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Managing blood sugar levels is essential for individuals with diabetes. Understanding how insulin and medications work helps in making informed decisions about treatment options and lifestyle adjustments.
What Is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels. It allows cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream for energy or storage. People with diabetes may need to take insulin if their bodies do not produce enough or cannot use it effectively.
Types of Insulin
There are several types of insulin, categorized by how quickly they start working and how long their effects last. Common types include:
- Rapid-acting insulin
- Short-acting insulin
- Intermediate-acting insulin
- Long-acting insulin
Medications for Blood Sugar Control
Besides insulin, various medications are used to manage blood sugar levels. These include oral drugs and injectable medications that work through different mechanisms to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce glucose production, or increase insulin secretion.
Common Blood Sugar Medications
- Metformin
- Sulfonylureas
- GLP-1 receptor agonists
- SGLT2 inhibitors