Contents:
- Medical Video: How to Use an Insulin Pen - Mayo Clinic Patient Education
- Syringe
- Where is insulin injected?
- Abdominal area
- Thigh
- Arm
- Buttocks
- How to inject insulin
- Tips that you can use
- Conclusion
Medical Video: How to Use an Insulin Pen - Mayo Clinic Patient Education
There are various ways to use insulin, including using syringes, insulin pens, insulin pumps, and injector jet. Your doctor will help decide which is best for you. Syringes remain a commonly used method for inserting insulin into the body. Syringes are the cheapest option and most insurance companies cover the costs.
Syringe
Syringes vary based on the amount of insulin they put in and the size of the needle. They are made of plastic and must be removed after use.
Traditionally, the needle used in insulin therapy is a needle that has a length of 12.7 millimeters (mm). As reported in Diabetes Technology & Management, recent research shows that needles smaller, 8 mm, 6 mm and 4 mm are also effective, regardless of your body weight. This makes insulin injections more acceptable and less painful as previously known.
Where is insulin injected?
Insulin must be injected into fat tissue under your skin. If you inject insulin deeper into the muscles, your body will use it too fast. This can cause blood glucose levels to be very low.
Most people who use insulin every day change their injection points. This is important, because injecting in the same place from time to time can cause lipodystrophy. In this condition, fat can be damaged or accumulated
under the skin. Lipodystrophy causes lumps or grooves that interfere with insulin absorption.
You can rotate different areas of the stomach, keeping the injection point about one inch apart. You can also inject insulin into other parts of the body.
Abdominal area
Stomach is the preferred area when injecting insulin. Because the stomach can absorb insulin faster and is predictable. Stomach is also easy to reach. Select the part between the bottom of your ribs and your pubic area, clean the area around your belly button.
You definitely want to avoid the area around scars, moles, or skin stains. They can interfere with the way your body absorbs insulin. Also keep away from damaged blood vessels and varicose veins.
Thigh
Inject into the upper and outer thighs, about 4 inches from the top of your legs and 4 inches up from your knees.
Arm
Use it on the fat area on the back of your arm, between your shoulder and elbow.
Buttocks
The soft top of the buttocks is a frequently used part. Don't inject on the buttocks used to sit. Conversely, target the higher part, which is usually the location of the back pocket of the pants.
How to inject insulin
The quality of insulin you inject is very important. If cooled, wait until the insulin reaches room temperature. If insulin is cloudy, mix the contents by rotating the vial between your hands for a few seconds. Be sure not to shake the bottle, and not use insulin that has been rough, thickened, or changes color.
Follow the steps to inject safe and appropriate insulin:
Step 1
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Step 2
Wipe the injection site with alcohol.
Step 3
Hold the syringe perpendicular (the needle above) and pull it plunger down to the end plunger reach the same size as the dose you will inject.
Step 4
Remove the lid from the insulin bottle and needle. If you have used this bottle before, clean the plug at the top with an alcohol swab.
Step 5
Push the needle into the plug and push it plunger down. The air will replace the amount of insulin you will take.
Step 6
Keep the needle in a bottle, turn it upside down. Pull plunger down to the black end plunger reach the right dose on the syringe.
Step 7
If there are bubbles in the syringe, pat gently, and the bubbles will rise to the top. Push the syringe to release the bubble back into the bottle. Pull plunger go down again until you reach the correct dose.
Step 8
Place the insulin bottle down and hold the syringe like you do with a pen.
Step 9
To avoid injections into the muscle, gently "pinch" the skin 1-2 inches before inserting the needle. Immediately remove the clamped skin after you push plunger down. With small needles, this pinch process may not be needed.
Step 10
Insert the needle at a 90 degree angle. Push plunger all down and wait for 10 seconds before removing the needle.
Tips that you can use
Use these tips for more comfortable and effective injections:
- If you clean the skin using alcoholic cotton, it might sting a little if you don't wait for alcohol to dry before injecting it yourself.
- You can numb your skin with ice cubes for a few minutes before rubbing with alcohol.
- Avoid injecting into the roots of body hair.
- Ask your doctor if there is a chart to track your injection area.
Conclusion
You are not alone in treating diabetes. Before starting insulin therapy, your doctor or health educator will show you the guide. Remember, if you inject insulin for the first time, feel suffering from it, or just have a question, meet your health team for advice and instruction.
