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As a chronic disease, diabetes is not easy to manage. For many diabetic patients, insulin injections are something that must be faced on a daily basis.
So how do you get your insulin injections right? It's not just a matter of "injections".
The importance of insulin injections
Insulin injections play an important role in diabetes management, as they are directly related to the level of blood glucose control and quality of life of patients.
Many people may think that insulin injection is just a simple operation, but in fact, improper operation can lead to poor blood sugar control and even cause some complications, such as subcutaneous fat hyperplasia, local pain, etc.
Several studies around the world have shown that lack of education and proper handling of injection techniques is an important factor affecting blood sugar control. Therefore, knowing how to inject insulin correctly is crucial for every diabetic patient.
Because of this, mastering this "technical job" is not only to avoid trouble, but also to better control the condition and improve the quality of life.
Major insulin injection devices and their advantages and disadvantages
At present, there are three main types of insulin injection devices commonly used: insulin injection pens, insulin needleless syringes, and insulin pumps. Each unit has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice needs to be decided according to individual needs and actual circumstances.
Insulin pens are the most common type, they are relatively inexpensive, simple to operate, and suitable for most patients.
The needle of the injection pen is relatively thin, and the pain during injection is low, which is acceptable to many people. However, frequent needle changes are required, which can be a bit of a hassle for some older patients.
The insulin needleless syringe is an emerging injection device that may sound advanced, but it actually injects the drug under the skin under high pressure without the stinging sensation of a traditional needle.
However, it is important to note that this high-pressure injection is not very damaging to the skin, and it may still be painful after use. Moreover, the price of consumables is high and needs to be replaced regularly, and the cost of long-term use is not low.
The insulin pump is arguably the most "tall" injection device, which can continuously inject insulin and has the best effect on blood sugar control.
The needles used in insulin pumps are generally thicker than those of injection pens, which reduces the hassle of frequent injections, but they are more complicated to care for and the equipment is very expensive, which is not a small burden for ordinary families.
Injection site selection and technique
Choosing the right injection site is critical to the effectiveness of insulin absorption and the reduction of complications, and typically, the abdomen, outer thighs, outer upper arms, and upper lateral buttocks are the most commonly used injection sites.
These areas have a thicker layer of subcutaneous fat and absorb insulin better.
At the time of injection, it is necessary to pay attention to the thickness of the subcutaneous fat. If the distance from the skin surface to the muscle is less than or equal to the length of the needle, the injection needs to be pinched up or the injection angle adjusted to avoid injecting insulin into the muscle layer, which can affect the absorption and effectiveness of the drug.
This is especially important for thinner patients.
Before the injection, it is also necessary to ensure that the skin is clean. Wipe the injection site with an alcohol cotton ball to reduce the risk of infection.
After the injection, you can gently massage the injection site to help the drug absorb faster, but avoid excessive rubbing to avoid bleeding or bruising under the skin.
Rotating the injection site is the key to reducing complications, and long-term injections at the same site can easily lead to subcutaneous fat hyperplasia or atrophy.
The injection site should be changed regularly and rotated at different points within the same site to ensure that each site has sufficient recovery time.
Common complications and precautions
While insulin injections are at the heart of diabetes management, they are not without risk.
Complications such as fat hyperplasia, atrophy, localized pain, bleeding, and skin pigmentation are all common problems. In order to effectively prevent these complications, patients need to take a series of measures.
Lipohyperplasia and atrophy are changes in the subcutaneous tissue due to long-term injections at the same site, and to avoid this, rotating the injection site is key.
Not only do you rotate between different sites, but you also need to inject at different points in the same site, ensuring that each site has enough recovery time.
Pain and bleeding are often associated with improper injection techniques, and choosing the appropriate needle length, pinching the skin correctly, and adjusting the injection angle can reduce the occurrence of these problems. At the same time, avoid reusing needles to avoid increasing the risk of pain and infection.
Skin pigmentation is caused by a chronic inflammatory response caused by local injections, and keeping the injection site clean and wiping the skin with antiseptic alcohol can help reduce the occurrence of this phenomenon.
Conclusions and future discussions
Insulin injection is a task that requires care and skill, and choosing the right injection device and injection site, as well as mastering the correct injection technique, can effectively control blood sugar levels, reduce the occurrence of complications, and improve the quality of life.
Regular medical check-ups and adjusting the injection method according to the doctor's advice are health management measures that every diabetic patient needs to adhere to.
In future discussions, we'll dive into tips for using and managing insulin pumps to help more patients understand this highly effective injecting device and how to better manage their diabetes in their daily lives.
We hope that through scientific knowledge and practical advice, we can help every diabetic patient live a healthy life.
What experiences and insights would you like to share? Feel free to leave a message in the comment area!