Premixed insulin is a combination of 2 types of insulin usually a rapid- or short-acting insulin and an intermediate-acting insulin. What is rapid-acting insulin? How can it help control my blood sugar level? When do I take rapid-acting insulin? Can I mix rapid-acting insulin with other types of insulin? How do I prepare the correct dose of insulin? Wash your hands. Take the plastic cover off the new insulin bottle. Wipe the top of the bottle with a cotton swab that you have dipped in alcohol. Pull back the plunger of the syringe.
This draws air into the syringe equal to the dose of insulin that you are taking. Then put the syringe needle through the rubber top of the insulin bottle. Inject air into the bottle by pushing the syringe plunger forward. Then turn the bottle upside down.
Make sure that the tip of the needle is in the insulin. Pull back on the syringe plunger to draw the correct dose of insulin into the syringe. The dose of insulin is measured in units. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the syringe before you take the needle out of the insulin bottle. Air bubbles can cut down the amount of insulin that you get in your injection.
If air bubbles are present, hold the syringe and the bottle straight up in one hand, tap the syringe with your other hand and let the air bubbles float to the top. Push on the plunger of the syringe to move the air bubbles back into the insulin bottle.
Then withdraw the correct insulin dose by pulling back on the plunger. Clean your skin with cotton dipped in alcohol. Grab a fold of skin and inject the insulin at a degree angle. Where do I inject the insulin? Things to consider What is an insulin reaction? Signs of an insulin reaction and hypoglycemia include the following: Feeling very tired. Yawning frequently. Being unable to speak or think clearly. Losing muscle coordination.
Having a seizure. Becoming very pale. Losing consciousness. Insulin kept at room temperature can last about a month. Side effects from injecting or receiving insulin are rare, but can occur in certain cases. The symptoms of mild allergic reactions are swelling, itching, or redness around the injection area. More severe insulin allergies may include nausea and vomiting. Hypoglycemia , or blood glucose levels that are too low, can sometimes occur when you take insulin.
Symptoms of low blood sugar include:. People living with type 1 diabetes must use insulin to help control their blood sugar, but those living with type 2 diabetes may be able to use oral medications to help manage their blood sugar instead of injections.
Oral medication is typically prescribed along with lifestyle changes, such as increased activity, weight loss if applicable , and diet changes. Medications for type 2 diabetes are designed to lower blood glucose levels, but they may not work for everyone.
Typically, they work best for people who have recently developed diabetes and do not use supplemental insulin. Some medications include :. Before prescribing any of these oral medications, your doctor will talk with you about your medical history and any additional medications you take. People living with type 2 diabetes can manage, and maybe even reverse, their diagnosis with lifestyle changes. There are a few ways to take insulin, from syringes, to insulin pens, to an insulin pump, or even with an inhaler.
Maintaining blood glucose levels helps reduce the risk of diabetes complications , such as blindness and the loss of limbs. In addition to insulin and oral medications, lifestyle changes can help prevent your blood glucose level from getting too high.
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Type 1 diabetes is a complex autoimmune disease that does have genetic risk factors. Checking your blood sugar and looking over results can help you understand how exercise, an exciting event, or different foods affect your blood sugar level. You can use it to predict and avoid low or high blood glucose levels. You can also use this information to make decisions about your insulin dose, food, and activity.
For more information, see our Blood Glucose Control section. Some insulin pens contain a cartridge of insulin that is inserted into the pen and some are pre-filled with insulin and discarded after all the insulin has been used.
The insulin dose is dialed on the pen, and the insulin is injected through a needle, much like using a syringe. Cartridges and pre-filled insulin pens only contain one type of insulin. Two injections must be given with an insulin pen if using two types of insulin. Insulin pumps help you manage diabetes by delivering insulin 24 hours a day through a catheter placed under the skin. Read more about insulin pumps. The place on your body where you inject insulin affects your blood sugar level.
Insulin enters the blood at different speeds when injected at different sites. Insulin shots work fastest when given in the abdomen. You usually take it before a meal, snack or drink with carbohydrates in it. Find out more about insulin and diabetes on Diabetes UK.
Page last reviewed: 14 July Next review due: 14 July
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