Getting the news from your doctor that you need to begin injecting insulin can be extremely daunting. Many Diabetics feel overwhelmed by all the information out there and naturally many questions can arise. Before you even pick up your first insulin prescription, you may be wondering "what is insulin exactly, and what does it do to help me? Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that assists in breaking down food and converting it to energy. Unfortunately, Diabetics do not produce enough insulin which results in a lack of control in blood sugar levels ultimately leading to complications. The good news is that there are a couple different options available for Diabetics to help them easily control their blood sugar.
This handy step by step guide will help clarify what you need to get started as well as proper injection techniques.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Insulin Injection Method for You - Pen or Syringe?
When it comes to finding your insulin routine, there are two different types of injection methods, the pen and the syringe. The injection pen which has a short disposable needle, an insulin cartridge, and a dial to measure the dose. An insulin pen looks like this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin_pen). Many Diabetics find that the insulin pen offers an easier handling experience as compared to the syringe and report better accuracy. The second option, the insulin syringe dates back to 1916 and was the traditional method available before the more recently introduced insulin pen. An insulin syringe has a similar subcutaneous injection technique to the pen, but measuring out the dosage can be a little more confusing. On the plastic plunger tube of the syringe, there are measurement markers for ml but it is a little more manual and fussy than the injection pen.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, THE BELOW STEPS WILL EXPLAIN HOW TO USE AN INSULIN SYRINGE INJECTION METHOD
Step 2: Dosage and Storage
Most new standard vials of insulin are 1000 units. Your doctor will be able to tell you exactly what dose you should be injecting as it is different for every patient. It is important to refrigerate your new unopened insulin right away. Once you open one, you may leave it out at room temperature and use for 30 days at which point it must be thrown away.
Step 3: Preparing your Insulin Before Use
There are several different types of insulin on the market. If your bottle of insulin looks cloud white in color you will need to take it between your two palms for 15-20 seconds, and roll it back and forth to warm it up before you use it. This step is extremely important but again, only needs to be done if your insulin is white in color.
Step 4: Preparing the Syringe
Determine how many ml of insulin you need to put into the syringe (doctor ordered dosage). You will first need to put air into the syringe in the same exact amount as the dosage of your insulin. To do this, pull the plastic plunger back until the black tip reaches the appropriate marker on the ml ruler marks. If you have any confusion on what size syringe you need for your dosage, your pharmacist should be able to help you choose the right size for your needs. Now open your insulin bottle and apply the rubber cap with the hole in it. Insert the syringe into the bottle and push down on the
plunger to release the air into the bottle completely. This is important to equalize the pressure inside the bottle which makes withdrawing the insulin easier.
Step 5: Filling the Syringe with Insulin
Once the syringe is firmly into the insulin bottle turn the bottle completely upside-down with the needle still inside. Hold the syringe close to the bottle cap to keep it steady and slowly pull back the plunger to begin filling the syringe with liquid. Pull the plunger back until the black tip reaches the appropriate ml marking for your dosage on the side of the syringe. It may feel a little wobbly when you do this, but it will get easier over time. Once you have filled the syringe you can turn the insulin bottle right side up and remove the syringe.
Step 6: Choose an Injection Site on your Body
Although the abdomen is typically the most recommended place that you can inject your insulin, there are a few different areas on the body that you can use as injection sites. If you aren't a fan of injecting into your stomach you can also use the top of your thighs or the backs of your upper arms. The most important rule of thumb is that you never use the same injection site twice in a row. You should make a habit of rotating where you insert the needle to avoid scarring, bruising or absorption problems. Do not inject in areas where you have moles or old scars as the skin is thicker and the syringe may have trouble penetrating. Always make sure that the area you choose as your injection site is properly sterile by using an alcohol pad or bactine to disinfect prior to injecting.
