Chapter 7 Insulin therapy

Chapter 7 Insulin therapy

Insulin therapy is a method of treating diabetes mellitus based on insulin injections. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood glucose levels. In people with diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or none at all. Insulin therapy helps compensate for this deficiency and maintain normal blood glucose levels.

The history of insulin therapy began with the discovery of insulin at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1921, physiologists Frederick Banting and Charles Best first isolated insulin from the dog's pancreas and demonstrated its effectiveness in treating diabetes in dogs and humans. They were awarded the Nobel Prize for their research. Subsequently, various types of insulin were developed, including short-acting, long-acting, and combination insulin.

With the advent of synthetic insulin in 1965, insulin therapy became more accessible and effective. Modern insulin preparations differ in the speed of action, duration of action and route of administration. Some drugs can only be administered subcutaneously, others intramuscularly or intravenously. There are also insulin pumps that automatically deliver insulin to your body throughout the day.

However, despite the variety of insulin preparations, insulin therapy remains a complex and demanding treatment method. To achieve ideal diabetes compensation, it is necessary to constantly monitor blood glucose levels and select the correct insulin dose. In addition, insulin therapy can cause side effects such as hypoglycemia, where blood glucose levels are too low, which can lead to unconsciousness or even death.

Despite all the difficulties, insulin therapy remains a necessary method of treating diabetes mellitus. Most people with diabetes live full lives thanks to insulin therapy and a healthy lifestyle. However, scientists continue to work on new diabetes treatments that may be more effective and safe. Perhaps in the future, insulin therapy will become easier and more convenient for patients, allowing them to live more comfortably and improve their quality of life.

In conclusion, insulin therapy is an important method of treating diabetes mellitus, which helps compensate for insulin deficiency in the body and maintain normal blood glucose levels. Although this treatment is complex and demanding, it remains necessary for most people with diabetes. Scientists continue to work on new treatments that may be more effective and safer, and we can hope that diabetes treatment will become easier and more convenient for patients in the future.