Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Basal (medicine)
Introduction
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Basal is a term used by diabetics and health care professionals to describe a low, continuous dosage of insulin (either as a basal rate from an insulin pump or a slow-acting insulin injection) intended to “cover” the glucose output of the liver.
This works together with a bolus of insulin, which is a dosage of insulin intended to “cover” a meal or to make a large glucose level correction.