Type 2 Diabetes: What Is It?
When it comes to your body, you probably spend more time thinking about your hair than your hormones. For some people, though, a problem with a hormone called insulin causes a health condition called type 2 diabetes (pronounced: dye-uh-BEE-tees). Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose (pronounced: GLOO-kose), a sugar that is the body's main source of fuel. Your body needs glucose to keep running. Here's how it should work: Glucose from the food gets into your bloodstream. Your pancreas makes a hormone called insulin (pronounced: IN-suh-lin). Insulin helps the glucose get into the body's cells. The pancreas is a long, flat gland in your belly that helps your body digest food. It also makes insulin. Insulin is like a key that opens the doors to the cells of the body. It lets the glucose in. Then the glucose can move out of the blood and into the cells. But if someone has diabetes, either the body can't make insulin or the insulin doesn't work in the body like it should. The glucose can't get into the cells normally, so the blood sugar level gets too high. Lots of sugar in the blood makes people sick if they don't get treatment. There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Each type causes high blood sugar levels in a different way. In type 1 diabetes , the pancreas can't make insulin. The body can still get glucose from food, but the glucose can't get into the cells, where it's needed, and glucose stays in the blood. This makes the blood sugar level very high. With type 2 diabetes, the body still makes insulin. But a person with type 2 diabetes doesn't respond normally to the insulin the body makes. So glucose is less able to enter the cells and do its job of supplying energy. When glucose can't enter the cells in this way, doctors call Continue reading >>
Why Insulin Use Isn't Always Permanent For Type 2 Diabetes
Weight loss and exercise may reduce your need for insulin.(HEALTH/FOTOLIA) If your doctor puts you on insulin, it's not necessarily permanent. Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, who need insulin to survive, people with type 2 diabetes use insulin as just one more tool to control blood sugar. You may be able to go off insulin if you can get your blood sugar under control using diet and exercise. "A person who is very, very obese or very heavy will find that if they lose a large amount of weight, their insulin requirements or their oral medication requirements may drop tremendouslyeven disappear," says Richard Hellman, MD, former president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Taking insulin just after diagnosis may also make it easier in the long term to control your blood sugar with diet and exercise, according William Bornstein, MD, an endocrinologist at the Emory Clinic in Atlanta. Stopping Insulin Some people may be able to stop taking it Watch videoMore about using insulin Glucose toxicity "When the sugar has been running high it creates in and of itself a resistance to other things to bring it down. It's a term we call glucose toxicity," says Dr. Bornstein. "So let's say that somebody comes in and their blood sugar is running pretty high and they want to try diet and exercise. It's less likely that the diet and exercise will work to bring it down. "So we might use medication for a period of time, bring it down, then stop the medication and let that individual have a period of time to try diet and exercise and see if that'll work to keep it down," says Dr. Bornstein. If you've developed diabetes recently and needed insulin right away, there's a better chance that you may be able to eventually reduce your dose or even stop taking insulin if you e Continue reading >>
Ran Out Of Insulin.
Member I have type 1 diabetes since I was 11. I ran out of Insulin. And I don't get more till next week. I am insulin dependant. I need some advice? D.D. Family Getting much harder to control Hi Sauro several places might be able to supply a few days supply. If not get out and walk and lower the carb level best you can. Is there not one person you know that does insulin, I so wish I was near you I would give you a vial. You could go to a clinic and they might give you an emergency supply. One last thing are you in the US last resort walmart has insulin cheap but it wont be the same type of insulin but its better than nothing. Member I have type 1 diabetes since I was 11. I am still under my parent's insurance plan. I might try asking them to see if they can help me out. D.D. Family T1 since 1966, pumper since '03, transplant '08 Hi Sauro several places might be able to supply a few days supply. If not get out and walk and lower the carb level best you can. Is there not one person you know that does insulin, I so wish I was near you I would give you a vial. You could go to a clinic and they might give you an emergency supply. One last thing are you in the US last resort walmart has insulin cheap but it wont be the same type of insulin but its better than nothing. Furball, just to let you know, exercise in a T1 with blood sugar over about 250 (which can easily happen if you run out of insulin) can actually do damage, raise your blood sugar, and push you faster into DKA. Sakuro, definitely talk to your folks to try to get more. If you can't get any on your own, then seek out a clinic or emergency room. I'm sorry to sound so scary, but the bottom line is that a T1 without insulin can die, possibly within even just a few days if not treated properly. Make some phone calls - Continue reading >>
Understanding Our Bodies: Insulin
