Years ago, insulin was derived from animals and injected by a needle. Patients often needed multiple insulin injections throughout the day. There were problems with the insulin derived from beef and pork and many patients developed a resistance to the insulin after a period of time. In 1977, modern technology in the treatment of diabetes took a giant leap as human insulin was cloned. Today, insulin to treat diabetes is human insulin and is much more effective than insulin used in the past.

There are many different types of insulin on the market today and, as is the case with oral medications, it may take several different insulin types in order to find the correct balance that will insure good glucose levels. Some insulin, such as Humalog, is very short acting and peaks
within an hour after injection. Other insulin, such as Ultra Lente, is very long acting and peaks in 18 hours.

There are three characteristics to insulin. Onset is the time it takes for the drug to reach the bloodstream and begin lowering the glucose. The peak time is the time when the drug is at the
maximum strength and the duration is how long the drug continues to work in reducing the blood glucose level.

Each patient has different needs when it comes to insulin and for this reason, there are many
different types of the drug. Cost is also a consideration in many cases as the insulin must be
injected every day and, in certain instances, many people have to inject the insulin several times a day.

Another benefit of modern technology in managing people with diabetes through the use of insulin is the insulin pump. This is much more effective than injections as it is a catheter that remains under the skin and separates the insulin into three different types of insulin. Basal insulin is injected continuously. Bolus doses are given to cover any carbohydrates consumed in a meal. You can also have correction doses or supplemental doses. This is especial y effective if your blood sugars are high prior to eating.

The use of the insulin pump is much more effective than using injections as it controls your insulin and blood glucose levels on a continuous basis. It is relatively easy to use and most people with Type I diabetes are using insulin pumps.

Not only people with Type I diabetes use insulin. Those with Type II diabetes who have been unable to control their blood sugars through diet and medication are often prescribed insulin. Because the insulin pump is so effective at retaining control of the blood glucose level, many people with Type II diabetes have also opted to use the insulin pump.

Medical science is continuing to search for a cure for diabetes which has reached epidemic
proportions in some areas. Until a cure is found, however, there are many ways to treat this disease. When someone gets a diagnoses of diabetes, they often panic and are overwhelmed at al of the information. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with diabetes, become empowered by learning al you can about treating the il ness, learning about different medications and making sure that you comply with orders given by your physician. Patients with diabetes who are compliant and learn about their disease stand the best chance of living a long and productive live, despite having diabetes.

However, Type II Diabetes has become nearly an epidemic in this country. Many in the medical
community believe that one of the reasons many people acquire this potential y life threatening
condition is from obesity. The diabetes epidemic has mirrored the obesity epidemic currently
overtaking the United States as wel as other countries. People consume foods that are high in
carbohydrates and sugars and low in nutrients at an alarming rate. We often think of diabetics
as being people with a sweet tooth who crave sugar. This is not the case. More often, a person
who is obese has more of a chance of getting diabetes than a person who maintains his or her
weight.

One way how to prevent diabetes is by managing your weight. Although there is little you can
do about having a genetic disposition to the disease, there are ways you can prevent becoming
one of the mil ions of Americans who develop diabetes each year.

When seeking how to prevent diabetes, the first thing a person can do is watch your weight.
Studies indicate that people who are overweight are more prone to developing diabetes. How
to prevent diabetes. Rule number one is manage your weight. One way to manage your
weight is to stay way from foods laden with saturated fats, and sugars. Stay away from fast
food, which is usual y high in fats, carbohydrates and sugars. Most fast food offer little in the
way of nutrition but are high in fat and carbohydrates.

Another way how to prevent diabetes is to exercise. Exercising regularly improves blood sugar
control. Because active muscles dispel glucose from blood quicker than non-exercised
muscles, regular exercise can do wonders in staving off or preventing diabetes. In addition,
regular exercise also helps to maintain stable weight, another factor in preventing obesity.

Again, the misconception that people contract diabetes through excessive consumption of
sugars is inaccurate. It is not only sugar that contributes to the disease. While it is good to
eliminate the use of excessive sugar in your diet, carbohydrates are also contributory to the
onset of diabetes. One way on how to prevent diabetes is becoming aware of the Glycemic
Index. The Glycemic Index was developed in 1981 and rates which carbohydrates are more
difficult to eliminate glucose from the blood.

When asking yourself how to prevent diabetes, focus your attention on your weight, exercise
and diet. In many cases, simple lifestyle changes can prevent someone from getting this
potential y life threatening disease.

When a person is diagnosed with pre-diabetes there is no set period of time that they have until they are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. With careful monitoring, a healthy eating plan and physical exercise the onset of diabetes can be delayed for months, years, or even forever.

Once a doctor determines that a patient is pre-diabetic an annual blood test will be ordered to ensure blood glucose levels are remaining at a healthy level. The doctor will probably request that a monitor is purchased and blood sugars are monitored on a semi-regular basis at home too.

There are many risk factors that are associated with pre-diabetes. They include:

* Being overweight or obese
* No physical activity
* Having had gestational diabetes
* If you are over the age of 45
* If members of your family have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes

Having the above risk factors makes it more likely you will be diagnosed but it does not mean it will happen. If you know that you are at risk, take your health into your own hands and work to create a healthier lifestyle so you can prevent pre-diabetes and the onset of type 2 diabetes. If you have question on how to do this, speak with your doctor for suggestions. He or she will probably recommend starting an easy exercise routine to get you active and help you lose weight.