Who needs insulin treatment?
1-) Type 1 diabetics (insulin dependent diabetes),
2-) Type 2 diabetics whose blood sugar cannot be controlled with oral sugar-lowering pills,
3-) Which type Regardless of diabetes, patients with acute metabolic complications (coma)
4-) All diabetics who will undergo acute stress, trauma (such as accident, burn), surgical intervention (surgery),
5- ) All diabetics from the beginning to the end of pregnancy and those who develop diabetes during pregnancy,
6-) All diabetics with complications (such as retinopathy, neuropathy, diabetic foot, nephropathy),
7- Pancreas for any reason Those who have been surgically removed,
😎 Those who encounter conditions such as illness, stress, trauma, surgery or pregnancy need insulin injections.
What are the purposes of insulin therapy?
1- To normalize blood sugar
2- To prevent complications
3- To stop the progression if there are unavoidable complications,
4-For children
5-To prevent pregnancy and pregnancy related complications.
What should be considered while injecting insulin?
Factors such as the characteristics of the insulin applied during insulin injection, differences in the insulin injection site, heat, massage instead of injection, and exercise change the effectiveness of insulin. With gradually decreasing rate of absorption, it is followed by the arm, leg and hip regions.
The thickness of the fatty tissue (subcutaneous) between the skin and the muscle, the consistency of insulin, is as important as the choice of injection site. Insulin made into muscle acts more quickly and its effect lasts shorter. Conditions that increase blood flow (such as massage, heat application, temporary increase in temperature, exercise applied to the injection site) accelerate absorption.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF INSULIN THERAPY?
The most important side effect of insulin therapy is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar falls below 50 ml/dl. You may experience hypoglycemia if you change your insulin dose without consulting your doctor, if you skip meals, if you consume less carbohydrate-containing food than you should take in the meal, if you are more active or exercise compared to other days. Hypoglycemia can happen far from home, on the road, or anywhere and anytime. For this reason, you should definitely carry your diabetes ID card along with a fast-absorbing carbohydrate food (3-4 pieces of sugar cubes, 1 spoon of raisins, a small box of fruit juice, etc.). When you feel the symptoms of hypoglycemia, immediately take these sugary foods. It is vital for your family members, friends and helper to learn what the symptoms of low blood sugar are and how they are treated. If you are unconscious, a ‘glucagon ampoule’ should be injected immediately by your relatives. Glucagon is a hormone that quickly raises your blood sugar. You must keep it in the refrigerator at home. Insulin lipoatrophy is the side effect of insulin therapy, which occurs with the loss of adipose tissue in places where insulin injections are made. It is more common in young people and women. It develops as a result of injecting into the same place for a long time. It is common in children and young people with diabetes. In both cases, insulin injection sites need to be changed.
Insulin therapy is not addictive or habit-forming.
It is very wrong for the patient to force the doctor to delay insulin therapy. Insulin administration as early as possible and in sufficient doses prevents or slows down the damage that will occur. Insulin administration is a kind of ‘replacement’ therapy for the deficiency. This treatment program should be specific to each diabetes patient and should be shaped according to his/her lifestyle, habits and expectations.
Considerations before using insulin
Before using your insulin, review it carefully. If there is a feature in its appearance that does not suit you, this insulin may not function adequately. Crystallized insulins and insulin analogs are clear and colorless. Do not use crystalline insulins that are cloudy, darkened, have particles in them, or even lightly colored. If insulin is not stored properly, it may not function as expected. Store excess insulin cartridges or pens in the refrigerator door. Do not keep it in the heat and sun as much as possible. Never freeze insulin. If the temperature in your home is above 25°C, keep the insulin in the refrigerator. Do not allow insulin to stay in extreme heat or extreme cold (for example, do not leave it in a parked car or in direct sunlight). Carry insulin with you so that it is not lost; For example, when traveling by plane, take insulin in your handbag, do not leave it in your luggage. Always use insulin the same way. Take the doses recommended by your doctor. Excess insulin can cause your blood sugar to go too low. Insufficient insulin causes your blood sugar to rise excessively. Use insulin every day. Never skip or skip injections unless your doctor tells you to. Check the expiration date on the insulin before using it. Check the insulin before using it to make sure there are no defects. Record your usual way of using insulin. Write down the type and dose of insulin you use for each injection. Also record the injection time. Give insulin injections at the same time each day. Give each injection to a different injection site. Strike a balance between food and exercise and insulin. Excessive physical activity or eating too little can result in excessively low blood sugar. Eating too much can raise your blood sugar.
