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How to Take Insulin Injection?

Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas to allow cells to use glucose. When your body is not making or using insulin correctly, then you will have to use man-made insulin to regulate or control your blood sugar level.

There are many types of insulin for treating diabetes. They’re usually described by how they affect your body.

However, your doctor may prescribe more than one type of insulin. You might need to take insulin more than once daily, to have separate doses throughout the day. 

Therefore, insulin injection is necessary for treating both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If you’re having type 1 diabetes mellitus, then your body will not produce enough insulin to sustain life. So, you will require exogenous insulin for survival.  

On the other hand, if you’re having type 2 diabetes then you may not require exogenous insulin for survival. However, with the passing of time, you will show a decreased amount of insulin production. As a result, you’ll require supplemental insulin for adequate blood glucose control, especially during times of stress or illness.

Usually, three types of insulin are used to treat type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body gradually loses the ability to produce or make insulin naturally. The 3 ways of giving insulin are:

Vial and syringe –

Most people prefer taking insulin by drawing it up into a syringe, reading the dose, and injecting it into the fat below their skin. This is a simple method of taking insulin and is quite effective. However, you have to be an expert in drawing up insulin and also need a good vision to read the syringe accurately.

When you’re taking insulin, you must know everything about the insulin vials and the syringes. Usually, the insulin vials come in two types, insulin 100 IU/ ml, and 40 IU/ml. Make sure to use a 40 IU syringe when you’re using the 40 IU/ml vial, and a 100 IU syringe when using the 100 IU/ml vial.

Although, it is quite easy to distinguish between the 40 IU and 100 IU syringe. The cap of the 100 IU syringe is orange and the cap of the 40 IU syringe is red.

Make sure that you’re comfortable in giving yourself injections. You can also get a pre-mixed syringe if you are having difficulty withdrawing and reading.

Insulin pen – 

Insulin pens are a much easier way of injecting insulin. You just need to learn how to inject it just beneath your skin, avoiding the muscle. There are many types of insulin available in these pens and there are lots of options.

However, some types of insulin pens are also reusable, while others are disposable. Some pens have a memory feature that records your dosage and time.

Insulin pumps –

An insulin pump is a device almost to a size of a deck of cards that you usually wear on your belt. It contains a tube that delivers the insulin into a tiny vein beneath your skin. The pump continuously infuses insulin through this infusion set according to the dosage time. 

Moreover, it also has advantages like no daily injections and better glucose control. However, you may have to stay in the hospital for a day to learn how to remove, replace, and operate the pump and infusion set. A pump may also be the most expensive way of taking insulin.

Read More –  Hypoglycemia: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention?

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Have queries or concern ?

Insulin is the safest way to regulate and control your blood sugar levels. If your body is not producing insulin properly, then make sure to consult your doctor and he will prescribe you insulin injections.

There are many types of insulin delivery devices available nowadays. Each of these devices is directed to deliver the desired dose of insulin. These devices will help you to intake insulin without any discomfort.

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