Taking Medications Insulin

Taking Medications All About Insulin Washington Association of Diabetes Educatorswww.DiabetesAnswers.org or www.WADEpage.org

Managing Diabetes: InsulinYour doctor may prescribe insulin early in on your treatment and incombination with pills. Insulin is also used in people with type 2diabetes who develop "beta-cell failure." This means the cells in thepancreas no longer produce insulin in response to high blood sugarlevels. In this case, insulin therapy — injections or an insulin pump —must become part of the daily routine.

Treating Diabetes With InsulinWith diabetes, your body often doesnt make enough insulin to control blood sugars.Doctors may prescribe insulin based on how long youve had diabetes and what typeyou have, your blood glucose level, your overall health and lifestyle, and what othermedicine you take. When you have diabetes, giving yourself insulin injections andchecking your blood sugar can become a part of everyday life.

Tips for Injecting InsulinWhen you start taking insulin, a medical professional will teach you how toinject yourself, and youll practice until youre comfortable. When doing shots,rotate where you inject to avoid building up scar tissue. For example, giveyourself your shot on one side of your abdomen at breakfast, the other side atlunch, and in your leg at dinner. Avoid injecting near your joints, groin, navel,middle abdomen, or scars.

Different Types of InsulinInsulin types vary depending on how fast they work, when they peak, and how longthey last. Rapid-acting, short-acting, and pre-mixed insulin are timed to meals.Long-acting and intermediate-acting are not timed to meals. The glucose-loweringeffects of these insulins can last up to 24 hours.

Timing Mealtime InsulinIf you take shorter-acting and pre-mixed insulin, timing is important. It mustbe working in your system while food is being absorbed in order to avoidhypoglycemia. Rapid-acting insulin is taken right before or immediatelyafter meals. Short-acting insulin is taken 30 to 60 minutes prior to meals.Pre-mixed insulin is taken twice a day before meals.

When Youve Had Too Much InsulinIf youve had too much insulin, or you havent eaten and you’re on insulin,you can become hypoglycemic. If you start experiencing symptoms -- feelingtired, weak, or shaky -- you usually can treat mild hypoglycemia by eating ordrinking something with sugar, such as juice, or taking glucose tablets. Besure to tell your doctor about your hypoglycemic episode. Sometimes theamount of insulin you take may need adjusting.

For More Control, Pumps May HelpIf youre having trouble regulating your insulin and blood sugar, you maywant to consider an insulin pump. They come with a programmabledose calculator to easily control your insulin dosage and help maintainsteady blood sugar. No matter how you take your medication, know youcan always ask your doctor for help in controlling your blood sugar.Together you can find ways to find the right balance between diet,exercise, and medication.

Diabetes Patient Education Types of insulin

How to Give an Insulin Shot

Flex Pen Video

Find out More Videos and Handouts you can print Washington Association of Diabetes Educatorswww.DiabetesAnswers.org or www.WADEpage.org

Taking Medications Insulin

by Diabetes Answers on Apr 27, 2011

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