Intensive insulin therapy

Intensive insulin therapy is a therapeutic regimen for diabetes treatment. This therapy aims to mimic the body's natural insulin secretion to maintain blood glucose levels within a specified target range. It involves multiple daily injections or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) through an insulin pump.

Overview

Intensive insulin therapy was first introduced in the 1970s. It is a more aggressive approach to managing blood glucose levels than conventional insulin therapy. The goal is to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible, which is typically between 70 and 130 mg/dL before meals, and less than 180 mg/dL two hours after starting a meal.

Method

Intensive insulin therapy typically involves a combination of long-acting (basal) insulin and rapid-acting (bolus) insulin. The basal insulin is usually injected once or twice daily to provide a steady level of insulin throughout the day. The bolus insulin is injected at meal times to control the rise in blood glucose that occurs after eating.

Benefits

Intensive insulin therapy can help to prevent or delay the complications of diabetes, including retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. It can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is a major cause of death in people with diabetes.

Risks

The main risk associated with intensive insulin therapy is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This can occur if too much insulin is administered, if a meal is missed or delayed, or if physical activity is increased without adjusting the insulin dose.

See also

• Insulin
• Diabetes management
• Insulin pump
• Insulin resistance