
Caring for someone with type 2 diabetes
Take care of your own health and well-being when supporting a family member or friend with type 2 diabetes.
For people living with type 2 diabetes, moving to insulin treatment can seem like a big step. You may feel frustrated that you previous treatment for type 2 diabetes didn't work you may worry that injection will be painful, or at least inconvenient.
The good news is that getting started on insulin can bring health and lifestyle benefits. It is also almost certainly going to be easier than you think. There is a lot to learn, but there are many resources to help you get started.
Insulin is an injectable medicine made up of insulin hormone suspended in a solution. Unfortunately, insulin cannot be taken as a tablet - it would be destroyed by your digestive system before it could start working.
Most people with type 2 diabetes use an injectable pen to take insulin. Injection pens are designed to be discreet, easy to use and virtually painless. There is a broad range available to suit different needs, including pre-filled and refillable pens. Some even have a hidden needle.
Your healthcare professional will be able to recommend the pen and injection schedule that best suits your lifestyle and will show you how to administer injections yourself.
Insulin treatment doesn't have to slow you down. Once you've mastered
your injection technique, you'll find it only takes a minute or two
and can be done almost anywhere. Insulin pens are light, easy to carry
and ultra-discreet.
You don't need to keep the insulin
you are using in the fridge all the time, but try to store it between
2°C and 8°C. Your disposable pen or insulin cartridge will last four
weeks at room temperature (not above 30°C) or fridge (2°C to 8°C).
Just don’t leave it in a car or anywhere it could get too hot or cold.
Disclaimer: Always refer to your patient leaflet for storage details on your medication. Some insulins differ in their guidance.
Taking insulin can help you manage your blood glucose levels, but the benefits don't stop there. Better blood glucose control can, in turn, have a positive effect on how you feel, your mood, your ability to concentrate and your energy levels.
High blood glucose, also known as hyperglycaemia – or a 'hyper' – can
make you to feel unwell. Knowing the warning signs (thirst, hunger,
excessive urination) and how to deal with them is the best way to
overcome anxiety.
Another benefit of being on insulin
treatment is that it helps you get more control over blood glucose
highs and lows. If you keep experiencing hypos or hypers, your
healthcare professional will be able to help you adjust your dose.
People often put on weight when they start insulin treatment,
although the amount gained differs from person to person. Some people
do not put on any weight at all. Why does this happen?
When your diabetes is not well controlled, excess blood glucose is
flushed out in your urine. Starting on insulin treatment improves your
body's ability to absorb glucose from the food you eat, and what you
don't use for energy gets stored as fat. This means you may put on
weight, even if you eat the same amount as before. You may also gain
weight if you snack more to avoid hypoglycaemia.
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