Type 2 Diabetes: The right way to manage diabetes is to get the correct information about its treatment. While most maximum people are aware of the role of insulin during diabetes, but this information is quite necessary. So what are those essential things related to insulin, which every person with diabetes should know? Let's try to understand. What is insulin? The digestive system converts the carbohydrates in your food into glucose. Insulin is a hormone produced by an organ called the pancreas that absorbs glucose and regulates carbs and fat metabolism. Types of insulin: There are five types of insulin, and the difference is based on its effectiveness and reaction. The diabetologist will recommend you the best insulin based on factors like your age, weight, sugar control, lifestyle, your frequency of injections and your response to insulin.
How is insulin used?
Syringe use is the most common method of taking insulin. You can inject insulin on the fatty layer of your skin. You can also use insulin pens and pumps. According to your sugar needs, you can decide the frequency of the dose. On the other hand, the insulin pump is attentively attached to your pocket, waistband, belt or your innerwear, which continuously provides insulin at a special rate with the help of a tube. Can insulin be taken without an injection? Where injections are the most common method, you can use the insulin inhaler to deliver the insulin powder to the lungs via the mouth. Scientists are also trying to develop insulin in tablet form, but it is still at the stage of clinical trials.
Does injecting insulin cause pain?
Injections do not cause pain; nowadays, the injection needle of insulin is very small/subtle, which reduces the feeling of pain to a great extent. But the reason for your fear of insulin injections can be psychological, which is called the state of Psychological Insulin Resistant. In such cases, you start expressing reluctance to take insulin, because you are afraid of pain from the injection, low blood sugar, and weight gain. Some people may also see insulin therapy as a cause of their condition worsening due to psychosocial insulin residuals and may discredit it, as you may find it permanent, obstructive and hard to follow.
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What is the way to store insulin correctly?
- Keep the insulin bottles in the refrigerator until the expiry date.
- Allow the vial of insulin to reach the room temperature before injection.
- Store the open bottles at room temperature for one month and then discard them.
- Avoid keeping your insulin in extreme temperature, keep it away from sunlight and do not freeze.
- Take care of the colour, smell and clarity of insulin, do not use it if you see any changes in the insulin.
- Do not use Insulin after the expiry date has passed.
Are there any side effects of taking insulin?
Insulin injection side effects are uncommon. You may feel redness, swelling and itching or slight pain at the injection site. But its effect disappears in a few days. On rare occasions, you may feel severe allergies. A high blood sugar level can rise in hypoglycemia. At the same time, low levels of insulin can increase your blood sugar levels (causing Hyperglycemia). You may gain weight while on insulin therapy. Also, if your sugar control is not in good condition for a long time, then your eyes may also be affected temporarily (diabetic retinography).
What precautions should be taken?
Some important things to keep in mind while using insulin.
- Use the correct injection technique and manage the proper dose of insulin.
- Use disposable needles and syringes, and boil reusable equipment to avoid any infection and risk.
- Keep an eye on the signs of rapidly decreasing low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).
- Maintain balance on your insulin, carbohydrate usage and exercise. You may have to modify your insulin dosage according to your diet and physical activity.
- Alcohol consumption may increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
- In the case of chronic lung disease such as asthma, 'inhaled insulin cannot be recommended'.
- If you smoke or you have recently quit smoking, you should not take insulin through the breath.
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