Question:

What are some tips to manage my insulin?

Effectively Managing Your Insulin

Insulin is a medication used in diabetes treatment. Like many other medications, there are considerations to remember in the storage and management of insulin in order to keep it usable, and decrease the risk for side effects and other potential problems.

Here are some keys to managing your insulin to get the best results:

1. Take it at the same time each day - Your

body learns to regulate itself around

your insulin-administration times, and

will do so more effectively, if it knows

when the next does will be

2. Replace your insulin vial every 30 days,

if you store it at room temperature -

Insulin expires 30 days after opening,

if left at room temperature.

3. Keep back-up insulin supplies in the

fridge - Your insulin will keep until

the labelled expiration date, if the

vial is sealed and stored in the

fridge. Once opened, the vial is

generally good for 90 days - usually

more than enough time to use it up - as

long as you keep it in the fridge

between uses.

4. Mix your insulin - If you are using NPH

or mixed insulin, such as 70/30 or

75/25, roll the vial in your palms

to warm and mix it before your draw it

up for administration. This will ensure

uniform consistency and proper

concentration of your mix. Do not shake

the insulin, as you will add bubbles to

the mixture and may cause some breakdown

of the insulin.

5. Toss insulin that has changed color

or developed sediment - sediment or

color change can indicate a contaminant

or that the insulin has gone beyond its

expiration date. Using discolored or

sedimented insulin can be harmful.

6. Draw clear to cloudy - If you use both

regular and NPH insulin, always draw the

clear insulin first (the regular). If

you draw the cloudy insulin first, you

may inadvertantly get some into the

clear vial, which will then become

cloudy, ruining your regular insulin.

7. Don't mix Lantus - Lantus insulin does

not mix with anything. If you are

receiving regular or NPH insulin, and

Lantus, they must be given in separate

injections, or sedimentation will occur.

Do not ever use insulin with sediment.

8. Keep a log - Track your blood sugars and

insulin usage so that you can trend the

results. This information will help you

and your doctor determine the correct

dosage and dosing schedule to provide

optimal control of your blood sugars.

9. Follow doctor's order - Do not self-

adjust your insulin dosage unless you

have experience and the go-ahead from

your physician. Results can be

disastrous, including hypoglycemia,

ketoacidosis and coma.

Managing your insulin effectively will help you better manage your diabetes, and reduce the risk for side effects and complications.

Diabetes Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Count Carbohydrates?

How do I follow a basic healthy diet?

Is there a difference between carbohydrates?

How often should I monitor my blood sugar?

How Do I Count Carbohydrates on my Diabetic Meal Plan?

What are the causes of high blood sugars (hyperglycemia)?

What should I know about the glycemic index?

Can I drink alcohol on my meal plan?

How can I eat out without going off my meal plan?

How does alcohol effect my diabetes?

How does having neuropathy affect my exercise?

What are some tips for the person with neuropathy who exercises?

How do I get a good blood sample for checking glucoses?

What are the benefits I can expect from regular exercise?

What role does water play in my diabetic care plan?

How do I lose weight with exercise?

How does exercise affect my blood sugars?

How can I prevent hyperglycemia?

How does exercise promote weight loss in my disease?

What is Hyperglycemia?

What is hypoglycemia?

What can cause an error in blood sugar readings with a meter?

What is hypoglycemia and what causes it?

What can cause errors in my blood sugar readings.?

How can I prevent hypoglycemia?

How do I check ketones?

What is the significance of ketones in my disease?

How does smoking effect my diabetes?

What causes type 1 diabetes?

How is hypoglycemia treated?

What causes type 2 diabetes?

Am I at risk for developing diabetes?

How do I balance my diet?

What is the hemoglobin a1c?

How do I use food exchanges in my diabetic diet?

If it's sugar-free, can I eat as much as I want?

How does insulin deficiency cause ketones?

What are ketones and how do they effect me?

What are the symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugars)?

What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)?

What are some guidelines for sick days?

What is a good recipe for chicken and vegetables?

How do I start an exercise program?

What is type 2 diabetes?

Can diabetes cause erectile dysfunction?

How much fat should my diet include?

How can I use the information I obtain from blood glucose monitoring?

What do I do if my blood sugar is high?

How is type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes treated?

What causes my blood sugars to be high?

What is microalbumin in terms of diabetes?

What is microalbumin?

How does illness affect my blood sugar?

What is type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes?

What are the different types of diabetes?

What tests are used to monitor my diabetes?

What are the monitoring tests a person with diabetes needs?

What are some causes of hypoglycemia?

What are some sick day foods?

What can I eat on my sick days?

How can I prevent hypoglycemia when exercising?

How is type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes treated?

Are over-the-counter medications safe with my diabetes?

What are the warning signs that I may be overdoing it with my exercise?

