2. Why does insulin have to be injected?
Insulin must be injected or given via an insulin pump. It cannot be given orally because it is a protein and is broken down in the stomach before it can be absorbed.
3. How is an insulinoma treated?Insulinomas are benign insulin-producing tumors. They are usually treated by being located and removed. Once removed, generally they do not return.
4. What else is important about insulin resistance?Insulin resistance is a warning signal that the body is having problems processing glucose, and it is characteristic of pre-diabetes. Patients with early or moderate insulin resistance often don’t have any symptoms, but if their condition is ignored, it puts them at a much greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and/or heart disease several years down the road. (These four conditions make up what is called the Metabolic Syndrome.).
Treatment of insulin resistance involves changes in diet and lifestyle. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends losing excess weight, getting regular amounts of moderate intensity physical activity, and increasing dietary fiber to lower blood insulin levels and increase the body’s sensitivity to it.
This article was last reviewed on December 20, 2006.
This page was last modified on April 8, 2009.
The review date indicates when the article was last reviewed from beginning to end to ensure that it reflects the most current science. A review may not require any modifications to the article, so the two dates may not always agree.
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