Painless Needle For Diabetics Launched
BANGALORE: The pain of pricking oneself twice a day is a reality for the growing tribe of diabetics in India. A painless needle launched in Bangalore on Thursday aims at reducing this anguish. The insulin syringe, with which one can give oneself injections, has the thinnest needle in the world and is also short compared to ordinary syringe needles. The company, Becton Dickinson India, a global leader in medical devices, had a few months ago launched auto disable (AD) syringes which prevent reuse or misuse. The insulin syringe does not displace much muscle tissue, thus causing no pain. ``The look of the needle also helps the patient psychologically and physiologically,'' says Ram Sharma, managing director, Becton Dickinson, which has also developed a web community for diabetics with a view to making the patient feel and live better. The website — www.bd.com/diabetes — has information on handling one's insulin syringe, managing diet or monitoring glucose every day for better diabetes care. AD syringes come in the form of a pre-filled injection device and one which can be used with a separate vial. Why AD syringes? A WHO research revealed that 66 per cent of injections provided in India are unsafe. On an average, 40 injections per syringe and eight injections per needle are administered to the patients. More than 50 per cent of vaccine goes waste after immunisation. Syringe re-use is responsible for transmission of infectious diseases. AD syringes are easier to use, quicker and preferred by health workers. They are highly effective in eliminating re-use of unsterile syringes between patients. The biggest onus of promoting safe immunisation process rests with the government and the medical community. The Government of India recently constituted a health task force to st Continue reading >>
10 Tips For A Fear Of Needles With Diabetes (+1 Bonus!)
back to Overview Tips & Tricks Type 1 It is what it is, right? When living with type 1 diabetes there's no getting around the jab of a needle. Whether it's from an insulin pen, a syringe or a pump infusion set, you have to do it. Ilka asked our team for tips on dealing with a fear of shots and needles, and here's what she found... For some, needles are no big deal. For others, each injection is a challenge to overcome – even after many years. The reasons are usually different, and no matter how necessary it is (we all know it, logically) who can criticize? Is there anything normal about stabbing yourself with a sharp metal object? I think not! We have a lot of diabetes experience here at mySugr, collectively more than 150 years under our belts. And who better to ask for tips and tricks for overcoming a fear of needles/needle phobia than a bunch of people living well with diabetes? 1. Injectors Clara: I didn’t do my own injections right away. The day where everything changed was when I watched another girl my age in the hospital do her own injection. I thought, “if she can do it, so can I!” But some time later I developed an “injection-crisis” again and used an injection device, which hides the needle completely, to help me get through it. 2. Build Confidence Marlis: I’ve been helping children with diabetes for a long time, and fear of needles is very common. It can really help if mom or dad offers to let the child inject them, or even put in a pump infusion set. When those little ones see that you trust them to poke you and that it doesn’t hurt when they put the needle in it builds a lot of confidence and trust. Another step is to watch mom or dad do an injection and see that it’s fine. I have often let the kids inject me and they were so incredibly pr Continue reading >>
Diabetes In Children: Giving Insulin Shots To A Child
If your child doesn't want to feel the insulin needle, your child's doctor can prescribe an indwelling subcutaneous cannula. A small needle is used to insert a soft tube into a place where you give your child an insulin shot, such as the belly. The needle is taken out, but the soft tube (cannula) stays in your child's body and is held in place with tape. Then, when your child needs insulin, the insulin needle is put into the cannula instead of into the skin. This way, your child won't have to feel the insulin needle. The cannula can be used for at least 3 days before your child will need a new one. The three most important elements of success in giving insulin injections include: Making sure you have the right dose of insulin, especially if you are giving two types of insulin in the same syringe. Practicing how to give an injection. Storing insulin properly so that each dose will work effectively. Your doctor or certified diabetes educator (CDE) will help you and your child learn to prepare and give insulin injections. If your child is age 10 or older, he or