Following An Insulin InjectionTreatment PlanFor Your Diabetic HealthSo you are a diabetic and the doctor has informed you that you will need an insulin injection for your treatment plan. Tons of questions are running through your mind because you always heard that only severe cases of diabetes were in need of shots for medical care. So some basic answers are now needed for your own diabetic health. General Rule: When To InjectFirst, and foremost, get this understanding in your head. Having to take an injection of the hormone insulin is not a sign of severe health conditions. It is a sign that, for some reason, your body is no longer capable of controlling your blood sugars at a recommended level. The insulin injection then is a means to help your body overcome its present difficulties.The reasons for your body's complications can be varied or a combination of several factors. The final result in each case is still the same though- high blood sugars which must be brought down and stabilized for your own future health.  Many diabetes educators give their patients the following guidelines for timing of their injections. Be sure to listen to your doctor's recommendation though first and do not deviate from that unless you have consulted them first.
Below is a standardized chart giving you a basic idea how your injection times could be scheduled depending on the type of insulin you are using.Always confirm with your doctor or pharmacist what type of insulin you will be using. Therefore after doing your pre-meal blood sugar test, you can easily determine from the chart below your recommended schedule.
Where Do I Inject?There is multiple sites you can insert your insulin injection (such as the arm, leg or the preferred location, the abdomen) but it is not recommended you skip around to different sites. Different parts of the body absorb the hormone at different rates of speed. So when continuously skipping locations, all blood sugar tests will not be useful for comparison purposes.If you do wish to change your site of injection, always pick the same approximate area at the same times every day. Therefore if using your leg for an AM injection, use your abdomen for a PM injection and continue on this schedule daily. For comparison purposes, this way you are getting a much truer reading. The most consistent and recommended location of injection though is the abdomen. Use the right and left side of your body, just switch back and forth. Always try to stay at least 1" away from your last injection site. Insulin StorageAlways read the manufacturer's insert first in case of any discrepancy but the common rule for storage is in the refrigerator for both vials and pens until the medication has been opened. After opening, storage at room temperature is permissible under 85 degrees for up to 28 days. Do not store in direct heat or light.Never freeze any container of insulin. In case of transport, do not ever put the insulin directly against a frozen ice pack. Extremely cold temperatures will negate the benefits of insulin, it will no longer be able to control your blood sugars. Excess cold temperatures, or shaking of the bottle can lead to cloudy medication. If your insulin becomes cloudy, dispose of the medication. It is now worthless for glucose control. So by following some of these guidelines and discussing them with your doctor, your insulin injection program can be easily and effectively maintained to aid in controlling your diabetic health. This site is not intended to replace the advice and supervision of your professional medical treatment plan. Although all of the information is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge, we still recommend you carefully check all food labels before consuming any food product. We can not assume any legal responsibility for any illness obtained while following the advice contained on this site.
|
