Final answer:
Insulin therapy is essential for managing blood glucose levels, especially after meals, in individuals with diabetes. It involves regular monitoring to prevent both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Insulin is classified as a peptide hormone, and maintaining proper hydration is also important for individuals undergoing insulin therapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Important Principles of Insulin Therapy
Insulin therapy plays a critical role in managing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Insulin is a peptide hormone that is essential for regulating blood glucose levels. Post-prandial (after a meal) blood glucose levels are effectively managed by the administration of insulin, which facilitates the uptake of glucose into the liver, fat, and muscle cells, thereby reducing high blood sugar levels and preventing hyperglycemia. Conversely, in the absence of sufficient insulin, blood glucose levels remain high, which can lead to complications associated with diabetes, including organ damage.
An insulin tolerance test may be performed to evaluate an individual's response to insulin and to determine the appropriate insulin therapy required. During insulin therapy, monitoring is essential to prevent hypoglycemia, a condition where blood glucose levels drop too low, indicating that the dosage of insulin may be higher than needed and should be adjusted.
For those with type 1 diabetes, frequent blood sugar monitoring and lifelong insulin injections are necessary as there is no cure. Proper hydration is also important; while necessary for overall health, excessive water consumption can lead to water intoxication. Insulin falls under the biochemical compound class of peptides, and its injections are crucial for the transport and storage of glucose, helping to return blood glucose to normal levels after a meal.
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