Almost everyone has heard of Insulin. You probably know that people with type 1 diabetes need to inject themselves with insulin to survive, and must constantly monitor the amount of sugar they eat. But what do you really know about insulin? What is its purpose in the body, and why do we need it? How does it relate to our diets? What happens when things go wrong with it? And why should anyone who doesn’t have diabetes give a hoot? Insulin is one of the most important hormones in the human body, and yet most people don’t really understand why our bodies make it or how what we eat affects the levels of insulin we produce. More so than any other hormone, our diet is key in regulating insulin levels, and thus a number of biological processes. As you’ll soon see, everyone should think about how what they eat impacts their body’s insulin release to be at their happiest and healthiest. Why We Need Insulin Every living thing requires energy to survive. In cells, energy is stored and shuttled around using a molecule called Adenosine Tri-Phosphate, or ATP. Whenever the cell then has an energy-requiring reaction, enzymes can use the energy stored in ATP’s phosphate bonds to fuel it. Cells rely on ATP to survive, and to create ATP, they rely on glucose. All cells, from bacteria and fungi to us, take glucose and use it to generate ATP by a process called Oxidative Phosphorylation. First, glucose is converted to an intermediate molecule called pyruvate via a process called glycolosis. As long as there is oxygen around, this pyruvate is further converted to Acetyl CoA, which enters a cycle of reactions called the Citric Acid Cycle. This takes the carbon to carbon bonds and uses them to create high energy electrons, which are then passed down a chain of enzymes which use the e Continue reading >>
Diabetes And You: When Your Body Decides To Stop Producing Insulin
Today, we’re going to learn a little more about diabetes. Did you know … according to the American Diabetes Association, 8.3% of the population—25.8 million children and adults in the United States—have diabetes?* Did you know … there are an additional 7 million people in the United States currently undiagnosed with diabetes? Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, causing high blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone your body uses to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although genetics and environmental factors, such as obesity and lack of exercise, appear to play roles. There are two different types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes since it is usually diagnosed in children or young adults, and type 2 diabetes, typically diagnosed in adults. Type 1: This type happens when your pancreas stops making insulin. Without insulin, sugar can’t get into your cells and stays in the blood stream, elevating blood sugar levels. People often seek medical help because they are seriously ill from sudden symptoms of high blood sugar. This type of diabetes can’t be prevented. Some of the symptoms include: frequent urination, unusual thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, and extreme fatigue and irritability. Type 2: Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with this disease and many more are unaware they are at a high risk. In this type, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. This type of diabetes can be prevented or delayed with a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a healthy weight, ea Continue reading >>
What To Do If You Run Out Of Insulin
We have read several tragic examples of people in the United States dying because of lack of insulin or because of an expired insulin prescription, and countless more stories of people skipping injections or meals because of the high price of insulin. We asked Jennifer Smith, a certified diabetes educator with Integrated Diabetes Management, to provide a guide of what do if you run out of insulin. Even if you know this information already, please share this so others know they have options. Since insulin is vital to the health of people with Type 1 diabetes, it is imperative to have access 24/7. If you run out of insulin or if your prescription happens to be expired, you’ll need to have a backup plan. High blood glucose levels from lack of insulin can lead very quickly to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a potentially deadly condition. sponsor Here are some suggestions for what to do: If you run out of insulin due to prescription lapse, the pharmacy can typically call your physician to get that prescription updated within the same day as long as you call during business hours. Also, a few states have passed laws allowing pharmacists to dispense insulin on an emergency basis from an expired prescription. Make sure you stress to the pharmacist the urgency of the situation, as some aren’t as well trained as others in matters of Type 1 diabetes care. If you have run out and it’s a holiday or weekend, or you can’t get ahold of the doctor, the best option is to have a backup plan for use of over-the-counter NPH and R insulin which can be purchased over the counter at Walmart as part of its ReliOn Brand. This option is available in all states save for Indiana. If there is no way to get insulin due to the time of day or cost, go to an Urgent Care clinic or an Emergency Room Continue reading >>
Survival Plan If You Run Out Of Insulin
Hello, I'm curious if anyone has thought of a survival plan if you run out of insulin. I'm kinda thinking about a natural disaster like a bad hurricane hit or massive flooding and you are really out there with nothing. Or, maybe there just isn't any insulin available because of war (doomsday) or whatever. Has anyone really given this some thought and if so what have you come up with? I think this is an interesting topic and would love to hear about what you have to say. Even so, what about having no insulin for a week or so because you're trapped in cabin during a snow storm. Thanks. Hello, I'm a type 2 diagnosed some 5 years ago and I have often thought about something major happening and running out of insulin. Gee, if it's for a short period of time say less than a week or so you could probably survive it considering that you had little food to eat (and ate small meals) but you would probably have to worry about hypos. Well that could easily be taken care of by some candies. Seems like I always have some form of candy around. On the short-term of things (say a week), I always take extra insulin with me so that wouldn't be a problem. If you had some insulin and gloom and doom came along you could probably use your fast-acting insulin in small does every hour or so to take care of your basal needs. Once that was gone, you could exercise as much as possible hopefully without wearing yourself out. This would be especially true if you pancreas is still making some insulin. Hopefully, you would have plenty of water to drink (that could be a problem if the water supply is contaminated. If you're stuck in an emergency shelter, you might be okay with water and possibly some medical help. In the case of mass destruction, I think we're all in trouble whether diabetic or not. I Continue reading >>
How Dangerous Is It To Be Out Of Insulin?
