How to Use Insulin Properly

In this health video learn about the latest insulin treatments available and coping techniques designed to help maintain a good quality of life.

Male Speaker: More than 20 million Americans have either Type I or Type II diabetes. Patients with Type I diabetes don't make any insulin at all, so they need to take insulin on a daily basis. Patients with Type II diabetes probably make some insulin, but their body doesn't use it properly. Your pharmacist or other healthcare provider can teach you how to administer insulin correctly. Dr. Michele Weizer: So, first we take our insulin vile and open up a fresh alcohol swab. We're going to swab the top of the vile, then careful not to touch it with our fingers, not use a towel or anything to dry it letting it air dry. Then we're going to take our insulin syringe and we're going to take the cap off. Next we're going to inject the syringe straight into the vile. So you invert the vile of insulin and you draw back the plunger, and as you draw back the plunger you're going to go a little bit further than the number of units you actually need and you're going to just flick on the syringe lightly to get rid of the bubbles. Once you notice there are no bubbles you're going to go to the number that you need. So in this case, we're going to drop 20 units we're going to go to the 2. So I'd have the end of my plunger measured right with the 2. So you're going to take a new alcohol swab and you're going to open it up and you're going to alcohol the site that you're going to inject the insulin. Then you're going to pinch that area after letting it air dry, you're going to turn your needle to get a little bit of an angle and go straight in. Then you're going to push the plunger and then pull the whole needle out. Male speaker: Your insulin needs can change when you are sick with a cold, virus or infection. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about managing your diabetes when you are ill.