
How to use basal insulin: Benefits, types, and dosage
Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas that is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. Diabetes is a condition where the body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it properly.
People diagnosed with diabetes benefit from increasing their body's natural insulin levels by injecting insulin.
Different types of insulin are available. They can be classed by:
how quickly they work (onset time)
how long their effects last (duration)
when they peak (peak time)
Basal insulin is one type of insulin that is available, and it plays a vital role in managing diabetes.
Contents of this article:
What is basal insulin?
Basal insulin is also known as background insulin. It helps to keep blood sugar levels stable during periods of fasting, such as between meals or during sleep.
During these times, the body keeps releasing sugar (also known as glucose) into the bloodstream. This gives energy to the body's cells.
Basal insulin helps to keep levels of this glucose in check. The insulin reaches the bloodstream several hours after injection.
It keeps glucose levels constant throughout the day and night. In general, basal insulin remains in the system for 18-24 hours.
Types of basal insulin
There are two main types of basal insulin:
Long-acting insulin
This type of insulin may be recommended for several types of diabetes. It generally acts in the body for up to 24 hours, although some types can last longer than this.
Depending on the type of insulin used and patient needs, long-acting basal insulin should be injected either once or twice daily.
Long-acting insulin tends to have no peak
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