Insulin injections for diabetes therapy: types and how they are stored

Controlling blood sugar levels to remain normal is the key to a healthy life for diabetics (people with diabetes mellitus). In addition, some diabetics also need to comply with doctor's recommendations for diabetes treatment with insulin therapy by injection. However, do you know what the function of insulin injections is and how to do it? Check out the details in this article.

What are insulin injections?

Giving insulin injections as a diabetes treatment is also known as insulin therapy. According to the American Diabetes Association, insulin shots are needed especially if you have type 1 diabetes because it is associated with causes of this type of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by damage to the natural insulin-producing pancreas due to autoimmune conditions. As a result, the body becomes less or unable to produce insulin at all. That is why they need insulin injections to replace it.

Insulin itself is a natural hormone produced in the pancreas to help the body's cells process glucose (blood sugar) from food into energy. Artificial insulin is not designed in pill form because it breaks down when digested by the intestines.

The method of injecting insulin is done in the skin so that it flows more quickly in the bloodstream so that it works faster.

Although people with type 2 diabetes can generally manage diabetes without using insulin injections, this therapy may be needed if lifestyle changes and consumption of diabetes drugs are not able to control blood sugar levels.

Types of injectable insulin based on how it works

Therapy with insulin injections in type 1 diabetes patients should be done as soon as possible after getting a diagnosis of diabetes.

A set of insulin injections usually consists of a short, thin syringe, as well as a container / tube that contains liquid insulin.

Insulin therapy uses a thinner needle to minimize pain while avoiding irritation or side effects of injection injuries.

There are several types of insulin injections that are grouped based on how fast the insulin works in controlling blood sugar levels.

Here are some types of insulin injections based on how they work:

1. Rapid-acting insulin

Rapid-acting insulin works very quickly in lowering the body's blood sugar levels. Usually, this insulin injection is used 15 minutes before meals.

Some examples rapid-acting insulin, among others:

Lispro insulin (Humalog): insulin injection which only takes about 15-30 minutes to reach the blood vessels and is able to lower blood sugar levels in 30-60 minutes. Can maintain normal blood sugar for 3-5 hours.
Insulin Aspart (Novolog): an injection of insulin that only takes 10-20 to enter the blood vessels and can lower blood sugar levels in 40-50 minutes. This type of insulin injection can maintain normal blood sugar levels for 3-5 hours.
Insulin glulisine (Apidra): insulin medication that takes 20-30 minutes to reach the blood vessels and is able to lower blood in just 30-90 minutes. This insulin is able to maintain blood sugar levels between 1-2.5 hours.

2.

Regular insulin is also able to lower blood sugar levels quickly, although not as fast as insulin rapid-acting. Usually, this insulin injection is given 30-60 minutes before meals.

Novolin is a brand of regular insulin. This drug is able to reach the blood vessels in 30-60 minutes, works quickly and takes 2-5 hours. Novolin is able to maintain blood sugar levels for 5-8 hours.

3.

Intermediate acting insulin is a type of insulin injection that has an intermediate time of action. This type of insulin takes 1-3 hours to start working. The optimal action of insulin for diabetes is 8 hours, but it can maintain blood sugar conditions for 12-16 hours.

4. Long-acting insulin

Long-acting insulin is also called long-acting insulin. This type of insulin can work all day long. That is why, this insulin injection is used more at night and is only used once a day.

Usually, long-acting insulin will be combined with insulin types rapid-acting or short-acting.

Some examples long-acting insulin, among others:

Insulin glargine (Lantus, Toujeo), is able to reach the blood vessels in 1-1.5 hours and maintain blood sugar levels for approximately 20 hours.
Insulin detemir (Levemir), reaches the blood vessels in about 1-2 hours and works for 24 hours.
Insulin degludec (Tresiba), enters the blood vessels within 30-90 minutes and works for 42 hours.

The dose of insulin injection given is also different for each person. You may also be prescribed several combination insulin injections. Therefore, consult your doctor regarding the schedule and dose of insulin therapy that is right for your diabetes condition.

In principle, giving insulin injections for people with diabetes is to start from a light dose and increase it gradually.

Insulin pen for more practical insulin therapy

Nowadays insulin treatment for diabetes is more practical in the presence of insulin pens or insulin pen. Insulin pen is a pen-shaped device used to inject insulin.

There are also insulin pens that are equipped with numbers to measure the insulin dose that you have to inject.

In the past, people may still have to use conventional syringes to inject insulin. Well, the presence of this pen makes insulin injection easier.

Injection using an insulin pen is also more comfortable to do because it doesn't hurt. The needle is not very visible. As a result, insulin pen be more friendly for those of you who have a phobia of needles.

Insulin pens are available in two types, viz insulin pen disposable and which can be used repeatedly (reusable) and last for several years. Use insulin pen also more economical because you do not need to buy syringes repeatedly like using insulin injections.

Even so, the needle was on insulin pen must be removed when the insulin pen is not in use to keep it sterile. Do not store it while the needle is in the pen.

Unfortunately, the price insulin pen still more expensive than insulin injections. In addition, not all types of insulin currently available can be used with insulin pen.

How to store insulin properly

The insulin used is usually stored in a bottle or cartridge. This insulin bottle must be kept at a certain storage temperature.

Insulin stored at room temperature usually lasts only 1 month. The best place to store unused insulin is in the refrigerator. In this way, insulin can still last until its expiration date ends.

The purpose of storing injectable insulin in the refrigerator is to help prevent insulin damage from hot temperatures.

Some of the things you need to pay attention to to store insulin, include:

Avoid storing insulin in a closed room that is too hot or too cold.
Do not store injectable insulin inside freezer or too close to the freezer compartment where insulin can freeze. The frozen insulin is no longer effective even after thawing it.
Always check the expiration date before using insulin.
Pay attention to the color of the insulin in the bottle. Make sure the color of the insulin does not change from the first time you buy it.
Do not use insulin if there is a change in color and consistency, or if there are other particles in it.

Several types of insulin have different storage requirements. That is why, make sure you always read the usage and storage instructions listed on the packaging.

If insulin is taken with you while traveling, make sure it is not stored in a compartment that is too hot or too cold. Do not leave insulin in parked cars during the day.