Is insulin given before or after eating?

Insulin is a natural hormone that acts as a key for glucose or sugar to enter cells and be used for energy .

The person who suffers from diabetes mellitus does not have the ability to normally manufacture insulin or does not produce enough of it, the pancreas is attacked by the immune system and destroys all the cells responsible for manufacturing this hormone so essential for the life of the being human.

This is related to the fact that the body cannot use glucose in a normal way by increasing its blood concentration, in this way it begins to use the metabolism of fats to be able to obtain the necessary energy for both cells and tissues.

Therefore, insulin is capable of allowing glucose to enter the cells to transform it into energy, this being the ideal fuel for optimal cellular functioning.

The insulin must be administered just before eating it allows it to be able to start its effect from 10 or 20 minutes after administration, thus preventing that crisis hyperglycemia occur in patients with diabetes mellitus.

It is essential for the doctor to take into account the type of insulin that the patient should apply depending on their blood glucose concentrations recorded on the day, before and after each meal in order to individualize the treatment.

Despite this, it is essential to take into account that there are different types of insulin that exert their action over a certain time.

• The rapid – acting insulin exerts its effect after ingestion of food or drink regulating blood sugar concentration in about 30 to 90 minutes is why it is administered just before eating.
• The insulin regular action acts in about 2 or 3 hours. Most of the time this insulin is used 30 minutes before each meal.
• The intermediate – acting insulin is capable of prolonging the effect therefore can be administered once or twice a day especially at nighttime these have its maximum effect in about 4 to 7 hours.
• The long – acting insulin is used for most of the day being beneficial for 24 hours.

At the time of administering insulin, they can be done through a mixture of different types that only the doctor or specialist will be in charge of indicating.

Only when it is not administered correctly and is done after hours can there be a reaction after the administration of insulin. In addition, if it is administered after the meal, it is most likely that the sugar that has been ingested with the food has already been transported to the blood and the insulin has not been able to allow this glucose to enter the cells, remaining with high concentrations of glucose in the blood and also causing hyperglycemia.

This brings with it a significant metabolic lack of control and may present complications of diabetes mellitus in the long term.

It is well known that the doctor must be able to educate the patient so that the way to administer insulin is correct, otherwise there may be a significant impact on the health of the patient.

The best places to apply this hormone are:

• The abdomen.
• Arms.
• The thighs.
• Buttocks.

It must be exclusively in the subcutaneous cellular tissue so as not to reach the muscle, medically it is crucial to rotate all these areas so as not to generate a permanent injury in the subcutaneous cellular tissue.

There is talk of resting an area where a puncture was made for approximately 4 weeks.

Initially, the insulin load previously prepared should be on hand, then the area where the injection is to be applied must be evaluated and cleaned, a fold is taken between the thumb and index finger immediately, insert the needle with approximately 45 ° without reach the muscle, finally injecting the insulin and withdrawing the needle in approximately 5 to 10 seconds without rubbing the skin after application.

The diabetic patient must be able to administer insulin at the appropriate time just before each meal, however it is also possible that a person does not administer insulin for various reasons such as:

• Having forgotten when to give the injection.
• Do not have the Kit on hand at mealtime.
• Not having the insulin to administer.
• Not being used to the administration routine.

¿ What if a diabetic is not injected insulin ? Well, in that case, symptoms such as:

• But constant.
• Blurry vision.
• Dry skin
• Fatigue.
• Frequent urination

You should immediately contact the specialist doctor who will indicate what to do in such a situation, a failure when administering insulin can increase the probability of injury to both the kidneys and eyes, as well as metabolic decompensation. the most common consequences of failure to administer insulin.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

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