The Importance of Insulin Types and Nutrition Management for Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus The terms onset, peak, and duration are used to describe insulins' effectiveness in lowering blood glucose. Onset refers to the length of time insulin hits the bloodstream to lower blood glucose; the peak is the time insulin is at its maximum effect in lowering blood glucose while duration is the length of time insulin takes to lower blood glucose. Long and short-acting insulin are two types of insulin that are used to control diabetes. Short-acting insulin takes 15 to 30 minutes to lower blood sugar levels while long-acting insulin takes several hours after injection to take effect. Short-acting insulin peaks at 1-3 hours after injection while long-acting insulin does not have a peak since it works to stabilize blood sugar at fair rates throughout the day. The duration of short-acting insulin is only a few hours after injection while long-acting insulin takes 24 hours or more depending on the type of medication administered. Short-acting insulin replaces the flow of insulin that a healthy pancreas would produce during meals contrasting long-acting insulin that mimics insulin flow of a healthy pancreas during sleep or between meals. Nutrition is an important aspect for patients with diabetes and maintains a healthy diet helps manage blood sugar levels at an ideal range. Carl Rogers is a patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and needs to know what to eat and the combinations of foods required. The most important element a nurse needs to address is the carbohydrate count and portion size of food. Carbohydrates play a huge role in determining blood sugar levels. According to (Ojo), “a low carbohydrate diet (LCD), replacing some staple foods with nuts such as tree nuts and groundnuts, has been shown to reduce weight, improve blood glucose, and regulate blood lipid...