bolusinsulin

Bolus insulin is a type of fast-acting insulin used to manage blood glucose levels in individuals with diabetes, particularly those using an insulin pump or multiple daily injection therapy. It is administered to cover the rise in blood sugar that occurs after eating a meal or snack, or to correct high blood glucose levels that have already developed. Bolus insulin works quickly, typically starting to lower blood glucose within 10-20 minutes and reaching its peak action within 30-90 minutes. The duration of action can vary but is generally around 3-5 hours.

There are different types of rapid-acting insulin analogs that are commonly used as bolus insulin, including lispro, aspart, and glulisine. These insulins are designed to mimic the body's natural insulin response more closely than older formulations. The dose of bolus insulin is individualized based on factors such as the amount of carbohydrates consumed, the current blood glucose level, and the individual's insulin sensitivity. Patients are often taught to count carbohydrates and use formulas to calculate their bolus insulin doses, a process known as carbohydrate counting or carb ratio. Similarly, correction doses are calculated to bring elevated blood glucose levels back into a target range.

Effective use of bolus insulin requires careful monitoring of blood glucose levels and understanding of how food, activity, and other factors affect insulin needs. It plays a crucial role in achieving tight glycemic control, reducing the risk of both short-term complications like hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and long-term complications associated with diabetes.