How can I take insulin safely, correctly, and without experiencing a sugar crash?

Check your levels periodically throughout the day and whenever you think they could be becoming low. (Source: Thinkstock/Getty Images)

Hypoglycemia, a condition when blood sugar levels are dangerously low, can be caused by using too much insulin. An insulin dose can be fatal depending on a person's weight, sensitivity to insulin, and other factors. The following information on how to inject insulin is provided by Dr. Sanjay Agarwal, Head of Internal Medicine and Senior Diabetologist at Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune and Secretary, Governing Council, National Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India.

How might administering insulin incorrectly have a negative impact on your blood sugar level?

The body's blood sugar levels are regulated by the hormone insulin. It is essential for people with diabetes because their bodies either do not produce enough insulin or do not use it well. A condition known as hypoglycemia, in which blood sugar levels are dangerously low, can, however, be caused by administering too much insulin. An insulin dose can be fatal depending on a person's weight, sensitivity to insulin, and other factors. It's critical to keep in mind that taking excessive quantities of insulin can cause severe hypoglycemia, which can occasionally result in death. Seizures, comas, and other serious side effects might occur.


It's important to regularly check your blood sugar levels when using insulin and to follow your doctor's recommendations. It's important to always keep track of the amount of insulin you've given and to stick to the recommended dosage.

If you suspect you may have taken too much insulin or if you experience hypoglycemia symptoms like confusion, trembling, sweating, or weakness, it's imperative to get medical attention straight away.

How can insulin be safely administered?

1. Unless specifically instructed, never use one syringe to administer two distinct types of insulin. It will also be stated which insulin to draw up first. Always follow that order.

2. Your doctor will advise you on how much of each insulin you need. The sum of these two numbers is required. This quantity of the material should be present in the syringe before injecting the insulin.

3. Use cold water and soap to wash your hands. Verify that they are fully dry.

4. Check the label on the insulin package.Verify that you are taking the appropriate kind of insulin.

5. There should be no clumps on the sides of the insulin vial. If it happens, grab a fresh bottle and discard the previous one.

6. Insulin should be given to patients at room temperature. If you've been storing it in a cooler bag or the refrigerator, take it out 30 minutes before the injection. After you start using it, an insulin vial can be stored at room temperature for a further 28 days. assemble your tools, which should include alcohol wipes, syringes, needles, insulin, and a container for used syringes and needles.


7. Check to see if your insulin dosage is correct all around. Place the syringe carefully so that nothing comes in contact with the needle.

8. Before inserting the needle at a 45-degree angle, pinch the skin.

9. You might be able to inject 90 degrees up and down, depending on how thick your skin tissues are. Consult your doctor before you do this.

10. Fully pierce the skin with the needle. Holding onto the squeezed skin won't help.

11. Continue injecting the insulin steadily and gradually until it is completely absorbed.

12. Keep the syringe stationary for five seconds after giving the drug.


What should we do if this fails?

After injection, a large dose of long-acting insulin may have an impact on you for up to 24 hours. Depending on the degree of the overdose, you may be able to stop a hypoglycemic attack. If the overdose was significant, such as a double dose, take carbohydrates to boost your blood sugar levels and call your health team or after-hours service for advice. Take more carbs than usual and aim to maintain higher-than-average blood sugar levels over the following 24 hours if the overdose was less severe—say, up to five units too much—to prevent hypoglycemia.

Check your levels periodically during the day and if you think they could be getting too low. Before going to bed, consume lots of carbohydrates. It is better to have higher blood sugar levels when you wake up than to run the risk of having them dangerously low while you sleep. Avoid going too low. If you are unsure, contact your health team or an after-hours service.


Does winter cause an increase in blood sugar?

During the winter, people typically skip their regular physical activities like yoga, exercise, and morning and evening strolls, which raise blood sugar levels.

Diabetics should also comprehend Raynaud's phenomenon, an autoimmune condition. During cold temperatures, blood arteries in the hands and feet typically contract. Some of its symptoms include numbness and coldness in the fingers and toes.

As the temperature gets colder, people consume more sugar and include Indian cuisine in their diet. Increased sugar consumption raises blood glucose levels, which makes things tough for diabetics. Although it is common to feel more lethargic in the winter, people with diabetes and pre-diabetes should never skip their usual physical activities.


Why do diabetics get bone discomfort throughout the winter?

A Charcot joint is a type of joint degeneration caused by nerve injury and is a typical side effect of diabetes. Most commonly, the feet are affected, and you may experience numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation. They could become hot, red, and bloated, as well as unstable or misshapen. Even while there might be discomfort in the affected joint, it might not actually be.

The disorder known as osteoporosis increases the risk of fracture by making bones fragile. Osteoporosis is more likely to strike those with Type 1 diabetes. Rarely do people experience early osteoporosis symptoms. As the problem worsens, you can eventually have height loss, a stooped posture, or broken bones.


Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that causes the cartilage in the joints to deteriorate. Your body's joints could all be affected. Osteoarthritis is more likely to develop in people with Type 2 diabetes due to obesity than it is to the disease itself. Osteoarthritis can cause joint pain, stiffness, and a reduction in flexibility or range of motion.


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