Transcript: If you’ve been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, you’ll need to administer insulin daily. Insulin therapy is life-changing, but necessary for Type 1 diabetics.  Type 1 diabetics don’t produce the insulin necessary to move blood sugar through their bodies. Because of this, they must manually inject this vital hormone. After being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, it is natural to have questions about insulin therapy. As a child, mountaineer Will Cross felt that his diabetes diagnosis meant that he could never pursue his “high” aspirations. But after getting used to his daily injections, Will began climbing again, and in 2005, he became the first diabetic to scale Mount Everest. Let’s begin by looking at why daily insulin is necessary for type 1 diabetics.  People become type 1 diabetics when their immune systems start to destroy the beta cells that make insulin. Because of this, the pancreas can no longer produce this essential hormone.  To combat this shortage, insulin needs to be administered in a manner that mimics the secretion of the pancreas. Since every diabetic has different lifestyle patterns, your doctor will choose from a variety of insulin types and injection methods to treat your diabetes.  Insulin comes in a variety of forms, from long-lasting to briefly intense.   That is why your doctor might suggest a combination of insulin.   For example, a patient could take a dose of  insulin, like NPH, in the morning and evening as well as injections of a intermediate-acting variety, like Humalog, before meals.  Whatever forms of insulin are used, there are three FDA approved ways to administer it.  A. The most common delivery method is the pre-filled insulin pen. B The pen-sized device holds an insulin cartridge, C. which is administered by a needle that penetrates just under the skin. D. Some pens are disposable while others require a replacement needle and cartridge after each injection. Although the pre-filled pen is a great method for many diabetics, some people dislike injections and may prefer an insulin pump.  A.  An insulin pump is a device about the size of a pager that is worn outside of the body. B. It has a tube that connects the insulin to a cannula inserted into the abdomen. C. The pump then dispenses a programmed amount of insulin into the body through the cannula. The third and newest form of insulin on the market is called Exubera.  This delivery method is inhailed into the lungs through a device that looks like an asthmatic’s pump.  1. Inhaled insulin comes in dry blister packs that are inserted into an inhalation device. 2. Since this method is fast acting, but short lasting, it may be best to use it in conjunction with an all-day insulin.  No matter what delivery system is used, it is important to be vigilant in taking your insulin. If you’re not comfortable with your current insulin plan, discuss alternatives with your doctor.