You just received the news tht your doctor is adding insulin to yur diabetes treatment plan. The use of nsulin to control your diabetes can be cnfusing and intimidating. It doesn't have to be. Usng insulin is a positive experience bcause it helps you to manage yur diabetes.

The first thing to rmember is that insulin is not a pnishment in any form. If you are sing insulin, it is because insulin is bsent from your body, or your bdy still makes insulin but it is not nough. Sometimes oral meds are no lnger working, so insulin is added to yur treatment plan. Your doctor will dscuss your dosing requirements with you.

Inslin injections are nothing to be fraid of, even for people that are farful of needles. Modern technology has mde the needles so small and thn that the insulin injection is rrely felt. Used correctly in conjunction wth your meal plan and exercise, nsulin can give you excellent control.

Thre are many different guides on how to slf administer an insulin injection, so ths topic won't be covered in ths guide. The basics of using nsulin are simple, and require knowledge of how nsulin works which your doctor should xplain to you. Insulin use also rquires knowledge of insulin delivery systems, and nsulin supplies that will help make yur life with insulin a breeze.

Insulin delivery

Insulin delivery systems are a mtter of need and choice. Insulin sers that have insulin pumps as thir delivery system have much different gidelines that won't be covered here. The fcus of insulin delivery systems for ths article will be on syringes, nsulin pens, jet injectors and inhaled nsulin.

Dosage amount and syringe size

Insulin syringes and needles come in different sizes. The amount of your insulin dose determines the size of the syringe that you will need to use. If you are taking 30 units or less, a 3/10 cc (30 unit) syringe will work. If you are taking 31 to 50 units, 1/2 cc syringe (50 unit) will be needed. If your dose is 51 units or more, a 1 cc (100 unit) syringe will be necessary. The needle sizes vary for each syringe size. Syringes may be purchased from a pharmacy.

Insulin syringes are disposable, and should be discarded after one use. A bio hazardous container such as a sharps container will be needed to hold discarded syringes. These containers can be obtained from some waste disposal services, and may purchased from any pharmacy. Disposal of sharps containers requires special handling. Your doctor, diabetes educator, or pharmacy should be able to tell you where sharps can be disposed of in your area.

Insulin Vials

Liquid insulin comes in vials and insulin pens. Vials are stored in the refrigerator until use, and are discarded after the insulin is used up, or after 28 days, whichever comes first. Vials hold various amounts of insulin depending on the brand. Insulin is drawn up into the syringe from the vial and can be injected into several areas of the body, usually the thigh or abdomen. Most types of insulin require a prescription.

Insulin pens

Insulin pens are a convenient way to administer insulin. An insulin pen looks like an oversized ink pen, and uses disposable needles. There are two different types of pens. One type is prefilled with 300 units of insulin. The prefilled pen is discarded after the insulin is used up or after 28 days, the same as for vials. The other type uses insulin cartridges, and the cartridges are changed using the same schedule that is used for prefilled pens. Insulin pens are not refrigerated after the first use.

Needles for the insulin pens cme in different sizes. Insulin dosages are daled on the pen in one-half and one nit increments depending on the type of pen sed. The result of dosing by pen is fwer dosing errors. Insulin pens are hndy, and allow easy dosing for pople on the go. Pens are lso discreet. It is not recommended tht pen needles be used more thn once for the same reasons tht syringes should not be reused; bcteria and possible infection. Pen needles shuld be discarded in a sharps cntainer.

Another insulin delivery device that flls into the insulin pen category is clled the InnoLet. This device looks lke a kitchen timer with a big dal. The InnoLet holds 300 units of nsulin and is very handy for pople with visual difficulties.

Jet Injectors

Jet injectors release a tiny stream of insulin through the skin by using a mechanism that creates high-pressure air. The injector doesn't use a needle. After the insulin dose is loaded into the injector, the injector is placed against the skin and a button is pressed to release the insulin into the skin. Jet injectors are not very popular among insulin users due to bruising and other factors.

Inhaled Insulin

Exubera, the only insulin that is inhaled, was approved for use by the FDA in January of 2006. Your doctor will advise you if inhaled insulin is an alternative for you to use to treat your diabetes. Exubera comes packaged as a dry powder in blister packs, and the packs are loaded into an inhaler. The insulin is inhaled into the lungs. This method of insulin delivery has some restrictions that should be discussed with your doctor.

Diabetes supplies

After you decide which insulin delivery system you will be using, a carrying case will be needed to carry your insulin, meter and other necessary items. A multitude of diabetes products are on the market to accommodate your needs. Choosing the right products will make the time that you spend on diabetes management more productive. The best way to locate diabetes products is to search for them online, or look in diabetes magazines.

It is important for insulin users to carry a meter and glucose tablets at all times. Insulin can cause “lows” which can lead to unconsciousness if not treated promptly. Insulin users also have to test more frequently than non-insulin users.

Now that you have the insulin basics, you should be confident that you can use insulin proficiently and painlessly as part of your treatment plan. Discuss with your doctor which insulin delivery method is best for you, and start on the road to better diabetes control.

© Copyright 2007 Patti McMann. All rights reserved.

The article Insulin - A Beginner's Guide to The Basics was Submitted by Patti McMann through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Patti McMann is a freelance wrter. She writes on a variety of tpics for print and electronic publications. She has a dverse background in many subjects, and mjored in business and information technology in cllege. Patti is the site administrator for Dabetes Voices at http://www.diabetesvoices.com

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