What are some warning signs I should know about when exercising?

How do I choose an exercise thatīs right for me?

What kind of exercise is right for me?

How does exercise help my heart and my diabetes?

What are the carciovascular benefits I can expect from exercise?

What is lipodystrophy?

What is the relationship between diabetes and anemia?

How can diabetes contribute to falls?

How does my blood sugar effect my mood?

What is ketoacidosis and what causes it?

What is amyotrophy and what does it have to do with diabetes?

What is the Dawn Phenomenon?

What is the Somogyi Effect?

What is the relationship between pre-eclampsia and diabetes?

What is gastroparesis and what does it have to do with diabetes?

Explain Juvenile Diabetes.

How is Diabetes Insipidus different from other types of diabetes?

What is gestational diabetes?

What is pre-diabetes?

What is Type II Diabetes?

What is Type I diabetes?

How do I decide what type of glucometer to use?

Will my glucometer support alternate site testing?

Why should I do controls on my glucometer?

How do I maintain my glucose meter?

Is there a glucometer than can sample and test my blood in one step?

What can I do if my glucometer doesn't seem to be working right?

What kind of features can I find in a glucometer?

How do I go about getting started exercising?

How do I get started exercising?

Why should I exercise?

What is aerobic exercise?

I need more information about flexibility exercises.

What can you tell me about strength training?

How will my body respond to exercise if I am diabetic?

How do I avoid injuries when I am exercising?

What can I do to exercise, if I hate to exercise?

How does exercise impact my metabolism?

What can I do about my dry skin?

Why does my choice of socks make a difference?

How should I take care of my toenails?

Who makes the different glucometers?

is there a difference in lancets and lancing devices?

What should I see a Podiatrist

What kind of shoes should I buy, now that I have diabetes?

Why am I so sad, now that I have diabetes?

What does insulin do?

What are the different types of insulin?

I have heard about nasal spray insulin - is this available, yet?

What is the insulin pump and how does it work?

If there a way to test my blood sugar withou poking my finger?

I have trouble drawing up my insulin - is there another way?

Why should I have a Diabetes Educator?

Why do some people take insulin and oral medications for their diabetes?

What should I know about oral anti-diabetes medication?

Why is choosing the right syringe so important?

What does an Endocrinologist do?

What are some tips to manage my insulin?

What is the best way to manage my test strips?

How do I code my strips to my glucometer?

How do the diabetic testing strips work?

What is the main difference between the test strips?

Can I actually choose my testing strips?

Can you give me some tips for handling those tiny little test strips?

How do I avoid making mistakes with my test strips?

Will Medicare cover my diabetic supplies?

Will Medicare care pay for self-management training?

Will Medicare pay for screening for diabetes?

What is Medicare Health Support?

What is Medicare D and how will if effect me?

What should I consider when I choose a Part D Plan?

Will Medicare pay for my diabetic supplies?

How does Medicare D impact my Medigap coverage?

What is the Standard Medicare D Plan?

What will Medicare Part A cover?

If I have VA insurance, do I need to register for Medicare Part D?

Do I get Medicare Part D if I am already on DSHS?

What is the "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam?

When am I eligible for Medicare?

What should I look for when picking a Medicare Part D plan.

How do I compare the formularies in the Medicare Part D Plans?

Who is providing these Medicare Part D plans?

What should I look out for when choosing a Medicare Part D plan?

What are Medicare Advantage Plans?

Where can I get information about Medicare Part D?

Do carb values differ in different kinds of fruits and vegetables?

Can I balance my vegetarian and diabetic diets?

Can I eat sugar on my diabetic meal plan?

I need some help balancing the carbs in my diet. What do you suggest?

What information should I get from nutrition labels?

What are sugar-alcohols and how do they impact my diabetes?

Can Low-Calorie sweeteners be included in my diabetic diet plan?

How do I use low-calorie sweeteners in my cooking?

How can I make low-sugar jam and jellies?

Why would I want to see a Registered Dietitian if I have diabetes?

What are the benefits of keeping a food diary?

What role does protein have in the diabetic diet?

What makes for a good bedtime snack?

What are the best snack foods for me to eat?

What are the benefits of eating 6 times a day?

I need help figuring out food portions. What do you suggest?

What are the risks and benefits of using low-calorie sweeteners instead of sugar?

How does water effect my diabetes?

What is a Nutritionist and what do they do?

There are alot of new diets out there. Are they safe for me?

I s sugarfree gum okay for a brittle diabetic with no pancrease/

What do you think about Dr. Mary Vernons'treatment for type 2 diabetics where the patient cuts out almost all carbs out of their diet. Is this a permenent solution? What are the risks involed? Thank you for your time and advice.

Why is it so important for a diabetic to have a nighttime snack?





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