It is a nuisance! But it is not as sore as you think. It makes you feel normal again. Insulin brings the blood sugar down to normal. You
have to balance the amount of insulin with the amount of food you eat. It is different for different people. |
An insulin injection is subcutaneous, that is, the insulin is deposited just under the skin, rather than
into a vein or muscle tissue. The insulin spreads from the subcutaneous tissue into the rest of the body quickly.
Newly diagnosed diabetics who must use insulin are taught how to inject themselves and where. Injecting insulin is a relatively simple procedure, and, even though it is not pleasant, most diabetics get
used to it. New extrafine needles that cut down on the discomfort are widely available. There are also devices that use a jet spray to administer insulin right through the skin without a needle, but these are expensive.
Disposable syringes come in various sizes. The most common arc:
- 1 cc which holds up to 100 units
- 1 cc which holds up to 40 units
- 1/2cc which holds up to 50 units (I have never seen these)
To make it easier to draw up your insulin accurately, use the smallest syringe that will hold your dose. Although there are several different brands, the type that I prefer is the BD-Ultra Fine with the 29
gauge needle. Which ever brand you choose be sure the syringes you buy match the concentration of your insulin. As far as I know all insulin sold in the united states, or at least most, is U-100. Make sure
you only use U-100 syringes. Both U-100 insulin and U-tOO syringes have orange caps.
How to administer insulin |
A diabetic should have all the materials ready before giving himself or herself a shot of insulin. Needed
are a vial of insulin, a fresh disposable hypodermic syringe, some clean cotton balls and a bottle of rubbing alcohol. It is not necessary if the skin is clean.
The first step is to take the metal protective top off of the vial to expose the rubber stopper, without
removing the stopper itself. The next step is to turn the vial upside down and roll it gently between the hands. The vial should not be shaken, because that causes bubbles that may throw off the
measurement later. Then the top of the rubber stopper is wiped with cotton dipped in alcohol. This cleans and sterilizes the top. The vial then can be put to one side.
Next, the hypodermic syringe wrapper is opened, with caution so as not to touch the needle. The syringe plunger is pulled down so that it is at the number for the patient's dosage of insulin and the
needle is inserted into the insulin vial. The plunger is pressed down to expel air into the vial (this makes getting insulin out of the vial easier) and is pulled back up to the right amount. The needle is
removed from the vial and the syringe is set down so that the needle touches nothing.
- The patient finds his or her injection site and wipes it with cotton, and not necessary with alcohol.
- Then the patient pinches up the skin at the site with one hand and picks up the syringe like a pencil with the other.
- The needle is pushed quickly through the skin at a 90degree angle.
- The plunger is pushed down to empty it, and,
- the needle is removed from the skin.
- The site should be wiped again.
- The injection goes under the skin
- Give it straight
- Give it quickly
- Just before the meal.
- Move to different places
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