One of the methods of diabetes treatment that can be done by the patient is insulin administration.
Insulin can effectively control the metabolic problems of diabetes only if it is administered properly.
Correct administration is a multifaceted procedure including proper storage of insulin, knowledge of insulin syringes, accurate withdrawal and measurement of the dosage, knowledge on injection sites, rotation sites, injection technique and the injection schedule.
First of all, diabetes info for patients includes proper storage of insulin.
Insulin remains stable for many months at room temperature and for considerably longer time when refrigerated.
At temperature above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, these products deteriorate more rapidly.
Thus, a partially used vial of insulin may be kept at room temperature and still retain its potency, whereas refrigeration is recommended for any unopened supplies.
Moreover, specially designed syringes are used for insulin injection and for measurement of the said substance.
The barrel of the syringe is graduated in units of insulin rather than milliliters.
A 0.
5 ml syringe is graduated in one unit increments especially if you only require small doses of insulin.
Devices today which looked like pens are already used today to let you accurately measure the amount of insulin that you need to inject.
The only thing that you need to do is replace the needles.
The body areas commonly chosen for sites for subcutaneous injection of insulin in adults are the upper arms, thigh, abdomen, and buttocks.
These areas have subcutaneous tissue thick enough to allow proper injection technique and assurance of a properly positioned dose after injection.
Many patients absorb insulin from one body area faster than from another, the abdomen generally being the fastest of the areas mentioned, although the insulin may be absorbed more rapidly from an extremity that is being exercised.
Sequential sites should be chosen so that a rotating schedule will allow use of an entire area.
Care must be taken to record the rotation schedule and where the last injection was given.
It is suggested that sites be 1 inch apart to allow a large number of sites per body area while avoiding overlap of injection sites.
Once a site is chosen, the skin is wiped with alcohol.
The injection technique is to gently pinch the skin to raise a tent into which the insulin is injected.
A perpendicular injection straight through the skin is perfectly acceptable in most adults.
In thin persons the insulin is often injected at a 45 degree angle to lessen the likelihood of injecting into deeper structures.
Injections of insulin intradermally will cause a red irritated lump.
Various injection schedules can be used.
The choice is related to the patient's metabolic needs as manifested by changes in the blood glucose level during the course of the day.
It can also be based on the patient's motivation level as evidenced by the willingness to make the injection more than once daily and it can be related on lifestyle factors such as eating habits, exercise and working schedule.
If you are advised for insulin injections, you must have the fundamental knowledge about how to do it.
You must be responsible enough to inject on schedule and have it when needed.