Insulin Pump Management
What is an Insulin Pump?
Another newer way to take insulin is with an insulin pump. This pump is similar to a small mobile phone, inside which a regular or rapid insulin vial is placed. From the insulin vial, the insulin reaches inside the body through a thin plastic tube, just like if you take a normal injection. The difference is that the tube remains in the same body and is changed only once in 3 days. The pump is set according to the amount of the dose, so that when it is time for a meal, the pump delivers a larger dose, (bolus) and when it is not time for a meal, the pump continues a small, continuous dose. This constant dose replaces your NPH or Glargine, the constant dose (Basal Rate) can be set beforehand. By keeping it low for a few hours (like every morning when sugar is likely to rise), you can take it for all big and small meals during the day, without needing to inject multiple times. In this way, using the pump, you can have better control. But to take full advantage of the pump, insulin dosage has to be controlled by doing blood tests 4-5 times a day and coordinating with the carbohydrate diet. Pump tubes etc. are very expensive at present. If you would like more information in this regard, please contact our team.
Remember:
1. Use insulin injections daily. Never stop taking insulin on your own, even when you are sick.
2. Increase or decrease the amount of insulin according to the instructions given by the doctor.
Where to inject
Now it is most important on which part of the body you should inject.The best places to take insulin are the abdomen, thighs, and arms.Never inject into a muscle or vein.Clean the skin thoroughly before giving the injection.Use a new needle each time you inject.
How to get an injection: step-by-step procedure
- insert an insulin cartridge.
- Pull off the cover. Twist the cartridge holder open and separate from the body of the pen. Push the screw back into the pen.
- Insert the short end of the insulin cartridge into the cartridge holder.
- Now insert the cartridge holder and pen body together. Tighten the cartridge holder to the pen body by twisting it tightly.
- Check insulin.
For cloudy insulin only:
Slowly move the pen in a circular motion on your palm 10 times and turn the pen upside down 10 times.
The insulin solution should appear as a homogeneous mixture.
Prime the pen.
Remove the paper tab from the outer shield of the needle. Place the needle directly on the cartridge holder. Pull off the outer cap and inner cap. To remove the needle after injection, hold the outer cap.
Inject dose of Insulin
- Turn the dose knob to the desired dose mark.
- Insert the needle, place your thumb on the injection button and slowly push down until the button stops moving. Keep holding the button for 5 seconds, then pull the needle out of the skin. Now check to see if there is a 0 mark on the dose window to make sure you have taken your full dose.Insert the needle, place your thumb on the injection button and slowly push down until the button stops moving. Keep holding the button for 5 seconds, then pull the needle out of the skin. Now check to see if there is a 0 mark on the dose window to make sure you have taken your full dose.
Now carefully put back the outer cap. Remove the capped needle by twisting it. Put the cap on the pan.
- Carefully put the cap back on.
- Remove the capped needle by twisting it. Put the cap on the pen.
Where to Inject
- Now it is most important on which part of the body you should inject.
- The best places to take insulin are the abdomen, thighs, and arms.
- Never inject into a muscle or vein.
- Clean the skin thoroughly before giving the injection.
Use a new needle each time you inject.
Insulin Syringe
What type of syringe should you use?
There are 2 types of syringes available for taking insulin:
Insulin syringe :
40 I.U. syringe
- with red needle cap
- with red gradation markings
100 I.U. syringe
- with orange needle cap
- With black gradation markings