You may not think about insulin until you need it. If you or someone you love suffers from diabetes, you may have heard of NPH insulin. But what is it? Is it safe? And how can it affect your body?
The good news is, NPH insulin is safe for diabetes patients to take at the direction of their healthcare professionals, and most people have no side effects at all. However, there are some side effects that can take a severe toll on the body. Here we explain how insulin works and what kinds of symptoms you may experience if you do have side effects.
What Is NPH Insulin?
NPH insulin is the generic name for a type of insulin used to regulate blood sugar in patients with Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. As an intermediate-acting insulin, NPH insulin starts to work more slowly than regular insulin, but it also lasts longer. Since it starts to work more slowly, it may also be used in conjunction with a faster acting insulin for maximum effectiveness.
What Is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone naturally produced by the body to regulate blood sugar. It is also available in manufactured form for medicinal uses and is commonly used by diabetes patients to keep their blood sugar within healthy ranges. Insulin works by helping blood sugar (glucose) get into cells so that your body can use the sugar for energy. If your body does not produce enough insulin on its own, you may be diabetic and require medical insulin to keep your blood sugar at normal levels.
There are four basic types of insulin available: fast-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting. Fast-acting insulin begins to work within five to fifteen minutes and remains active in the body for three to four hours. Short-acting insulin begins working within 30 minutes and is active for five to eight hours.Intermediate-acting insulin begins working within one to three hours and remains active for 16 to 24 hours. NPH insulin is a form of intermediate-acting insulin. Long-acting insulin begins working within one to two hours of administration and continues to work in the body for about 24 hours.
Who Needs NPH Insulin?
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Diabetes patients who suffer from Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes can benefit from NPH insulin. Controlling blood sugar levels helps prevent kidney and nerve damage, blindness, and loss of limbs. Proper treatment of diabetes may also lessen the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Dosage
Check Your Blood Sugar
What Are the Side Effects of NPH Insulin?
Nearly every drug on the market has potential side effects, and NPH insulin is no exception. Most of the time, side effects are mild and pose no threat to your health. Sometimes, however, your body may react negatively to a medication and your doctor should be notified immediately.
You may experience mild reactions at the injection site, such as pain, redness, or irritation. This is a normal reaction and is normally not life-threatening. However, if these symptoms persist or get worse, you should call your doctor. You may also experience weight gain or water retention in some cases. There are some side effects of NPH insulin that can be dangerous if not treated quickly.
Allergic Reaction
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia)
Precautions
Before taking any medication, tell your doctor your medical history, especially if you have a history of kidney or liver disease or thyroid problems. You should also tell your doctor all the medications you are currently taking, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs (over-the-counter) and any herbal or vitamin supplements. Limit alcohol intake when using NPH insulin, because it can increase your risk of developing low blood sugar.
It may be harder to control your blood sugar when your body is under extra stress, such as from infection, injury, or surgery. You should consult your doctor when this occurs because it may require a change in your treatment or blood sugar testing. Older adults and children may be more sensitive to side effects of NPH insulin, especially low blood sugar.
If you are pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Pregnancy may worsen existing diabetes, but some women also develop diabetes during pregnancy. If this is the case, discuss your diabetes treatment with your doctor and develop a plan to manage your blood sugar. NPH insulin may pass into the breast milk, but is unlikely to harm a nursing baby. Consult with your doctor before breast-feeding because this may affect your insulin needs.
Conclusion
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When your doctor prescribes medicine for you, it is because they have weighed the benefits and the risks and have determined that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Most people do not have serious side effects from taking insulin.
You should always take NPH insulin as directed by your doctor and check your blood sugar regularly to make sure that your body is responding properly. If you experience any symptoms of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, tell your doctor so that you can work together to adjust your dosage and get the best results. If you have any questions about your medications, or think you are suffering from side effects, tell your doctor.
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