Final answer:
Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin with an onset of 30 minutes, peak at 2 to 3 hours, and duration up to 6 to 8 hours, used to manage blood sugar in diabetes. It is a peptide hormone that assists glucose uptake into cells, essential in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regular Insulin: Drug Type, Onset, Peak, and Duration
Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin, which is a type of medication used to treat diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels. The onset of regular insulin is typically 30 minutes, and it reaches its peak effect at around 2 to 3 hours after injection. The duration of its action can last up to 6 to 8 hours. This profile of action is important for managing blood sugar levels in individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), also known as type 1 diabetes.
Insulin is a peptide hormone categorized within the biochemical compounds known as proteins or polypeptides. Its primary function is to facilitate the uptake of glucose by the cells, thus lowering blood sugar levels. To understand this, it is essential to know how the body responds to insulin and glucose. Upon the sensing of increased glucose levels, a body with normal glucose metabolism will release insulin to help cells absorb glucose, bringing levels back to normal. This is the core mechanism for managing blood sugar; however, in the cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, this process is impaired.
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin due to an autoimmune reaction that destroys insulin-producing beta cells, requiring insulin replacement therapy. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, stems from insulin resistance or inadequate insulin secretion, with symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue. Dietary changes can significantly influence type 2 diabetes management.