What is basal/bolus therapy?
In people without diabetes, the pancreas continuously releases a small, steady “basal” flow of insulin to keep blood glucose in a normal range. When you eat, the pancreas releases a short “burst” or “bolus” of insulin to handle the glucose load from the meal. Insulin plans can be designed to mimic this natural pattern of insulin release. Generally, these plans combine a long-acting insulin with a rapid-acting insulin. The long-acting insulin is intended to simulate the basal insulin secretion. It helps control your background blood glucose levels. A rapid-acting insulin analog provides a short burst of glucose-lowering activity. It works to lower the postprandial (after a meal) blood glucose rise that occurs as your body digests the food you’ve just eaten.
