Insulin
Insulin was discovered almost 90 years ago (in 1921) and was one of the most important medical breakthroughs in modern times. It helps to treat people with diabetes and helps them to live longer and healthier lives.
All people with type 1 diabetes and many people with type 2 diabetes take insulin to replace the insulin they no longer make on their own.
The three ways to get insulin into your body are to inject it with an insulin pen, syringe, or insulin pump. You can't take insulin as a pill because the acid in your stomach would stop it from working. So insulin has to be injected.
Some people don't like the idea of injections. They worry that insulin injections might be painful. But the needles used today are very small. This makes injecting insulin practically pain free. Learn more about needles that are practically pain free.
In people who do not have diabetes, insulin made by the body rises to match the sugar rise in the blood after a meal or snack. Blood sugar is usually highest about one to two hours after a meal. High blood sugar levels tell the body to release insulin into the bloodstream to help the sugar get into the cells.
Types of insulin
It's best to help keep your blood sugar levels in your target range. You may take one or two different types of insulin. The types of insulin differ in their onset of action (when they start to work), their time of peak action (when their effect on blood sugar is the strongest), and their duration of action in the body (how long they work).
There are several types of insulin.
Rapid-acting and short-acting insulin is usually taken before meals. Learn more about Novo Nordisk rapid-acting insulin.
Intermediate and long-acting insulin is usually taken at supper or bedtime. Learn more about Novo Nordisk long-acting insulin.
Some types of premixed insulin provide rapid-acting and intermediate-acting in a single dose. This type of insulin is usually taken before breakfast, before the evening meal, or at both times. Learn more about Novo Nordisk premixed insulin.
Talk with your doctor or diabetes care team about which type of insulin is best for you. Because each of us is different, it may take a while to find the correct type and dose of insulin.
