Diabetes is a potentially life-threatening illness that affects more than 320 million people throughout the world. There are different types of diabetes, some more serious than others, but all types must be treated with medicine and lifestyle regulation.
If you have Type 1 diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin to regulate your blood glucose level. The way to fix this is to give yourself daily insulin injections. Usually, those with Type 2 diabetes do not require insulin injections, but there are times when oral medications will lose effectiveness and they will have to resort to insulin shots. Having the proper supply of insulin, needles and syringes is important, as your body has become insulin dependent and needs the injections to help regulate your blood sugar levels.
Basal insulin is the type that gives you the amount of insulin that the pancreas is not creating. It works throughout the day to keep your system regulated. This type of injection should only need to be taken once or maybe twice each day.
Bolus insulin is a faster-acting injection that you take with every meal. It keeps the blood sugar from spiking after eating, which can happen once the body begins to turn the carbohydrates you ingest into glucose.
Those with Type 1 diabetes must always take insulin shots. While Type 2 diabetes does not usually call for the type of basal insulin like those with Type 1 diabetes need, the aid of bolus insulin at mealtimes can be helpful.
Most patients need to inject the insulin with a regular syringe you would see in a doctor’s office or hospital. The injection of insulin is considered a subcutaneous injection, which means the insulin is injected under the skin and fatty tissue. There is no need to find a vein for injection, and it should only take a few seconds for you to complete. Here are the steps for injecting insulin.
First, you must roll the insulin vial between your hands to make sure it is mixed properly, ensuring the dosage is accurate. Pinch the skin of the injection site and insert the needle underneath the top fatty layer of skin. Change the site of injection daily. It is best to inject insulin into the abdomen, since it is best absorbed there. Rotate to a different spot within this area daily. Try your best to avoid injecting into muscle, as it can be painful and causes the insulin to be absorbed too quickly.
Injections are never fun, but they are very important to a diabetic’s health. Not taking your injections regularly can lead to dire consequences. Your doctor will more than likely be happy to help you find the most convenient and painless way to inject your insulin, keeping you healthy and happy.