Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body. It allows cells in the body to absorb glucose from the blood and use it for energy.
Insulin is used to treat diabetes, a condition in which the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin effectively. Insulin therapy can help people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels and prevent complications associated with high blood sugar.
There are several types of insulin, including rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin. Each type works differently and has a different duration of action.
The cell type responsible for insulin production is called beta cells. These cells are located in the pancreas, specifically within clusters known as the Islets of Langerhans.
Insulin can be administered via injection or an insulin pump. Injection methods include using a syringe, a pen device, or an insulin jet injector.
Common side effects of insulin include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), weight gain, and injection site reactions such as redness, swelling, and itching.
No, insulin cannot be taken orally because it would be destroyed by digestive enzymes in the stomach.
No, insulin should not be reused because it can become contaminated and lose its effectiveness.
If a person with diabetes doesn’t take insulin, their blood sugar levels can become dangerously high, leading to a condition called hyperglycemia. Over time, this can damage organs and tissues in the body and lead to complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
No, insulin cannot cure diabetes. It is a treatment for the condition and must be taken regularly to maintain proper blood sugar control.
No, insulin is a prescription medication and must be obtained with a prescription from a healthcare provider.
Insulin can generally be left out of the refrigerator for up to 28 days before it begins to lose its effectiveness, depending on the specific type of insulin and the manufacturer’s guidelines. If your insulin was left out for 2 hours, it should still be safe to use.
However, there are a few important things to consider:
1. Insulin should be kept at room temperature, which is typically between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius (59 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). If it was left in a place much hotter or colder than this, it could potentially degrade faster.
2. Once stored at room temperature, insulin should not be put back in the refrigerator.
3. Always inspect your insulin before use. Do not use it if it appears cloudy, clumped, or discolored.
4..Different types of insulin may have different storage requirements, so always check the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Remember, this advice is general in nature and individual healthcare needs might differ. If you’re unsure about the safety of your insulin, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider.
An insulin pump is a small, computerized device used by people with diabetes to deliver insulin continuously throughout the day. It mimics the way a healthy pancreas would deliver insulin. The pump is typically worn outside the body, often clipped to a belt or pocket, and connected to the body through a small tube with a tiny needle at the end, which is inserted under the skin.
Key features of an insulin pump:
Continuous Insulin Delivery: The pump provides a steady, continuous dose of insulin (basal rate) to help maintain blood sugar levels between meals and overnight.
Bolus Doses: At mealtime, the user can program the pump to deliver a larger dose of insulin (bolus) to cover the carbohydrates in the food.
Customization: The user can adjust the amount of insulin delivered based on their blood sugar levels, activity, and food intake.
Monitoring: Some insulin pumps come with a built-in glucose monitor or can be paired with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to help track blood sugar levels in real-time.
Insulin pumps offer a more flexible and precise way to manage diabetes, especially for people who need to take multiple daily injections of insulin.
Yes, insulin syringes can be used for vitamin B12 injections.
Insulin syringes are often used for subcutaneous (under the skin) injections, and B12 can be administered this way. However, vitamin B12 is most often administered via an intramuscular injection, which typically requires a needle that is longer and thicker than what is found on an insulin syringe. The goal is to reach the muscle tissue beneath the skin and fat layer.
If you’re self-administering B12 injections, consult with a healthcare provider first to ensure you’re using the correct technique and equipment for your personal circumstances.
Also, it’s important to note that needles and syringes should never be reused or shared, as this can lead to infection or disease transmission. Always use a new, sterile syringe for each injection.
If you miss an insulin dose, your blood sugar levels can become too high, a condition known as hyperglycemia.
Symptoms of hyperglycemia can include:
1. Increased thirst
2. Frequent urination
3. Fatigue
4. Headache
5. Blurred vision
6. Increased hunger
If left untreated, hyperglycemia can lead to serious health problems. In the short term, extremely high blood sugar levels can lead to a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, and confusion. In the long term, consistently high blood sugar levels can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, and nerve damage.
If you realize you’ve missed a dose of insulin, don’t panic. The best course of action is to check your blood sugar level and then follow the plan you’ve developed with your healthcare provider for missed doses. This might involve taking the missed dose as soon as you remember or waiting until your next scheduled dose. It depends on factors like how long it’s been since you were supposed to take the dose and your current blood sugar level.
If you’re unsure what to do or feel unwell, contact your healthcare provider or seek medical attention.
It is important to prevent missed doses. Strategies to help with this can include setting reminders, maintaining a consistent routine, and always carrying a supply of insulin with you.
The Tandem t:slim insulin pump doesn’t have a traditional “off” function like some electronic devices. This is because it’s designed to deliver insulin continuously, and turning it off could disrupt insulin delivery, which can be very dangerous.
