Traditional injection | Modern methods of insulin administration | Modern ways of administering insulin in diabetes
Insulin has been used in the treatment of diabetes for almost 90 years. During this time, many new methods of administering insulin to patients have appeared. Currently, patients can choose between traditional syringes with needles, an insulin syringe, and an insulin pump. Consult a physician about choosing a method of taking insulin.
Traditional insulin injection
Despite the fact that in recent years more modern methods of taking insulin have appeared, injections are the most popular among patients with diabetes. The administration of insulin with a syringe and needle is not difficult for the patient. It is enough to load the desired dose of insulin into the capsule and inject it into the subcutaneous tissue.
An interesting solution for people with diabetes who have vision problems, guiding needles are devices that help keep the syringe in the right place and at right angles during insulin injections.
Some of these devices come with a magnifying glass, so people with poor vision can read small inscriptions on the needle.
Accessories that facilitate the administration of insulin are of great importance in the treatment of diabetes, because this disease is the main cause of vision loss in people between 20 and 74 years.
Modern methods of insulin administration
Insulin injections for patients with diabetes is not very unpleasant, so scientists have long been working on devices that could facilitate its administration.
A good example of an innovative solution are devices designed to fill a syringe with insulin. They are able to measure the required dose of insulin, and, if necessary, mix two different types of insulin.
Modern ways of administering insulin in diabetes
Insulin injections are an inevitable reality for most diabetics.
The real breakthrough in taking insulin has become the so-called insulin pens. These devices, reminiscent of large ball-point pens, are equipped with a needle mechanism and an insulin dose metering system.
In order to enter it under the skin, it is enough to set the desired dose and press the button. Before each use, the needle must be replaced with a new one. When the “cartridge” with insulin runs out, it is also replaced with a new one.
Before each use, the needle must be replaced with a new one!
Such a tool is an excellent choice for people who have vision problems. Devices of this type make a sound when determining the dose, so that a patient with amblyopia can independently measure the dose of insulin and inject without assistance.
An alternative is needleless insulin injectors. These high-pressure devices press insulin under the skin. Although needleless injectors seem like the perfect solution, some people with diabetes believe their use is more painful than the use of syringes.
Performing insulin injections is cumbersome, therefore insulin dispensers have been developed. This equipment delivers insulin all day. An insulin pump connects to a small tube or catheter with a needle that is inserted under the skin, most often on the patient’s stomach. The pump is the size of a deck of cards and can be programmed to administer insulin after meals.
Insulin dispensers deliver insulin all day.
Devices of this type constantly inject insulin, but the patient can take the dose after meals to maintain low blood sugar. Unfortunately, insulin pumps are not easy to use. As a rule, it is recommended to use them in the case of type 1 diabetes, but it can also be used by patients with type 2 diabetes.
Work on the ideal way to administer insulin to diabetics is ongoing. Current insulin injection methods are not ideal but help millions of patients every day.