There are several types of diabetes mellitus– Type I, Type II, and gestational, all of which are characterized by hyperglycemia, high blood glucose levels. As a newbie diabetic, you should know your treatment options right from the get-go. Type I diabetes mellitus is always treated with insulin while Type II is treated with insulin or oral Sulfonylureas, Thiazolidinediones, Biguanides, and Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. If you have been diagnosed with Type I diabetes mellitus, you may as well be prepared to receive a prescription for insulin. The different types of insulin your doctor prescribes will depend on various factors. These factors include age, family history, weight, lifestyle, health goal, blood glucose level pattern, and health care insurance.
The common form of insulin utilized to treat Type I diabetes include the following:
- Rapid-Acting Insulin – Lispro (Humalog), Glulisine (Apidra), and Aspart (Novolog) are all insulin rapid-acting. The rapid onset is between 15 and 30 minutes while the peak is between 30 and 90 minutes. Rapid-acting insulin medicine has a three- to five-hour duration compared to other forms of insulin with a duration of up to eight hours. Physicians generally prescribe this form of insulin to be injected when meals are ingested. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may opt to combine rapid-acting with longer-acting types of insulin.
- Short-Acting Insulin – Insulin pump Velosulin and Novolin and Regular insulin with a gradual onset between 30 and 60 minutes. The duration varies depending on the type. R insulin has a five- to eight-hour duration and two- and five-hour peak time. Meals should be ingested at least 30 minutes, no later than one hour after injecting short-acting insulin.
- Intermediate-Acting Insulin – Canadian insulin N or NPH has an onset between 60 minutes (one hour) and 120 minutes (two hours). Doctors generally prescribe intermediate-acting insulin to be injected once in the morning, followed by a meal four hours later. If you follow your physician’s advice, you will find that your blood glucose levels are much easier to control.
- Long Term Or Long Acting – Finally, you have the choice of injecting long-term medical insulin products into your body. This variety of insulin medication is convenient since it generally requires one daily shot to obtain satisfactory results. Once injected, this medication takes longer to activate and impact the body. On average, it may take as long as four hours to enter your bloodstream. One of the biggest perks associated with long-term insulin is its lifespan. It will provide enough insulin to maintain your health throughout the day. As a result, there is no need to inject more insulin.
Consider Insulin Pump Therapy
The population of insulin pump users has grown immensely in recent years. Modern statistics show that roughly a quarter of a million people around the world take advantage of insulin pump therapy. These diabetics opt for this method for numerous reasons. Research shows that these diabetes prefer pumps because it provides them more versatility and control. Using the latest insulin pump therapy technology ensures the patient can devour the foods they want. And, they can consume these edibles whenever they wish.
Plus, they have fewer concerns about hypoglycemia. Once the insulin pump is initiated, the patient can ignore their normal schedule of insulin shots and snacks. Nevertheless, medical doctors concur that pumps are not suitable for all current diabetics. Spend time discussing this option with a medical advisor to determine whether it is suitable for you.
Where To Inject
After picking a type of insulin to maintain your health, it is pertinent to identify the appropriate place to inject the insulin. Where should the insulin be injected? Ultimately, you’ll have many locations to choose from. For instance, many American diabetics prefer injecting insulin into their abdomens. This is a good wise decision because this insulin can be absorbed much quicker by the body. Furthermore, it is easier to reach this portion of your body. You can grab and see this body part making it easy to inject the medication.
Other areas on your body to inject insulin medications are your thigh and arm. When choosing a body location, it is wise to avoid skin blemishes. You’ll want to avoid scars and moles since those blemishes could lead to issues and prevent your body from absorbing the medication. Also, don’t use portions of your body that have varicose veins or broken blood vessels. Doing so could be potentially risky for diabetics.
Be cautious and choose a body location that is suitable for your insulin injections.
Insulin Injection Instructions
When attempting to inject insulin into your system, it is pertinent to be cautious and precise. Don’t rush this injection because it could lead to issues. Make sure that your short or long-term insulin is still in usable condition. Make sure that it isn’t discolored, thick, or grainy. If it is, choose another vial of insulin from your fridge.
Before starting, turn on the sink water and wash your hands completely. Washing for at least 20 seconds is best. Then, grab the syringe and turn it upright. Pull the syringe’s plunger down until the tip reaches the appropriate measurement. Now, remove the cap of the needle and vial.
You must use the syringe to suction the insulin into it. After this is complete, remove any bubbles from the tool to avoid problems. Tap on the syringe carefully to eliminate bubbles. Use an alcohol pad to clean the injection site on your body. Don’t inject your insulin medications into your muscle. The needle must be inserted into your single at an angle of 90 degrees.
The plunger should be pushed down completely before waiting ten seconds.
Afterword
Some people on the planet must combat their insulin deficiencies by taking insulin. The diabetes condition can be very devastating and downright deadly in some circumstances. Learn more about the unique varieties of insulin products available to modern diabetes and consult with your preferred medical professional. With professional medical assistance, you can find out which insulin variety will be right for you. Also, people experiencing diabetes symptoms may need to utilize multiple types of insulin simultaneously.
A doctor will compile a plan to help determine what works best for you. Rely on their advice to maintain your health and avoid dangerous diabetes symptoms.