How dangerous is it to be out of insulin? I am a diabetic and I ran out of insulin Thanksgiving and my doctors office is closed for the weekend... How do I get more or do I just wait till Monday? Update: I didn't realize I was out till I couldn't find my extra bottles anywhere... I thought I had an extra bottle in the frig and I didn't, so I was caught by surprise... Are you sure you want to delete this answer? Best Answer: I would go to you pharmacy and explain the situation. They will probably give you enough till you can see your Dr. Yes, what you heard is true. It first will cause the blood sugars to fall dangerously low, then the person may lose consciousness, have seizures, go into a coma, and possibly death. Many that have had an over dose simply fall into a coma for several hours, I have had that happen to a relative of mine. It all depends on how much insulin was taken, and if the person is a diabetic or not. Those that are not diabetic can have a more serious reaction. My doctors have always told me that hypoglycemia is extremely dangerous and they worry about it more than having a high blood sugar reading because, you can have a lot of high readings with no immediate damage, but just one bout of hypoglycemia can kill you. And yes, you can have permenant brain damage from a seizure or coma. And just for your info..The other poster is wrong...the most drug of choice to euthinize an animal is a barbituate called pentobaritol. It kills in less than a minute, insulin takes longer and can cause seizure and actually make it a horrible death. Right now I work with a vet and am doing my last semester for my own vet degree, and we have never used or recommended using insulin purpose. It has never has never been recommened to us in any of my classes for this either. Pe Continue reading >>
Ask D'mine: Our Lifespan Sans Insulin?
Got questions about navigating life with diabetes? Ask D'Mine! Our weekly advice column, that is — hosted by veteran type 1,diabetes author and educator Wil Dubois. This week, Wil offers some thoughts on that universal question: "How long can I really go without insulin?" Please take a read; his findings might surprise you and even bust a myth or two. But as a precautionary reminder: this topic would fall into the category of "Don't try this at home"! {Got your own questions? Email us at [email protected]} Jake, type 1 from Minneapolis, writes: I've had diabetes for 18 years and I had someone ask me a question the other day that I didn't really have an answer to. The question was how long I would be able to survive without any insulin. I told them 3-4 days, but I don't know if this is true. Any info from a cinnamon whiskey swizzling T1? [email protected] D'Mine answers: If Tom Hanks' character in Castaway had been one of us, he would've never lived long enough to go half-crazy and end up talking to a volleyball named Wilson. OK, so that's a mixed blessing. But I guess the lesson there is: don't get washed up on a deserted island if you can avoid it. To be honest, like you, I had always pegged my zero-insulin survival time in the "couple of days" zone; but once I got to thinking about your question I realized that I didn't know how I knew that, where I learned it, or if it was even correct at all. So I set out to do some fact-checking. Now, as background for you sugar-normals, type 2s, and type 3s—in type 1s like Jake and me, if we run out of insulin hyperglycemia sets in. That leads to diabetic ketoacidosis (known as DKA by its friends), which then (untreated) leads to death. This is old news. But how fast is the process, really? Well, there are a number of variables, Continue reading >>
Missing Insulin Injections
Tweet Missed insulin injections are much more of a pain than the injections themselves and can cause a headache as to what effect a late injection will have and what dose should be administered. We look at this common problem and provide some guidance. Always remember that if you are at all unsure what to do, you should contact your health team for advice rather than risk making a mistake. In this article, when it says contact your health team, note that you may need to contact your out of hours service if your health team is not available. Common causes of missed injections Commonly cited reasons for missed injections include: Forgetting to take insulin Oversleeping Not having your injection kit with you Running out of insulin Having a fear of needles Deliberately missing insulin If you have problems with forgetting injections, see our forgetting injections guide dedicated to help prevent problems with forgetting to inject and if you forget whether you have injected or not. What to do if an insulin injection is missed There is not a set rule of what to do if an injection is missed as it can depend on how long ago the injection was meant to be administered and what type of insulin was to be taken. We provide some general tips but if you are in doubt, it is best to consult your health team and follow their advice. If long term/basal insulin was forgotten If you forget to take your long term insulin (basal insulin) and you realise relatively soon, it should usually be fine to inject your usual dose if the dose is given within 2 hours of when it should have been done. In this case, you’ll need to be aware that the injection was taken later and so the insulin will also be active in your body later than it would usually be. In some cases this could increase the chance of h Continue reading >>
