Diabetes has emerged as one of the most widely prevalent diseases across the globe. It is characterized by the reduction in the insulin levels in the body. The treatment of the disease focuses on maintaining the blood glucose levels, which may have to be done by administering insulin to the patients. A majority of patients squirm at the thought of using this therapy for diabetes treatment, mainly because there are several myths and misconceptions that give it a bad reputation. Let us have a look at some of the most common myths related to insulin therapy and try to clear them for you.
Myth 1: Insulin therapy is needed by all diabetics
This is one myth that needs to be debunked. Insulin therapy is must for people with type 1 diabetes and these patients formulate only 5-10% of the entire diabetic population. On the other hand, the remaining ones who are afflicted by type 2 diabetes may not require it. They may need it only in specific conditions and for a limited time period, such as during pregnancy or while undergoing a surgical procedure. Type 2 diabetics who are unable to synthesize the required level of insulin or process it properly may need the therapy for long term.
Myth 2: When the doctor prescribes insulin, it indicates that diabetes is serious
If a patient think that their condition has turned serious just because the doctor has prescribed insulin, they may be absolutely wrong. The fact is that the therapy will simply help in establishing significant diabetes control rather than being an indication of the disease turning worse. This is a progressive disease that needs to be controlled, with or without insulin.
Myth 3: Once you start taking insulin, you have to take it for a lifetime
People with type 2 diabetes may be prescribed insulin therapy during specific situations such as pregnancy. This means that it can be stopped after the delivery. Similarly, the doctor may recommend it if the patient is struggling with blood sugar control but may later stop it if they are able to achieve it by adopting a healthy lifestyle with the right diet and regular exercise.
Myth 4: Insulin injections are painful
Since insulin has to be injected subcutaneously, most people believe that it can be really painful. But the fact is that the Lantus insulin pen gives a virtually painless experience to the patients. These tiny injector pens come with a super-thin needle that just needs to be placed on the skin and snapped quickly to inject the medicine without any pain. Since you may have to spend a considerable amount on them, it is advisable to use a Lantus manufacturer coupon to reduce the price of your regular dosage.
Myth 5: Insulin may make one fat
Another common myth associated with insulin therapy is that it may result in weight gain. Although diabetics using this therapy tend to weight gain, it is not because of the medication itself because it rather improves the capacity to use the food more efficiently. The solution lies in taking a low-sugar, low-fat diet and doing regular exercise to prevent unprecedented weight gain.
Myth 6: Insulin is addictive
If you believe that insulin therapy will be addictive, then you probably do not have your facts right. It is a medication and not a drug. In fact, the body naturally synthesizes this hormone right from the birth and the therapy just fulfills the shortcoming due to the reduced production during diabetes. This means that it cannot be addictive even if the patient is taking multiple insulin shots every day.
Myth 7: Insulin can lower the blood sugar levels dangerously
Hypoglycemia is the condition that is caused by the fall in blood sugar levels below the normal. Though insulin therapy is associated with hypoglycemia, it can happen only if the patient fails to take the right doses at the right time. Also, there is a need to pay attention to the diet and also keep a check on the blood sugar levels.
Myth 8: Taking insulin during pregnancy can harm the baby
Another common myth about the therapy is that it is not safe for pregnant women as the medication can harm the baby. But the truth is that only the minimal amounts of insulin are able to cross the placenta and they are not enough to cause any damage to the fetus. Also, pregnant women with high blood glucose need to take insulin under expert supervision.
Now that these myths related to insulin therapy have been debunked, you can resolve the fears about it and take it more comfortably for effective treatment of diabetes.
