Reviewing 12 Misconceptions About Insulin
Core Tip: When it comes to insulin, what most people think of is: difficult, painful, and scary. However, diabetic patients should eliminate their misunderstandings about insulin, as a correct understanding helps to better protect their health. The American magazine "Health" recently published 12 misconceptions about insulin and type 2 diabetes, summarized by diabetes experts.
1. Diabetics always need insulin.
Not necessarily. Patients with type 1 diabetes (5%-10%) do indeed need insulin. However, patients with type 2 diabetes (90%-95%) may not need it. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that among adult diabetics, only 14% use insulin, 13% use insulin and oral medications, 57% use only oral medications, and 16% control their blood sugar through diet and exercise.
2. Injecting insulin means all efforts to control diabetes have failed.
Dr. Jill Crandall, a professor of medicine and diabetes expert at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, said that type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, and patients need to maintain healthy blood sugar levels long-term. Proper diet and exercise are always important, but medication varies from person to person. A large number of type 2 diabetic patients will eventually need insulin therapy, but this should not be seen as a "failure."
3. Injecting insulin is very painful.
Dr. Crandall said that today's needles are extremely fine, and insulin injections are nearly painless. Most patients report that pricking their fingertips for blood glucose tests is more painful than injecting insulin.
4. Insulin can cause dangerous hypoglycemia.
This is possible, but the likelihood is low. Type 2 diabetic patients have a lower risk of hypoglycemia than type 1 diabetic patients. Most type 2 diabetic patients can easily recognize hypoglycemic symptoms such as anxiety, hand tremors, sweating, and extreme hunger. A small intake of sugar (diluted fruit juice, glucose tablets, etc.) can quickly reverse hypoglycemia.
5. Once you start using insulin, you can't stop.
Not necessarily. Dr. Crandall said that some type 2 diabetic patients only need insulin temporarily, such as when they are first diagnosed or during pregnancy. Some patients no longer need insulin injections after losing weight naturally or through weight-loss surgery; however, other patients may always need insulin injections.
6. Insulin is difficult to inject.
Dr. Crandall said that today, patients use pen-shaped insulin injectors, which are convenient to carry, do not require refrigeration, and are typically injected only once a day.
7. Oral medications are better than insulin.
Oral diabetes medications like metformin have been very effective in lowering blood sugar for many years. However, Dr. Crandall said that oral medications do not work for every patient. For some patients, injecting insulin is the simplest and most effective treatment method.
8. Insulin causes weight gain.
Some patients do gain weight after starting insulin therapy. However, insulin therapy itself does not cause weight gain. Dr. Crandall explained that the reason is that after treatment, the body can process blood sugar more effectively, leading to weight gain, but this is only temporary.
9. Type 2 diabetics cannot produce their own insulin.
This statement is completely wrong. Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance. In the early stages of the disease, the body produces insulin at levels higher than normal, a condition known as "hyperinsulinemia." Insulin injections help overcome insulin resistance and can replace naturally produced insulin.
10. Using insulin means the diabetes is "severe."
Diabetes itself is a serious disease, regardless of the treatment method. In fact, high blood sugar is toxic to the body and damages vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. Therefore, whether it's improving diet, increasing exercise, taking pills, or injecting insulin, the key is to ensure that blood sugar is controlled within a healthy range.
11. Insulin needs to be injected daily.
Not necessarily. Insulin injection is selective. Typically, it is injected once a day (usually in the evening) to mimic the body's natural fluctuations in insulin levels. Insulin injections can also be combined with oral medications. If blood sugar remains high, multiple injections before meals may be needed each day.
12. Insulin is the last resort for diabetes treatment.
Dr. Crandall said that although some patients choose to inject insulin after trying various treatments, this is not the best treatment strategy. Some patients begin insulin therapy only after complications have already developed, and long-term high blood sugar increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, etc. The earlier insulin therapy is started, the lower the likelihood of developing complications.