What you eat is closely connected to the amount of sugar in your blood. The right food choices will…. There are 3 tools that…. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Prescription Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medicines. Naltrexone for Alcoholism. Blood Pressure Monitoring at Home. Why do I need to take insulin? Path to improved health How often will I need to take insulin? Do I need to monitor my blood sugar level?
When should I take insulin? Types of insulin: Rapid-acting insulin such as insulin lispro, insulin aspart, and insulin glulisine starts working in about 15 minutes. It lasts for 3 to 5 hours. Short-acting insulin such as regular insulin starts working in 30 to 60 minutes and lasts 5 to 8 hours.
Intermediate-acting insulin such as insulin NPH starts working in 1 to 3 hours and lasts 12 to 16 hours. Long-acting insulin such as insulin glargine and insulin detemir starts working in about 1 hour and lasts 20 to 26 hours.
Premixed insulin is a combination of 2 types of insulin usually a rapid- or short-acting insulin and an intermediate-acting insulin. What is rapid-acting insulin?
How can it help control my blood sugar level? When do I take rapid-acting insulin? Can I mix rapid-acting insulin with other types of insulin? How do I prepare the correct dose of insulin? Wash your hands. Take the plastic cover off the new insulin bottle.
Wipe the top of the bottle with a cotton swab that you have dipped in alcohol. Pull back the plunger of the syringe. This draws air into the syringe equal to the dose of insulin that you are taking. Then put the syringe needle through the rubber top of the insulin bottle.
Inject air into the bottle by pushing the syringe plunger forward. Then turn the bottle upside down. Make sure that the tip of the needle is in the insulin. Pull back on the syringe plunger to draw the correct dose of insulin into the syringe. The dose of insulin is measured in units. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the syringe before you take the needle out of the insulin bottle.
Air bubbles can cut down the amount of insulin that you get in your injection. If air bubbles are present, hold the syringe and the bottle straight up in one hand, tap the syringe with your other hand and let the air bubbles float to the top.
Push on the plunger of the syringe to move the air bubbles back into the insulin bottle. Then withdraw the correct insulin dose by pulling back on the plunger. Clean your skin with cotton dipped in alcohol.
Grab a fold of skin and inject the insulin at a degree angle. Where do I inject the insulin? Things to consider What is an insulin reaction? Signs of an insulin reaction and hypoglycemia include the following: Feeling very tired. Insulin is normally injected under the skin with a very small needle.
It can also be taken with an insulin pen. Your doctor will teach you exactly how to inject insulin, but here are the basics: Wash your hands. Take the plastic cover off the insulin bottle and wipe the top of the bottle with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Pull back the plunger of the syringe, drawing air into the syringe equal to the dose of insulin that you are taking measured in units.
Put the syringe needle through the rubber top of the insulin bottle. Inject air into the bottle by pushing the syringe plunger forward. Turn the bottle upside down.
Make sure that the tip of the needle is in the insulin. Pull back on the syringe plunger to draw the correct dose of insulin into the syringe see picture 1. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the syringe before you take the needle out of the insulin bottle. If there are air bubbles, hold the syringe and the bottle straight up, tap the syringe with your finger and let the air bubbles float to the top.
Push on the plunger of the syringe to move the air bubbles back into the insulin bottle. Then withdraw the correct insulin dose by pulling back on the plunger. Clean your skin with cotton dipped in alcohol see picture 2 , top. Grab a fold of skin and inject the insulin under the skin at a degree angle see picture 3.
Clean the injection area using cotton and alcohol top. Pinch an area of skin bottom. Ask your doctor which place you should use. Insulin injected near the stomach works fastest. Insulin injected into the thigh works slowest. Insulin injected into the arm works at medium speed. If you take too much insulin it will lower your blood sugar level too much, and you may get hypoglycemia also called an insulin reaction.
When you have hypoglycemia, you may feel cranky, more tired than usual, confused and shaky, and you may sweat more. You may get a headache, have a rapid heartbeat, or feel more hungry. In serious cases, you can pass out or have a seizure. Most people who take insulin have an insulin reaction at some time.
Talk to your doctor about what to do if you have hypoglycemia. Your doctor may suggest that you always have on hand a snack that has sugar in it, such as candy, fruit juice or regular not diet soda, to counteract hypoglycemia. Already a member or subscriber? Log in. Interested in AAFP membership? Learn more. This is a machine that provides the hormone through a port, removing the need for injections. Some pumps are automatic, while others require more user input.
Some individuals may need to supply two to four doses every day. Extra shots of rapid- or short-acting insulin may be necessary at mealtimes. Here, learn more about insulin pens. A doctor can help customize a safe and effective insulin therapy regimen for a person with type 1 diabetes. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, there are several different types of insulin that people can use separately or in combination.
These include :. A doctor will prescribe one of these insulins or a mixture alongside a carefully controlled schedule. Following this closely will reduce the risk of side effects and complications. Learn about different types of insulin here. Alternative treatment options include lifestyle and dietary changes and non-insulin medications, such as metformin.
However, if a person is unable to control their blood sugar levels using these treatments, a doctor may recommend insulin therapy. Women with gestational diabetes typically receive insulin, but they can also manage their diabetes with metformin.
A doctor will explain the safest way to take these medications during pregnancy. According to the American Diabetes Association ADA , several common myths surround the use of insulin therapy for people with type 2 diabetes.
People who take insulin may sometimes hear others make the following statements, but they have no basis in research or fact:. People with type 2 or gestational diabetes should discuss with their doctor whether insulin therapy is the best choice for them.
They may be able to use other treatment options to control their blood sugar levels, such as non-insulin medications and lifestyle and dietary changes. It is essential that people who need to take insulin monitor their blood sugar levels regularly. Taking too much or too little insulin can lead to side effects or complications. Following the prescribed treatment schedule is also vital.
It is essential not to miss a dose and take every dose at the right time. Anyone who experiences side effects while taking insulin therapy should speak to a doctor. It is possible that another treatment plan or a different type of insulin may be more suitable for their needs and lifestyle. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin daily to control their blood sugar levels and remain healthy.
However, this treatment can cause weight gain at the start of the course, and taking too much insulin can lead to hypoglycemia. Many individuals with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes can use non-insulin medications and lifestyle changes to manage their condition without needing insulin. When taking insulin, it is vital that people follow their treatment plan. Anyone experiencing side effects or complications while taking insulin should speak to their doctor, who can recommend other treatment plans or different types of insulin.
There are three well known types of diabetes. Learn more about each type, including their symptoms, causes, and risk factors here.
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