Agra. A senior doctor based in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, while making diabetic patients aware, has said that taking insulin does not make it a habit. Many patients get scared thinking that once insulin is started, they will have to take it for the rest of their life, whereas this is not necessary. According to doctors, when the patient’s sugar increases too much or the medicines do not work, then insulin is given temporarily. After the sugar is controlled, it can be stopped and the medicines can be brought back on the basis of investigation.

Why is insulin given in high sugar?
According to Dr. Ashish Mittal, senior doctor of Agra, insulin is mainly given to Type-1 diabetes patients right from the beginning, whereas in Type-2 diabetes, it is given when the pills do not work, sugar becomes too high or there is a special condition like pregnancy. He told that sometimes in emergency situations like surgery, serious illness or diabetic ketoacidosis, it becomes necessary to give insulin, so that blood sugar can be controlled quickly.

According to the doctor:
1) Rapid-acting insulin is taken about 15 minutes before meals.
2) Short-acting insulin is given 30-45 minutes earlier.
It is given in the form of injection as per the doctor’s advice.

Is insulin addictive?
Dr. Ashish Mittal clarified that insulin is not a drug and it does not cause addiction. This is only a medical treatment, the aim of which is to control sugar. In type-2 diabetes, insulin is often given for some time in the beginning of the disease. When the sugar level becomes normal, the patient can be shifted back to tablets. He said that patients should avoid rumors or misconceptions and should consult the nearest doctor in case of any concerns. Diabetes can be controlled effectively by taking the right treatment at the right time.