However, there are ways to stop insulin delivery if needed:
1. Suspending Insulin Delivery: On the Home screen, press “Options” and then “Stop Insulin.” On the next screen, confirm the action by pressing “Stop Insulin” again. To resume insulin delivery, press “Options” and then “Resume Insulin” and confirm.
2. Disconnecting the Infusion Set: If you need to stop insulin delivery for longer, such as for swimming or contact sports, you can disconnect the infusion set. Remember to reconnect it and resume insulin delivery as soon as you can.
If you’re looking to stop using the pump permanently, it’s recommended that you talk to your healthcare provider first. They can guide you on how to safely transition back to injections or another insulin delivery method. Also, remember to keep the pump stored safely if you decide to use it again.
Always refer to your device’s user manual or contact Tandem Diabetes Care for specific instructions and support with your device.
Insulin injections can sometimes cause a burning sensation, and there are a few reasons why this might happen:
1. Cold Insulin: Insulin that has been in the refrigerator and hasn’t had time to reach room temperature can cause a burning sensation when injected. Generally, it is recommended that you let the insulin vial or pen you are currently using stay at room temperature.
2. Injection Technique: If the needle is not inserted correctly or if the insulin is injected too quickly, it can cause discomfort or a burning sensation.
3. Site Rotation: If you inject insulin in the same spot or area repeatedly, it can cause lipohypertrophy, a thickened, rubbery swelling under the skin. Injecting insulin into these areas can cause discomfort or a burning sensation. It’s important to rotate your injection sites to avoid this.
4. Type of Insulin: Some types of insulin are reported to cause a burning sensation more often than others. If you consistently experience a burning sensation with a specific type of insulin, it might be worth discussing with your healthcare provider.
5. Skin Sensitivity or Allergy: Some people might have an allergic reaction to insulin or to the preservatives or other substances in the insulin formulation. This can cause redness, swelling, itching, or a burning sensation at the injection site.
If the burning sensation is severe, persistent, or associated with other symptoms, you should consult your healthcare provider. They can help determine the cause and suggest necessary changes to your insulin or injection technique.
When using the Tandem t:slim insulin pump, you should always prime the infusion set after filling a new cartridge with insulin. Priming is the process of filling the tubing and cannula (the small tube that goes under your skin) with insulin, which helps ensure that you’re receiving the correct amount of insulin once you start the pump.
Filling the cartridge without priming could lead to air bubbles in the tubing or cannula, which can cause you to receive less insulin than intended. This can result in high blood sugar levels.
Here are general steps on how to fill the cartridge and prime the infusion set:
1. Fill the Cartridge: Connect the syringe to the vial of insulin and draw up the desired amount of insulin. Then, connect the syringe to the cartridge and inject the insulin into it.
2. Load the Cartridge: Insert the filled cartridge into the pump and follow the prompts on the pump screen to load the cartridge.
3. Connect the Infusion Set: Connect the tubing of the infusion set to the cartridge.
4. Prime the Infusion Set: Follow the prompts on the pump screen to start the priming process. This will push insulin through the tubing and cannula, removing any air bubbles.
Always refer to your device’s user manual or contact Tandem Diabetes Care for specific instructions and support. If you’re unsure about any steps in this process, consult your healthcare provider or diabetes educator.
One unit of insulin in a syringe is exactly that—one unit. There’s no conversion needed! The markings on the syringe itself denote the number of units.
Most common insulin syringes aren’t designed for such small measurements. They typically measure in whole units (1, 2, 3, etc.). If you need a very precise dose under 1 unit, talk to your doctor about using a specific syringe designed for such small volumes.
2 units on an insulin syringe will be a clearly marked line on the syringe barrel. Look for the small lines (usually 1 unit markings) and count two up from the zero line.
There’s no direct conversion between units and milliliters (mL) on an insulin syringe, but they are related. Standard insulin is U-100, meaning 100 units per 1 mL. However, syringes are marked in units, not mL. If you have a specific dose prescribed in mL, consult your doctor to ensure you have the right size syringe and understand how the markings translate to your dose.
Falling asleep after eating is not necessarily a sign of diabetes, but it could indicate other health issues or lifestyle factors. Feeling tired or sleepy after a meal, particularly a large or high-carbohydrate meal, is relatively common and can be due to the body’s process of digesting food and releasing insulin to manage blood sugar levels. However, if you consistently experience extreme fatigue after meals, it may be a symptom of insulin resistance or uncontrolled blood sugar levels, which could be related to diabetes.
If you are concerned about this symptom or have other risk factors for diabetes, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.