Right now, diabetes is one of the most devastating medical conditions in the world. In addition to this, it is one of the costliest medical problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim more than 34 million people in the United States have diabetes. Many face potentially devastating consequences. With 1 in 10 having diabetes, people need to be very cautious. If you don’t follow a healthy diet and use your medications, you may experience bigger issues. Remember that there are numerous ways to combat diabetes.
Using insulin is one option. Within this guide, you will learn more about insulin and other ways to deal with this medical problem.
About Insulin
First, you should learn more about insulin. This hormone is naturally produced in the human body. Insulin helps cells in your body take sugar or glucose and use it to create energy. Without insulin, you would not be able to survive. Diabetes was deadlier before insulin was discovered in the 1900s. Now, it is possible to offset the problems associated with diabetes by using insulin. As long as you take your insulin medication, you will be able to live a normal life.
Natural insulin is created by beta cells found in the pancreas. These cells will detect sugar in the blood and release sufficient insulin to maintain proper blood sugar levels. Just remember that this doesn’t work for people who have diabetes.
Using Insulin
Insulin is a common treatment for diabetes. It can effectively be used for patients of both types of diabetes as well. With type 1 diabetes, people produce little to no insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes and other medications aren’t helping raise your insulin levels, you should take insulin. However, it should be noted that most people with type 2 diabetes will not need to use insulin every day. It is pertinent to consult with your primary physician.
If you are told that you need to take insulin daily, you should not miss a dose. Doing so could have devastating complications.
Insulin Injection Recommendations
People who have type 1 diabetes will usually need to take two insulin injections each day. Then, you will progress to 3 or 4 doses of another type. Insulin is helpful because it controls blood sugar levels. By using insulin, you can avoid experiencing insulin-related complications. For type 2 diabetes patients, pills are likely needed. Pills help control blood sugar levels. However, some of these individuals may need to take insulin injections at night.
If your body doesn’t respond to the medication, you will need to use injections. It is best to inject two different types of insulin twice a day.
Where To Inject Insulin
When injecting insulin, it is pertinent to find the right spot. You need to inject insulin into subcutaneous tissues. This means that you can inject the insulin into your thigh, arm, or abdomen. Most medical professionals recommend injecting insulin into the abdomen. This is very helpful because the insulin will be absorbed much quicker. In addition to this, it is easier to predict what is going to happen. You’ll also find it easier to give yourself an injection in the abdomen since you can reach it without trouble. It is pertinent to avoid areas that have scars, moles, or other blemishes since they can prevent the body from absorbing insulin.
Finally, you’ll want to avoid broken blood vessels and varicose veins.
Injection Insulin
Before injecting insulin, you need to check its quality. It is pertinent to store it in the refrigerator. However, you need to wait until the insulin is room temperature before using it. If it is cloudy, you’ll need to mix the contents. To do so, you should roll the vial between your hands. Never shake it. In addition to this, you should never use insulin that is discolored, thick, or grainy.
To get started, you will need the insulin vial, syringe, alcohol pads, gauze, and bandages. Wash your hands. Use the syringe to pull the insulin from the vial. Use an alcohol pad to clean the injection site. Gentle your skin and insert the needle. Once you’ve done that, you should push the syringe’s plunger to inject the insulin. Release the skin and do not rub the skin. You can use a gauze pad to stop the bleeding.
Be sure to dispose of the syringe properly to avoid potential problems.
Insulin & Other Medications
Remember that insulin is only one part of your diabetes treatment. You’ll need to combine insulin with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. Furthermore, you should make sure that you’re using other medications. Depending on your condition, you might be able to offset the problem without injecting insulin each day. For type 2 diabetes, you can use alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and biguanides. Your doctor may prescribe the following medications.
- Glucophage
- Metformin
- Riomet
- Fortamet
- Precose
- Glyset
- Janumet
- Cycloset
Accessing your diabetes medications can be difficult. You can simplify this problem by visiting the Canadian Insulin website.
Insulin & Lifestyle Changes
In the beginning, insulin should be your primary defense against diabetes. However, you need to realize that you can do more to remedy this problem. You’ll want to use your insulin every day to avoid potential issues. Nevertheless, you can take steps to improve your health and combat your diabetes symptoms. For instance, you should think about exercising more often. The benefits of exercise cannot be exaggerated. Exercise is very helpful because it can help control body weight, reduce blood pressure, and lower bad cholesterol. Furthermore, it can help combat anxiety while strengthening your muscles and bones.
Furthermore, you need to focus on following a diabetes diet. This is helpful because you’ll start eating more healthy foods while avoiding bad foods. Remember to follow a diet that is rich in nutrients, low in fat, and low in calories. Finally, you need to make sure that you’re consuming less sugar. You’ll want to remove sugar and starch-rich foods from your daily diet. Doing so and using insulin will prove to be very helpful.
