How to use insulin injection and pen?

Insulin cannot be taken in tablet or syrup form. Because insulin in the stomach is destroyed by enzymes. This enzyme helps digest food before it enters the bloodstream. Insulin is given with the help of a syringe into the layer of fat under the skin, which is also called 'subcutaneous'. However, with time and technology, insulin pens and insulin pumps are also being used, and both are easy methods.

An insulin pen is a device that looks like a simple fountain pen, while an insulin pump looks like a pager that has to be worn. A tube is attached to this which gives you insulin from time to time. However, despite the easy technology, it is not used much due to being very expensive.

Insulin injections are mostly given in the fat layer on the abdomen (four fingers or 2 inches away from the navel), buttocks, sides of the thighs, buttocks, and back. After insulin enters the body, it is absorbed into the bloodstream, from where it spreads to cells throughout the body.

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Insulin syringes have been used since the discovery of insulin, as it is a cheap and readily available medium. The insulin in the vial is filled with a syringe and once used it is not recommended to be used again. However, one problem is seen with the use of syringes, which is the introduction of insulin in the wrong dose. To avoid this, read the insulin vial carefully and check that you are using the syringe with the correct dosage i.e. 40IU with 40IU insulin and 100IU with 100IU. The correct way to inject insulin with a syringe is as follows -

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling insulin.
• Clean the rubber on the top of the insulin vial with an alcohol swab or spirit and cotton.
• Fill the insulin in the syringe according to the units prescribed by the doctor.
• Keep in mind, while filling insulin in the syringe, take special care of the unit and during this time no bubble should be seen. If a bubble appears, push one unit out, and check to see if anything is stuck in the eye of the needle.
• Hold the fatty skin with your left hand and inject with the right hand straight i.e. at a 90-degree angle.
• Insert the needle into the skin and slowly depress the syringe to inject the dose. Make sure the syringe is empty, wait 10 seconds after the insulin has entered the body, and remove the syringe leaving the skin.
• Use a syringe only once and do not share it with anyone.
• Apart from this, use a different place every time to apply the syringe, do not apply insulin in the same place. Due to this, lumps can be formed at that place, due to which insulin will not be absorbed there and the pain will also be more.

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An insulin pen is a fountain pen-like device, which is mainly of 2 types: the first can be used only once and the second can be used again. Your doctor may prescribe an insulin pen depending on your need and duration of use. Single-use pens must be thrown away, while other pens can be reused by changing the cartridge. Pen needles come in different lengths (4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 mm). You can use it according to your skin thickness requirement and budget. The correct way to inject insulin from a pen is as follows -

• Step 1 - First of all, take out the insulin from the fridge and keep it in the room for 25-30 minutes, so that its temperature matches the room temperature. If the color of the insulin is cloudy or milky, take it between the palms and roll it gently.
• Step 2 - To insert the needle into the pen, remove the cover on the needle and screw it into the front of the pen and turn it clockwise. When the needle is stable in place, remove the cover over the needle.
• Step 3 - Make sure that the needle in the pen is not stuck, for this fill 2 units and then push the back end of the pen to push the insulin out. If the insulin is not coming out, use the same method until the insulin comes out. Once insulin comes out of the pen, it means that the needle of the pen is perfect and clean. Similarly, if any bubble is seen in the pen, it should also be thrown out.
• Step 4 - The dose should be taken in the correct amount and rechecked, for this, the number can be read by looking in the dialing window, if it is equal to the number you have dialed then the insulin pen has been used May go.
• Step 5 - Now inject the insulin into the thickest part of the skin (where there is fat). In most cases, 2 inches away from the navel, it is applied on all four sides or the outer part of the thighs, the back of the arm, and the outer part of the hips. Keep in mind, change the place every time.
• Step 6 - Grip the pen firmly with all four of your fingers. On the other hand, hold the fat where the insulin is to be injected. Now apply straight insulin from a 90-degree angle. If you are thin or a child has to inject insulin, then injection can also be done at an angle of 45 degrees.

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You should take care of some things for insulin to be used properly and it does not cause problems to you or anyone else, which are as follows:

Do not share an insulin pen with others - Sharing an insulin pen with others increases the risk of bloodborne diseases and infections. These threats include hepatitis or HIV. You can use your insulin pen with a new needle many times. But if you share your insulin pen with someone else, it can be very unsafe.

The American Diabetes Association says that when using an insulin pen, blood, and skin cells can also get into the insulin cartridge. In such a situation, the risk of infection remains every time sharing the insulin pen with someone else. So make sure everyone at home who takes insulin with a needle has their insulin pen.

How to store insulin - If insulin is kept in a too-cold or hot place, it reduces the ability of insulin to control blood sugar. The longer the insulin remains in this state, the less effective it will be. The correct way to store insulin is as follows -

• Keep the unopened insulin bottle or pen in the refrigerator door (2°C to 7°C temperature).
• A used insulin bottle can be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
• Remove the needle from the pen, this will prevent bubble formation inside the pen.

Some patients with diabetes require constant insulin. In this case, they can take insulin through injection or pen. Therefore, it is important to know how to take insulin. Also, it is necessary to be careful while taking it. Here in this article, we have tried to explain in detail how to use insulin.

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