Managing
Diabetes
What
are the symptoms of hypoglycaemia?
Hypoglycaemia is also known as Low Blood Sugar. The symptoms include:
- Cold sweats
(skin is cool to the touch)
- Faintness,
dizziness
- Trembling,
nervousness, shakes
- Weakness,
unusual tiredness
- Sudden hunger
pains
- Headache
What
are the symptoms of hyperglycaemia?
Hyperglycaemia is also known as High Blood Sugar. The symptoms include:
- Increased
thirst
- Increased
urination
- Fatigue,
drowsiness
- Pains in
the stomach
- Nausea and/or
vomiting
What
causes hypoglycaemia?
With hypoglycaemia, the symptoms develop within minutes to hours.
It is caused by:
- Delaying
or missing a meal or snack
- Exercising
more than usual
- Using too
much insulin
- Sickness
such as vomiting or diarrhoea
- Drinking
large amounts of alcohol
What
causes hyperglycaemia?
The symptoms of hyperglycaemia are noticed within hours or over several
days. It is caused by:
- Not enough
insulin
- Missed dose
of insulin
- Overeating
- Illness
fever, infection
- Emotional
stress
How
do you treat the symptoms of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia?
Symptoms of hypoglycaemia may be treated by the intake of some form
of quick-acting sugar such as glucose tablet, sugar dissolved in water,
a tablespoon of honey or sweetened fruit juice. If the individual
is unconscious however, nothing should be given by mouth and you should
seek medical attention as soon as possible.
For symptoms
of hyperglycaemia, take plenty of fluids without sugar and see a
doctor immediately.
Is
it difficult to take insulin?
Taking insulin is not difficult but it is important to understand
the correct technique in order to feel comfortable with the procedure.
- Wash hands
thoroughly.
- Roll the
insulin bottle between your hands to achieve even mixing of the
insulin. Do not shake the bottle as this produces bubbles.
- Wipe the
top of the bottle off with an alcohol swab.
- Pull the
plunger of the syringe backward to the required number of units
thereby drawing air into the syringe.
- Put the needle
through the rubber cap of the bottle and force the air into the
bottle by depressing the plunger of the syringe.
- Turn the
bottle upside down and withdraw the required insulin. It may be
necessary to tap the syringe to remove any air bubbles.
- When the
prescribed number of units (without bubbles) has been withdrawn,
pull away the bottle.
- Choose the
injection site and clean it with an alcohol swab
- Pinch a fold
of skin with one hand. Quickly insert the needle into the fold
of skin at the recommended angle.
- Draw back
the syringe slightly to ensure that a blood vessel has not been
entered. If blood appears, withdraw the needle and repeat at another
spot.
- Inject insulin
under the skin.
- Withdraw
the needle quickly and press site with an alcohol swab.
Is
all insulin the same?
No. One type is intermediate or long-acting insulin, which is cloudy
in appearance. Another type is short-acting and is clear in appearance.
How
do you administer insulin when more than one type is being given
at the same time?
It is important to understand how to mix the insulin properly when
more than one type is being given at the same time. Follow the directions
for administering insulin as outlined above, but replace steps 4-7
with the following:
- Pull the
plunger of the syringe backward to the required number of units
of the intermediate or long-acting (cloudy) insulin and inject
it into the insulin bottle.
- Repeat the
process with the short-acting (clear) insulin.
- Turn the
vial and syringe upside down and withdraw the dose of clear insulin.
Expel air from the syringe and ensure that the correct dosage
has been withdrawn. Withdraw the correct dosage of the cloudy
insulin into the syringe with the clear insulin by inverting the
bottle.
- Remove the
needle from the bottle and expel air from the syringe, checking
to ensure that the correct dosage has been withdrawn. Roll the
syringe to ensure complete mixing of the two types of insulin.
Continue as per the directions.
|
|
