Insulin helps to regulate the blood sugar levels of diabetes patients because Diabetes affects the ability of the person to produce insulin naturally and slowly. Hence, the body needs some support to start producing it.
In the USA alone, 30 million people are diagnosed with Diabetes, and most administer insulin themselves. The method a person may choose to learn to take insulin depends on their lifestyle, insurance, and preference. Insulins are available in various sizes and gauges, so it becomes essential to know the difference between size and gauge.
Know The Different Sizes In The Syringes
A Syringe without needle comes in measures different measures like-
- 30 units or 0.3 milliliters (ml)
- 50 units (0.5 ml)
- One hundred units (1 ml).
These measures of the medical syringe depict its barrel size and the volume of the insulin syringe can hold. The barrels usually feature the markings at every 1 or 2 units to make it easy to measure the door.
The barrels feature markings signs at 1- or 2-unit intervals to help people measure their dose.
Needle Size:
- The needle on the syringe also comes in different sizes, lengths, and gauges. The primary function of the needle length is to know how deeply it can penetrate as the needle goes into the fat, not the muscles.
- The needle must not be too long as it can cause pain to the patient.
- The needle comes in 2 typical sizes ranging from 4 millimeters (mm) to 12.7 mm.
- Last but not least, the needle gauge refers to the thickness. Thicker needles are often comfortable, while the wider needs can transfer the insulin quicker.
- Higher gauge needs are usually thinner and typically come into 28 to 31 sizes.
Why Is It Important To Measure Length And Gauge?
It is essential to choose the size you are comfortable with, as various factors can affect a person's decision about the size of the needle and syringe. Most people choose to use shorter needles of 4 to 8MM size. More straight and thinner needles are typically easier to monitor. Less painful to insert.
You can choose suitable needles on the basis of your skin being thicker and the area of the skin that you will use for the shot. So, it becomes essential if you use the correct techniques to administer insulin. All of these measurements will help you to manage your blood sugar while avoiding any potential problems. Manage their blood sugar and avoid possible complications.
How To Choose The Right Size Of Syringe For You?
The most accurate thing to do when choosing the needles is to select the needle you are comfortable with. We can understand these two scenarios.
Scenario 1-
If a person uses a long needle for injection, they may accidentally go through a painful intramuscular injection as this will penetrate through the muscle instead of the subcutaneous fat. The needle will absorb the insulin much faster than it should, causing unwanted complications. Just like that, if a person uses a thicker needle than necessary, it will result in more painful insertion.
Scenario 2-
However, if a person has a thinner and medium size needle, not only will they efficiently perform the injunction, but they can also perform it in a less painful manner.
So, as you have noticed by now, scenario 2 goes a little bit easier and smoother. Therefore, why would you desire to use the thickeners and long needles?
Who Should Guide You With Insulin?
A person's diabetes care team should guide them on which types as well as how much insulin to use. The care should also advise on the accurate volume of insulin a person needs for their doses.
Further, they can assist the patient with barrel size, which will typically rely on the size of the dose a person needs, and they may require multiple sizes for various amounts. Also, if you have any issues with choosing the right size, you can ask your care team to help you with this. For example, they can help you to administer a 10-unit dose or 30 unit or 55 unit dose, or 100 unit syringe is good.
How To Give Yourself A Perfect Insulin Shot?
Here are the steps that you can choose to give yourself a perfect insulin shot.
Pick A Sight:
Choose the area you want to inject the insulin in. Ideally, you should choose something different from the previous injection site in order to avoid using the same skin area resulting in overuse. After deciding, clean the skin with alcohol to eliminate any possibility of bacterial infection.
Pinch On The Spot:
After cleaning the skin, a person will need to pinch the skin so that the skin tissues become tightened in the usual
Penetrate With Needle:
With one easy and quick motion, you can penetrate into the skin using a needle. After you insert the needle, ensure that you let the skin relax and stay calm for some type.
Inject the insulin:
Now, you can see that the needle is in place, and you can slowly push down on the plunger to get the dose of insulin. After administering the amount, a person should leave the needle in the skin for five seconds.
