking for the facts, read on to discover the truth behind the top ten most common insulin myths.
1. MYTH: Insulin cures diabetes.
Currently there is no cure for diabetes. Instead, insulin is a method of controlling diabetes. Insulin supplements what the beta cells of the pancreas cannot make. Insulin converts glucose into energy and is used to manage diabetes and control blood glucose levels.
2. MYTH: Insulin injections will disrupt my life.
If your doctor prescribes insulin, don't panic. You will not be confined to home, destined to never travel again. Instead you will find in time that insulin injections will simply become a part of your daily routine. Your doctor can design a dosing schedule that will fit your lifestyle and various types of insulin are available for different needs. Convenience devices like insulin pens and pumps may provide even more flexibility in your daily life.
Using insulin is not a sign of failure to control your diabetes. Nor is it an indication of severe health problems or proof that your risk ofdiabetes complications has increased. Try as you might, the beta cells in your pancreas are not under your control. All people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin. And after years of successful management, it is not uncommon for people with type 2 diabetes to reach a point where improved glucose control can only be obtained by using insulin. This is not your fault. It is a natural progression of type 2 diabetes.
4. MYTH: Insulin injections hurt.
A fear of needles is a common complaint for many people taking injections. However, today's insulin syringes and pens are virtually painless. The best way to overcome this fear is to tryinsulin injections yourself. Your primary care physician can show you how to administer the injection. If you try it yourself and still feel pain, discuss this with your doctor. Your injection method and even the temperature of the insulin could be a factor.
5. MYTH: If I take insulin, I will have more hypoglycemic events.
Using insulin can increase your risk of hypoglycemia but there are insulins available that make hypoglycemia less likely to occur. Among people with type 2 diabetes, hypoglycemic events are rare.1 Learning how to properly determine how much insulin you need is the first step to preventing hypoglycemic events. But it is important to also learn how to treat low blood sugar in case of an emergency. Talk to your doctor about ways to prevent hypoglycemia.
Insulin Effects
Insulin can in fact stimulate the appetite but its benefits outweigh its risk of weight gain. In fact, it is excessive eating that causes weight gain. Ahealthy diet that includes portion control, fruits and vegetables, as well as regular exercise remains the most effective way to control weight gain.
7. MYTH: Insulin is addictive.
You cannot become addicted to insulin. It is a natural substance that the body requires. It is understandable that using a needle to inject insulin might provoke thoughts of drug use and addiction, so if using syringe needles in public causes you concern, try going into a bathroom or talk to your doctor about other methods you can use to administer your insulin, such as pumps.
8. MYTH: It does not matter where insulin is injected.
Where you inject your insulin determines rate of absorption. Injection around the abdomen has the fastest rate of absorption, while the thighs and buttocks are the slowest. Injecting in the arm falls somewhere in between. Wherever you inject your insulin, be sure to inject into a fatty subcutaneous area of your body. Also, it is a good idea to rotate injection sites. Multiple injections in the same place can cause fat deposits to build up under the skin, which can delay insulin absorption.
Type 1 diabetes is defined as such because insulin-producing beta cells within the pancreas are gradually destroyed and eventually fail to produce insulin. Therefore people with type 1 diabetes require insulin. The treatment for type 1 diabetes also includes a proper diet and exercise. People with type 2, however, are still able to produce insulin at diagnosis but over time, the overworked beta cells of the pancreas can wear out completely and lose the ability to secrete sufficient insulin. People with type 2 may be treated with insulin at one time and then switched to oral medications or other injectable diabetes medications. Some people may even be able to decrease their medications as their blood glucose improves and others still may find they are able to stop taking medications altogether once they lose weight and improve their lifestyle.
10. MYTH: Using insulin means I can eat the way I want.
Great theory, but actually a poor diet means you need more insulin to lower your blood glucose levels. Insulin, like oral medications, are only a part of the diabetes treatment plan. The most effective way to use insulin is in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. However, insulin or any other diabetes medication cannot take the place of you taking care of yourself.
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