What is basal-bolus insulin therapy?

Basal-bolus insulin therapy is a series of daily insulin shots. If your blood sugar is too high while you're in the hospital, your doctor may order this treatment.

Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells use sugar (glucose) for energy. It also helps your body store extra sugar in muscle, fat, and liver cells. Without enough insulin, this sugar can't get into your cells to do its work. It stays in your blood instead. Your blood sugar level then gets too high.

It's the job of your pancreas to release insulin as your body needs it. When you're in the hospital, there are several things that can keep your pancreas from working right. These include:

• Illness or injury.
• The stress of being in the hospital.
• Certain medicines, such as steroid medicines.
• A change in your meal schedule.
• I.V. or tube feedings.

Basal-bolus therapy works by releasing insulin into your blood the way a healthy pancreas would.