Some people who use rapid-acting insulin take it just before they eat. Rapid-acting insulin starts working more quickly than other types of insulin. It begins working within 15 minutes and leaves your body after 3 to 5 hours. To keep your blood sugar level steady throughout the day, your doctor may also prescribe a longer-acting insulin.
Or he or she may prescribe another drug for you to take each day in addition to rapid-acting insulin. You should inject rapid-acting insulin no more than 15 minutes before you eat. Your doctor will tell you how much insulin to inject. Remember, you should not wait more than 15 minutes to eat after you take this insulin shot. Rapid-acting insulin can be more convenient to take than regular insulin.
With regular insulin, you inject the insulin and then wait 30 to 60 minutes before eating. Many people find it hard to time their meals around regular insulin injections. Sometimes they end up eating too soon or too late. Since rapid-acting insulin is taken so close to mealtime, it may help you control your blood sugar more effectively. Rapid-acting insulin should always be drawn into the syringe first. This will keep the intermediate-acting insulin from getting into the rapid-acting insulin bottle.
After mixing rapid-acting insulin in the same syringe with an intermediate-acting insulin, you must inject the mixture under your skin within 15 minutes. Remember to eat within 15 minutes after the injection.
You may take insulin using a syringe that you fill from a vial or using a dosing pen that contains the insulin. If your rapid-acting insulin comes in a pen, your doctor or his or her office staff can show you how to use it correctly.
Follow the directions carefully. Insulin is injected just under the skin. Your doctor or his or her office staff will show you how and where to give an insulin injection.
The usual places to inject insulin are the upper arm, the front and side parts of the thighs, and the abdomen. To keep your skin from thickening, try not to inject the insulin in the same place over and over. Instead, rotate injection places. Rapid-acting insulin begins to work very quickly. So while you and your doctor are working to find the right dosage of this insulin, you may have some insulin reactions.
Hypoglycemia is the name for a condition in which the level of sugar in your blood is too low. Most people who take insulin have insulin reactions at some time. Signs of an insulin reaction and hypoglycemia include the following:. People who have diabetes should carry at least 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate with them at all times in case of hypoglycemia or an insulin reaction. The following are examples of quick sources of energy that can relieve the symptoms of an insulin reaction:.
Teach your friends, work colleagues, and family members how to treat hypoglycemia, because sometimes you may need their help. Also, keep a supply of glucagon on hand. Glucagon comes in a kit with a powder and a liquid that you must mix together and then inject.
It will raise your blood sugar level. Talk to your doctor to learn when and how to use glucagon. You need to check your blood sugar level regularly using a blood glucose monitor. Your doctor or his or her office staff can teach you how to use the monitor. He or she will use this information to decide how much insulin is right for you. Blood sugar measurements can vary depending on your lifestyle.
Stress levels, how often you exercise, and how fast your body absorbs food can affect measurements. Hormonal changes related to puberty, menstrual cycles, and pregnancy can, too.
Illness, traveling, or a change in your routine may mean that you have to monitor your blood sugar level more often. Clean your skin with cotton dipped in alcohol or an alcohol pad before you inject yourself.
Wait 20 seconds for the area to dry before you inject. This helps avoid infections. You should also wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before you handle any needles.
Your insulin treatment involves much more than injecting insulin. You need to check your blood sugar level regularly using a blood glucose monitor. Major changes could mean that you have to adjust your insulin dose. Write down each measurement or record it in an app on your phone to show to your doctor. Your doctor needs this information to determine how much insulin is right for you. The amount of mealtime insulin you need to inject is based on the number of servings of carbohydrates you plan on eating during a meal.
In the meantime, a dietitian can help you come up with a meal plan that works for you. There are also several smartphone applications and internet-based calculators available to help you figure out your carb intake and your corresponding insulin dosage.
You should also learn how to manage hypoglycemia if it happens to you. For example, you can eat or drink glucose tablets, juice, soda, or hard candies. You should also be extra cautious after vigorous exercise, as it can lower blood sugar for hours after the workout. If you do end up taking too much insulin and having a hypoglycemic episode, they should know how to help. If you become unconscious, a friend or family member can give you a shot of glucagon.
Talk to your doctor about keeping a supply of glucagon on hand and learning when and how to use it. Insulin is supposed to be injected into the fat layer under the skin using a short needle. This is referred to as a subcutaneous injection. If you inject the insulin too deep and it enters your muscle, your body may absorb it too quickly. The insulin might not last very long and the injection could be very painful.
Rapid-acting mealtime insulins were designed to be taken right before you eat to help you control your blood sugar more effectively. As the name suggests, rapid-acting insulin starts to work rapidly in the bloodstream. If you wait too long to eat, your blood sugar can actually end up getting too low. This puts you at risk for hypoglycemia. It may be easier to understand the importance of insulin therapy if you understand how this naturally occurring hormone usually works in the body and what happens if you have diabetes.
Your glucose levels will continue to rise after you eat because there's not enough insulin to move the glucose into your body's cells. People with type 2 diabetes don't use insulin efficiently insulin resistance and don't produce enough insulin insulin deficiency. People with type 1 diabetes make little or no insulin. Untreated, high blood glucose can eventually lead to complications such as blindness, nerve damage and kidney damage. If you have type 1 diabetes, insulin therapy is vital for replacing the insulin your body doesn't produce.
Sometimes, people with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes need insulin therapy if other treatments haven't been able to keep blood glucose levels within the desired range. Insulin therapy helps prevent diabetes complications by keeping your blood sugar within your target range. There are several types of insulin available that vary in how quickly and how long they can control blood sugar.
Frequently your doctor may recommend combining more than one type of insulin. To determine which types of insulin you need and how much you need, your doctor will consider factors such as the type of diabetes you have, your glucose levels, how much your blood sugar fluctuates throughout the day and your lifestyle.
Long-, ultralong- or intermediate-acting insulin. When you're not eating, your liver releases glucose so the body continually has energy. Long, ultra-long or intermediate-acting insulin helps the body use this glucose and keeps glucose levels from rising too high. These insulins work for between eight and 40 hours, depending on the type.
Rapid- or short-acting insulin. These insulins are ideal for preventing blood sugar spikes after you eat. They begin to work much faster than long-acting or intermediate-acting insulins do, sometimes in as little as three minutes. But they work for a much shorter period of time, usually about two to four hours. Insulin doesn't come in pill form because the digestive system would break it down before it had a chance to work. But there are several choices for insulin delivery.
Your doctor can help you decide which fits best with your lifestyle and treatment needs. Insulin therapy can sometimes be demanding, but it's an effective way to lower blood sugar levels. If you have any trouble with your insulin regimen, such as difficulty avoiding very low or very high blood sugar levels, be sure to talk to your doctor to see if any adjustments need to be made.
By choosing an insulin regimen that fits your needs and lifestyle, you can prevent diabetes complications and lead an active, healthy life. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address.
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