Inhaled Insulin: A Viable Alternative Or A Passing Fad?

By Julia Hanf in Diabetes on February 1st, 2008

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by Julia Hanf

Insulin, a hormone produced by the Islets of Langerhans in your pancreas, plays an integral role the process of digestion, enabling your body to recognize the presence of glucose and thus assimilate and utilize it. Diabetes occurs either when your body fails to produce the requisite amounts of insulin, or fails to discern the presence of this hormone altogether, which leads to the unused glucose flooding your bloodstream. And thus, the most effective way to regulate these wayward blood glucose levels is to administer insulin to the body, which prevents diabetes from complicating into its more advanced stages.

The traditional method of administering insulin via several evenly-spaced injections through the day has achieved reasonable success in letting diabetics gain better control over the amount of glucose present in their blood and is also considered to be a reasonably foolproof method of dealing with diabetes. However, the problem arises when this method has to be implemented for in cases of juvenile diabetics, or even the elderly who may find this method distressing and tremendously inconvenient. As a result, a large number of diabetics prefer to deal with their disease only when the symptoms attain the stature of the unavoidable, regarding insulin injections with as much distaste as they perceive the disease itself.

With the recent spike in diabetes victims, researchers have begun to analyze and develop alternative means of administering insulin, which is believed to bring down the alarming number of diabetes related deaths by a substantial percentage. One of the major criteria in developing such a method has been ease of use, to encourage diabetics to a healthier approach to treating this disease. One such method that has proved itself both in the scientific and public realms is Inhaled Insulin.

Inhaled insulin is administered through a device, which lets you breathe in this hormone through your mouth. The amount of insulin that is to be inhaled depends on the specific dosage that has been recommended to you, as per the extent to which this disease has developed and how diligent you are with your diet and exercise regime. Scientists have also considered, and discarded, the option of inhaling insulin through your nose, as the membranes of your nasal cavity prevent a large percentage of this insulin from assign through. This, in turn, would compel you to ingest tremendously high doses of insulin, just to make sure that your body is receiving the amount it needs.

These inhalers make use of insulin blisters, which you can moderate as per your physician’s instructions. Once inhaled, the insulin immediately begins to take effect, bringing down your glucose levels in as little as 20 minutes after it is administered. The glucose regulating effect that this insulin brings about lasts for an average of 6 hours, which has also given rise to the problem of this method being more of a quick-fix than a steady, reliable method of insulin administration.

Inhaled insulin is also off-limits for individuals who suffer from respiratory disorders like asthma, while also those who tend to smoke excessively. This is because this form of insulin administration can bring about after effects like chest pain, nosebleed and a sore throat. In individuals who are particularly prone to allergic reactions, inhaled insulin can also cause wheezing, itching, hives and rashes, which makes it an unfeasible alternative for pregnant women.

Inhaled insulin has a number of conspicuous advantages over its injected counterpart, however, to guard against the possible after-effects, make sure you physician is well-aware and approving of your decision to switch to inhaled insulin. Certain medical practitioners also strongly recommend a thorough physical examination to ward off any unpleasant surprises. Diabetes therapy is only effective when practiced on a regular basis and with diligence and here, inhaled insulin is no exception. Broaden your horizons with regards to diabetes treatment today you’ll be surprised at how simple and trouble-free treating this disease can be!

About the Author:

Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.