Step 7: Injecting the Insulin
Warning, you may feel slight discomfort when injecting the syringe, but it should be quick and only last a few seconds. First hold the syringe in your hand facing towards your body like you would a pencil. Pinch the skin between your thumb and index finger and pull it away from your body. Quickly insert the needle at a 90 degree angle into the center of the skin you are pinching. Release the skin you are pinching and while holding the syringe with two hands push down on the plunger in a steady motion until all of the insulin is completely gone. You can now pull the needle straight out of your skin. It is completely normal to see a few drops of blood or minor bruising around the site of your injection afterwards.
That is it! You have now successfully injected your first dose of insulin. Remember to always seek the consultation of your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions or experience any type of abnormal reaction.
This handy step by step guide will help clarify what you need to get started as well as proper injection techniques.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Insulin Injection Method for You - Pen or Syringe?
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, THE BELOW STEPS WILL EXPLAIN HOW TO USE AN INSULIN SYRINGE INJECTION METHOD
Step 2: Dosage and Storage
Most new standard vials of insulin are 1000 units. Your doctor will be able to tell you exactly what dose you should be injecting as it is different for every patient. It is important to refrigerate your new unopened insulin right away. Once you open one, you may leave it out at room temperature and use for 30 days at which point it must be thrown away.
Step 3: Preparing your Insulin Before Use
There are several different types of insulin on the market. If your bottle of insulin looks cloud white in color you will need to take it between your two palms for 15-20 seconds, and roll it back and forth to warm it up before you use it. This step is extremely important but again, only needs to be done if your insulin is white in color.
Step 4: Preparing the Syringe
Determine how many ml of insulin you need to put into the syringe (doctor ordered dosage). You will first need to put air into the syringe in the same exact amount as the dosage of your insulin. To do this, pull the plastic plunger back until the black tip reaches the appropriate marker on the ml ruler marks. If you have any confusion on what size syringe you need for your dosage, your pharmacist should be able to help you choose the right size for your needs. Now open your insulin bottle and apply the rubber cap with the hole in it. Insert the syringe into the bottle and push down on the
plunger to release the air into the bottle completely. This is important to equalize the pressure inside the bottle which makes withdrawing the insulin easier.
Step 5: Filling the Syringe with Insulin
Once the syringe is firmly into the insulin bottle turn the bottle completely upside-down with the needle still inside. Hold the syringe close to the bottle cap to keep it steady and slowly pull back the plunger to begin filling the syringe with liquid. Pull the plunger back until the black tip reaches the appropriate ml marking for your dosage on the side of the syringe. It may feel a little wobbly when you do this, but it will get easier over time. Once you have filled the syringe you can turn the insulin bottle right side up and remove the syringe.
Step 6: Choose an Injection Site on your Body
Although the abdomen is typically the most recommended place that you can inject your insulin, there are a few different areas on the body that you can use as injection sites. If you aren't a fan of injecting into your stomach you can also use the top of your thighs or the backs of your upper arms. The most important rule of thumb is that you never use the same injection site twice in a row. You should make a habit of rotating where you insert the needle to avoid scarring, bruising or absorption problems. Do not inject in areas where you have moles or old scars as the skin is thicker and the syringe may have trouble penetrating. Always make sure that the area you choose as your injection site is properly sterile by using an alcohol pad or bactine to disinfect prior to injecting.
Step 7: Injecting the Insulin
Warning, you may feel slight discomfort when injecting the syringe, but it should be quick and only last a few seconds. First hold the syringe in your hand facing towards your body like you would a pencil. Pinch the skin between your thumb and index finger and pull it away from your body. Quickly insert the needle at a 90 degree angle into the center of the skin you are pinching. Release the skin you are pinching and while holding the syringe with two hands push down on the plunger in a steady motion until all of the insulin is completely gone. You can now pull the needle straight out of your skin. It is completely normal to see a few drops of blood or minor bruising around the site of your injection afterwards.
That is it! You have now successfully injected your first dose of insulin. Remember to always seek the consultation of your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions or experience any type of abnormal reaction.
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