- Exosomes are the Missing Link to Insulin Resistance in Diabetes
- Relative effectiveness of insulin pump treatment over multiple daily injections and structured education during flexible intensive insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes: cluster randomised trial (REPOSE)
- 10 Silent Diabetes Symptoms You Might Be Missing
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Injecting Insulin…
But Didn’t Know to Ask Just take your shot. What could be easier, right? Well, you’d be surprised how many errors are made by “veteran” insulin users. It turns out there’s nothing basic about the basics of insulin injections. However, you can improve your technique. This article takes a look at the nitty-gritty details behind successful insulin delivery, why they matter, and how to avoid common pitfalls. The gear Realistically, there are two delivery systems when it comes to injecting insulin: syringes and pens. Yes, there are pumps, but that’s a whole other subject. And yes, there are jet injectors, but they are not widely used. Syringes. The first-ever human insulin shot was delivered by syringe in 1922, and here in the United States, more than half of all insulin is still delivered via syringe. Syringes used to be made of glass, had to be sterilized between uses, and had long, thick, steel surgical needles that could be resharpened on a kitchen whetstone. (No kidding.) But syringes have come a long way since then. Syringes are now disposable, the barrels are made of plastic, and the needles are thin, high-tech, multi-beveled, and coated with lubricants to make them enter the skin smoothly. (Bevels are the slanted surfaces on a needle that create a sharp point.) In the old days, the needle and the syringe were separate components. Nowadays most insulin syringes come with the needle attached. People who use syringes almost always purchase insulin in vials. Vials are glass bottles that generally hold 1,000 units of insulin. Pens. Insulin pens date from the mid-1980s, and while syringes still predominate in the United States, much of the rest of the world has traded in syringes for insulin pens. Pens currently come in two varieties: disposable, prefilled pens Continue reading >>
!run Out Of Insulin!
im on 4 injections a day. 3 is novo rapid nd 1 is lantus. i know all u lot r gonna kane me for doin this but the otherday i was running low on supplies on pretty much everythin. i had enough, i wernt desperado, but i needed to re-order all my stocks of medicine. so i re-ordered and it wud be ready in bout 2 days. but the next day i went to take my lantus before bed and realised i never had enough in the cartridge. so i went to the fridge to get another 1 but i had completely run out. so i thought o shizzle! wat am i supposed to do now. so what i done was inject evrythin that was left in the cartridge (bout half of my actual dosage) and gave myself some rapid aswell. i just hoped that it would work and that all the stuff was ready 4 collection the next day. luckily my plan worked and i got all the stuff the next day and evrythin turned out all gravy lol. but i was jus thinkin if anyone on here has completely run out before, like altogether. and what did you do or what wud u do if it ever happend?? D.D. Family Kidney/Pancreas transplant recipient Don't worry about it, you did absolutely the right thing! It's happened to me a couple of times before and I did what you did. Just had to make sure I kept a closer eye on my blood sugar levels and inject more quick acting if necessary later on. Glad it all worked out ok in the end..don't beat yourself up about it...you're only human! Nope, I have never run out, or even low, on diabetic supplies. I keep a generous amount of insulin on hand, usually I have an average of about 10 bottles in the fridge. I'm down to 5 bottles now, which less than typical. I'll reorder shortly. With strips I have many months worth stockpiled. Insulin is what keeps me alive, so I make sure I've got plenty. Presumably you learned a valuable lesson by r Continue reading >>
Type 1 - Running Out Of Insulin? | Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community
Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community I'm often finding myself running out of insulin or running close to barely being able to make the month with the amount I have. I use about 5 pens a month( lost my sensitivity to insulin, it's been almost 11 years). I was wondering if it would be possible to just low carb the rest of the month? I have 2 pens left to last me until the 30th of April. Last month I had to get my insulin early, because I had run completely out. I don't believe they'll let me do this again, and will simply tell me to wait until the 30th. But any advice on how to conserve insulin/low carb my way through? Or any other advice because I'm freaking out. Thanks in advance! Hi @mayannaise , whereabouts are you based. In the UK, no-one should be telling you you can't get insulin when you need it, and if you are in the UK, you have every right to go back to your GP and politely ask them why they are trying to kill you. I'm often finding myself running out of insulin or running close to barely being able to make the month with the amount I have. I use about 5 pens a month( lost my sensitivity to insulin, it's been almost 11 years). I was wondering if it would be possible to just low carb the rest of the month? I have 2 pens left to last me until the 30th of April. Last month I had to get my insulin early, because I had run completely out. I don't believe they'll let me do this again, and will simply tell me to wait until the 30th. But any advice on how to conserve insulin/low carb my way through? Or any other advice because I'm freaking out. Thanks in advance! If you're running out then clearly your surgery isn't giving you enough. Speak to them and explain that you need more. Try to Continue reading >>
The Liver & Blood Sugar
During a meal, your liver stores sugar for later. When you’re not eating, the liver supplies sugar by turning glycogen into glucose in a process called glycogenolysis. The liver both stores and produces sugar… The liver acts as the body’s glucose (or fuel) reservoir, and helps to keep your circulating blood sugar levels and other body fuels steady and constant. The liver both stores and manufactures glucose depending upon the body’s need. The need to store or release glucose is primarily signaled by the hormones insulin and glucagon. During a meal, your liver will store sugar, or glucose, as glycogen for a later time when your body needs it. The high levels of insulin and suppressed levels of glucagon during a meal promote the storage of glucose as glycogen. The liver makes sugar when you need it…. When you’re not eating – especially overnight or between meals, the body has to make its own sugar. The liver supplies sugar or glucose by turning glycogen into glucose in a process called glycogenolysis. The liver also can manufacture necessary sugar or glucose by harvesting amino acids, waste products and fat byproducts. This process is called gluconeogenesis. When your body’s glycogen storage is running low, the body starts to conserve the sugar supplies for the organs that always require sugar. These include: the brain, red blood cells and parts of the kidney. To supplement the limited sugar supply, the liver makes alternative fuels called ketones from fats. This process is called ketogenesis. The hormone signal for ketogenesis to begin is a low level of insulin. Ketones are burned as fuel by muscle and other body organs. And the sugar is saved for the organs that need it. The terms “gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis and ketogenesis” may seem like compli Continue reading >>
Insulin And Diabetes
Insulin is a hormone that is produced by your body to break down glucose (sugar) from the food you eat so it can be used for energy. Glucose is found in foods that contain carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta, rice and potatoes, as well as in sugary sweets and drinks. If you have diabetes, your body can’t properly break down the glucose in your body and turn it into energy. All people with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes need regular insulin replacement to keep their blood sugar level under control. Storing insulin Insulin must be stored correctly to work properly. It can be kept at room temperature (below 30 degrees Celsius) for a maximum of one month. Spare insulin should always be kept in the fridge. Never put insulin in the freezer. Taking insulin Your doctor or diabetes nurse or educator will have given you advice about taking insulin. It is important that you always follow this advice exactly. Contact your diabetes nurse or educator if you: have forgotten or missed a dose of insulin are late taking your insulin have not taken enough insulin. If you take too much insulin Taking too much insulin or other diabetes medicines can cause your blood sugar level to drop too low. This is known as ‘hypoglycaemia’ or a ‘hypo’, and can develop into a serious situation if not addressed. If you think you have taken too much insulin, check your blood sugar level as soon as possible, and repeat this frequently. If your blood sugar level is low, you will need to address this straight away. If you take too little insulin Taking too little insulin can cause your blood sugar level to rise too high. This is called hyperglycaemia. If you have forgotten or missed a dose of insulin, or not taken enough insulin: Do not take the missed dose or extra insulin unl Continue reading >>
- Relative effectiveness of insulin pump treatment over multiple daily injections and structured education during flexible intensive insulin treatment for type 1 diabetes: cluster randomised trial (REPOSE)
- Insulin, glucagon and somatostatin stores in the pancreas of subjects with type-2 diabetes and their lean and obese non-diabetic controls
- Relative contribution of type 1 and type 2 diabetes loci to the genetic etiology of adult-onset, non-insulin-requiring autoimmune diabetes
