Why inject insulin

Insulin type Onset When it peaks in your system Duration When taken Ultra-rapid acting 2 to 15 min min 4 hours Taken with meals, usually with the first bite of a meal.

Commonly used along with long-acting insulin. Rapid-acting 15 min 1 hour 2 to 4 hours Taken with meals, typically right before a meal. Commonly used along with longer-acting insulin.

Rapid-acting inhaled 10 to 15 min 30 min 3 hours Taken with meals, typically right before a meal. Commonly used with injectable long-acting insulin. Regular or short-acting 30 min 2 to 3 hours 3 to 6 hours Taken with meals, typically 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. Intermediate acting 2 to 4 hours 4 to 12 hours 12 to 18 hours Taken once or twice a day. Covers your insulin needs for half a day or overnight.

Commonly used with rapid- or short-acting insulin. Can be used with rapid- or short-acting insulin if needed. Premixed 5 to 60 min varied peaks 10 to 16 hours Taken twice a day, commonly 10 to 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner. This type is a combination of intermediate- and short-acting insulin. Administration and dosage. How should I store my insulin? Side effects and reactions. Alternative medications for people with type 2 diabetes.

Ways to manage blood glucose levels. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Diabetes: Facts, Statistics, and You. Griffith, MD. The Effects of Insulin on the Body. Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M. Is Type 1 Diabetes Genetic? Medically reviewed by Marina Basina, M.

Insulin Pumps. Medically reviewed by Peggy Pletcher, M. Gestational Diabetes. Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD. Taken with meals, usually with the first bite of a meal. Taken with meals, typically right before a meal. Taken once or twice a day.

Syringes remain a common method of insulin delivery. Syringes vary by the amount of insulin they hold and the size of the needle.

Traditionally, needles used in insulin therapy were Recent research shows that smaller 8 mm, 6 mm, and 4 mm needles are just as effective, regardless of body mass. This means insulin injection is less painful than it was in the past. Insulin is injected subcutaneously, which means into the fat layer under the skin.

In this type of injection, a short needle is used to inject insulin into the fatty layer between the skin and the muscle. Insulin should be injected into the fatty tissue just below your skin. If you inject the insulin deeper into your muscle, your body will absorb it too quickly, it might not last as long, and the injection is usually more painful. This can lead to low blood glucose levels.

People who take insulin daily should rotate their injection sites. This is important because using the same spot over time can cause lipodystrophy. In this condition, fat either breaks down or builds up under the skin, causing lumps or indentations that interfere with insulin absorption. You can rotate to different areas of your abdomen, keeping injection sites about an inch apart.

Or you can inject insulin into other parts of your body, including your thigh, arm, and buttocks. The preferred site for insulin injection is your abdomen. Insulin is absorbed more quickly and predictably there, and this part of your body is also easy to reach. Select a site between the bottom of your ribs and your pubic area, steering clear of the 2-inch area surrounding your navel.

These can interfere with the way your body absorbs insulin. Stay clear of broken blood vessels and varicose veins as well. You can inject into the top and outer areas of your thigh, about 4 inches down from the top of your leg and 4 inches up from your knee. Before injecting insulin, be sure to check its quality. If it was refrigerated, allow your insulin to come to room temperature. If the insulin is cloudy, mix the contents by rolling the vial between your hands for a few seconds.

Be careful not to shake the vial. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Be sure to wash the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your fingernails. Hold the syringe upright with the needle on top and pull the plunger down until the tip of the plunger reaches the measurement equal to the dose you plan to inject.

Remove the caps from the insulin vial and needle. Having a strict insulin schedule is essential for keeping blood sugar levels within a healthy range. People at risk of hypoglycemia should wear a medical bracelet stating their type of diabetes, plus other necessary information, such as whether they control their condition with insulin. These bracelets provide information to first aiders and medical professionals in case a person becomes conscious. There is a wide range of diabetes bracelets available for purchase online.

There is also the possibility that taking insulin will cause more severe side effects, although these are less common. Fat necrosis may develop in people who regularly inject insulin. A review compared insulin therapy with metformin treatment. Metformin is another glucose-lowering treatment for people with type 2 diabetes. These researchers found that the insulin therapy group in the study had an increased risk of several complications, including:. Another review concluded that the risks of insulin therapy might outweigh the benefits for people with type 2 diabetes.

The authors highlighted the following downsides of insulin therapy :. Diabetes impairs insulin production by the pancreas and use of this essential hormone by the body. The condition causes high blood sugar levels. However, not every person with type 2 diabetes will need to take insulin. People with type 1, on the other hand, will have to supplement their insulin supply for the rest of their lives.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are usually lifelong conditions. Type 2 diabetes is the most common, accounting for 90—95 percent of those with diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes require daily insulin therapy to maintain regular blood sugar levels. However, the exact treatment regimen will vary from person to person. An individual can deliver their insulin to their body through a pump.

This is a machine that provides the hormone through a port, removing the need for injections. Some pumps are automatic, while others require more user input.

Some individuals may need to supply two to four doses every day. Extra shots of rapid- or short-acting insulin may be necessary at mealtimes. Here, learn more about insulin pens. A doctor can help customize a safe and effective insulin therapy regimen for a person with type 1 diabetes. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, there are several different types of insulin that people can use separately or in combination. These include :. A doctor will prescribe one of these insulins or a mixture alongside a carefully controlled schedule.

Following this closely will reduce the risk of side effects and complications. Learn about different types of insulin here.

Alternative treatment options include lifestyle and dietary changes and non-insulin medications, such as metformin.