When is insulin needed

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.

Last Updated: August 17, This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Exercise can help people who have diabetes.

It can help control your weight, lower your blood sugar level, and…. What you eat is closely connected to the amount of sugar in your blood. The right food choices will…. There are 3 tools that…. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Prescription Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medicines.

Naltrexone for Alcoholism. Blood Pressure Monitoring at Home. Why do I need to take insulin? Path to improved health How often will I need to take insulin? Do I need to monitor my blood sugar level? When should I take insulin?

Types of insulin: Rapid-acting insulin such as insulin lispro, insulin aspart, and insulin glulisine starts working in about 15 minutes. It lasts for 3 to 5 hours.

Short-acting insulin such as regular insulin starts working in 30 to 60 minutes and lasts 5 to 8 hours. Intermediate-acting insulin such as insulin NPH starts working in 1 to 3 hours and lasts 12 to 16 hours. Long-acting insulin such as insulin glargine and insulin detemir starts working in about 1 hour and lasts 20 to 26 hours. Premixed insulin is a combination of 2 types of insulin usually a rapid- or short-acting insulin and an intermediate-acting insulin. What is rapid-acting insulin?

How can it help control my blood sugar level? When do I take rapid-acting insulin? Can I mix rapid-acting insulin with other types of insulin? How do I prepare the correct dose of insulin? Wash your hands. Take the plastic cover off the new insulin bottle.

Wipe the top of the bottle with a cotton swab that you have dipped in alcohol. Pull back the plunger of the syringe. This draws air into the syringe equal to the dose of insulin that you are taking. Then put the syringe needle through the rubber top of the insulin bottle. Inject air into the bottle by pushing the syringe plunger forward. Then turn the bottle upside down. Make sure that the tip of the needle is in the insulin. Pull back on the syringe plunger to draw the correct dose of insulin into the syringe.

The dose of insulin is measured in units. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the syringe before you take the needle out of the insulin bottle. Dosing and Type Your dosing schedule and insulin type will depend on how advanced your diabetes is, plus your weight, age, level of physical activity, and the diabetic diet you're on. There's no "standard dose" for insulin. Self-Testing Work with your team to come up with a blood sugar testing schedule at home.

You may be instructed to check your blood sugar three or four times per day during the adjustment period. Your healthcare team will use information about your fasting, pre-meal, and post-meal blood sugar levels to make changes to your insulin regimen. Hypoglycemia Learn the symptoms of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia , and what to do if you have them. The warning signs include feeling cold, shaky, dizzy, or confused.

Symptoms can come on suddenly, so patients should know to drink a half-glass of juice, eat some hard candies, or chew some glucose tabs. Treatment Team During the transition, stay in close contact with your treatment team. People starting insulin are often advised to meet with their health care providers on a weekly basis until blood sugars stabilize and the appropriate insulin dose is determined.

Unfortunately, in those who already have complications, some of the damage is not reversible," said Mazhari. In many cases this can help reduce the number or dose of the diabetic medication the patient is on, including insulin," Mazhari added. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Injections of insulin can help manage both types of diabetes. Many people living with type 2 diabetes can manage their blood glucose levels with lifestyle changes and oral medication. All types of insulin produce the same effect. They are used to mimic the natural increases and decreases of insulin levels in the body during the day. The makeup of different types of insulin affects how fast and how long they work.

Insulin is most commonly administered through a syringe, insulin pen , or insulin pump. The type of insulin injection you use will be based on your personal preference, health needs, and insurance coverage. Your doctor or diabetes educator will show you how to give yourself the injections. You can inject the insulin under the skin in many different parts of your body, such as your:. Your doctor will likely also explain the importance of changing where on your body you inject insulin to prevent lumps or fatty deposits from forming at the injection site.

Learn more: How to give a subcutaneous injection. Both syringes and insulin pens use a small needle to inject insulin into your body. There are two ways to get your insulin without using a syringe or needle. Your doctor will decide if one of these options works for your personal needs.

Insulin pumps :. Insulin inhalers :. However, injecting cold insulin may make the injection feel more painful. Insulin kept at room temperature can last about a month. Side effects from injecting or receiving insulin are rare, but can occur in certain cases. The symptoms of mild allergic reactions are swelling, itching, or redness around the injection area. More severe insulin allergies may include nausea and vomiting.

Hypoglycemia , or blood glucose levels that are too low, can sometimes occur when you take insulin. Symptoms of low blood sugar include:. People living with type 1 diabetes must use insulin to help control their blood sugar, but those living with type 2 diabetes may be able to use oral medications to help manage their blood sugar instead of injections.

Oral medication is typically prescribed along with lifestyle changes, such as increased activity, weight loss if applicable , and diet changes. Medications for type 2 diabetes are designed to lower blood glucose levels, but they may not work for everyone.

Typically, they work best for people who have recently developed diabetes and do not use supplemental insulin. Some medications include :. Before prescribing any of these oral medications, your doctor will talk with you about your medical history and any additional medications you take.

People living with type 2 diabetes can manage, and maybe even reverse, their diagnosis with lifestyle changes. There are a few ways to take insulin, from syringes, to insulin pens, to an insulin pump, or even with an inhaler. Maintaining blood glucose levels helps reduce the risk of diabetes complications , such as blindness and the loss of limbs. In addition to insulin and oral medications, lifestyle changes can help prevent your blood glucose level from getting too high. Insulin is a very important hormone in the body.