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TAKING MEDICATIONS Why take insulin? How does Insulin work? Diabetes is a progressive condition. Depending on what type a person has, their healthcare team will be able to determine which medications they should be taking and help them understand how your medications work. They can demonstrate how to inject insulin. Effective drug therapy in combination with healthy lifestyle choices, can lower blood glucose levels, reduce the risk for diabetes complications and produce other clinical benefits. The goal is for the patient to be knowledgeable about insulin, including its action, side effects, efficacy, toxicity, prescribed dosage, appropriate timing and frequency of administration, effect of missed and delayed doses and instructions for storage, travel and safety.
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Taking Medications
Washington Association of Diabetes Educators
www.DiabetesAnswers.org or www.WADEpage.org
All About Insulin
Managing Diabetes: InsulinYour doctor may prescribe insulin early in on your treatment and in combination with pills. Insulin is also used in people with type 2 diabetes who develop "beta-cell failure." This means the cells in the pancreas no longer produce insulin in response to high blood sugar levels. In this case, insulin therapy — injections or an insulin pump — must become part of the daily routine.
Treating Diabetes With InsulinWith diabetes, your body often doesn't make enough insulin to control blood sugars. Doctors may prescribe insulin based on how long you've had diabetes and what type you have, your blood glucose level, your overall health and lifestyle, and what other medicine you take. When you have diabetes, giving yourself insulin injections and checking your blood sugar can become a part of everyday life.
Tips for Injecting InsulinWhen you start taking insulin, a medical professional will teach you how to inject yourself, and you'll practice until you're comfortable. When doing shots, rotate where you inject to avoid building up scar tissue. For example, give yourself your shot on one side of your abdomen at breakfast, the other side at lunch, and in your leg at dinner. Avoid injecting near your joints, groin, navel, middle abdomen, or scars.
Different Types of InsulinInsulin types vary depending on how fast they work, when they peak, and how long they last. Rapid-acting, short-acting, and pre-mixed insulin are timed to meals. Long-acting and intermediate-acting are not timed to meals. The glucose-lowering effects of these insulins can last up to 24 hours.
Timing Mealtime InsulinIf you take shorter-acting and pre-mixed insulin, timing is important. It must be working in your system while food is being absorbed in order to avoid hypoglycemia. Rapid-acting insulin is taken right before or immediately after meals. Short-acting insulin is taken 30 to 60 minutes prior to meals. Pre-mixed insulin is taken twice a day before meals.
When You've Had Too Much InsulinIf you've had too much insulin, or you haven't eaten and you’re on insulin, you can become hypoglycemic. If you start experiencing symptoms -- feeling tired, weak, or shaky -- you usually can treat mild hypoglycemia by eating or drinking something with sugar, such as juice, or taking glucose tablets. Be sure to tell your doctor about your hypoglycemic episode. Sometimes the amount of insulin you take may need adjusting.
For More Control, Pumps May HelpIf you're having trouble regulating your insulin and blood sugar, you may want to consider an insulin pump. They come with a programmable dose calculator to easily control your insulin dosage and help maintain steady blood sugar. No matter how you take your medication, know you can always ask your doctor for help in controlling your blood sugar. Together you can find ways to find the right balance between diet, exercise, and medication.
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Find out More
Washington Association of Diabetes Educators
www.DiabetesAnswers.org or www.WADEpage.org
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