she may be able to give insulin with supervision. Here are some simple steps to help you and your child learn this task. Get ready To get ready to give an insulin injection using an insulin vial and insulin syringe or an insulin pen, follow these steps. Wash your hands with soap and running water. Dry them thoroughly. If your child is going to help, wash his or her hands well. Gather the supplies. Keep the supplies in a bag or kit so your child can carry the supplies wherever he or she goes. You will need an insulin syringe and the vial(s) of insulin, and an alcohol wipe or a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. If you are using an insulin pen, you will need a needle that works with your pen. If the pen is reusable, you m Continue reading >>
Insulin Pens: How To Give A Shot
Many people with diabetes need to take insulin to keep their blood glucose in a good range. This can be scary for some people, especially for the first time. The truth is that insulin shots are not painful as people imagine because the needles are short and thin. Insulin shots are given into fatty tissue below the skin. This is called a subcutaneous (sub-kyu-TAY-nee-us) injection. The following instructions are for using most disposable insulin pens. If you are using a refillable pen, check with your doctor, diabetes educator or pharmacist on how to use. If you prefer to use a vial and syringe, refer to UPMC patient education page Insulin: How to Give a Shot. ADVANTAGES of insulin pens: Easy to use and carry Looks like a pen for writing (discreet/not easily noticed) No need to draw the insulin dose from a vial/bottle Can be used for most insulin types Doses can be easily dialed Less waste of expired insulin if not much insulin is used within time period designated (300 units in each pen)…see table end of this document To some people it may be less scary than a syringe DISADVANTAGES: Cannot mix different kinds of insulin together in a prescribed dose. Before you give the shot, you will need the following: Insulin pen Alcohol swab, or cotton ball moistened with alcohol Pen needle (be sure your doctor writes your prescription for the pen needles as well as the specific type of insulin pen) Hard plastic or metal container with a screw-on or tightly-secured lid Parts of an Insulin Pen Wash your hands. Check the drug label to be sure it is what your doctor prescribed. Check the expiration date on the pen. Do not use a drug that is past the expiration date. Also do not use if beyond number of days listed in table at end of this document once opened and in use. Remove pen cap Continue reading >>
Insulin Injection
The easiest way to inject insulin Apart from accurate blood glucose measurement, it is also essential to use the optimal insulin dosage. Reliable dosing and resorption, prevention of intramuscular injection, and low-pain application are all highly important. You are looking for insulin injection that is efficient, safe, and as painless as possible. This is why we have developed shorter injection devices. Short needles – suitable for everyone The thickness of skin (dermis and epidermis) is rather constant. Regardless of age, ethnic background and gender, the epidermis and dermis make up between 1.9 and 2.4 mm. This applies to all patients – no matter how much they weigh. [2,3] However, the usual injection depth is rarely more than 3 mm. [1,4] That makes short needles, for example our 4 mm pen needle, suitable for everyone.[2] Appropriate needle length, adequate injection technique and the right area to inject insulin are crucial in avoiding intramuscular injection. References Bliznak, J. & Staple TW. (1975). Roentgenographic measurement of skin thickness in normal individuals. Radiology (116), 55-60. Frid A., Hirsch L., Gaspar R., Hicks D., Kreugel G., Liersch J., Letondeur C., Sauvanet J. -P., Tubiana-Rufi N., Strauss K., New injection recommendations for patients with diabetes, Diabetes and Metabolism 36 (2010), 3-18. Grassi G., Scuntero P., Trepiccioni R., Marubbi F., Strauss K., Optimizing insulin injection technique and its effect on blood glucose control, Journal of Clinical & Translational Endocrinology 1 (2014), 145-150. Laurent, A., Mistretta, F., Bottigioli, D., et al. (2007). Echographic measurement of skin thickness in adults by high frequency ultrasound to assess the appropriate microneedle length for intradermal delivery of vaccines. Vaccine (25), 6423- Continue reading >>
How To Improve The Insulin Injection Experience
If you have type 1 diabetes, or if you have type 2 and have recently begun injecting insulin, you may have a bit of trouble getting used to the process of preparing and administering your own insulin shots. Andrea Penney, RN, CDE, of the Joslin Diabetes Center, says that injection technique is important to master not only for accurate dosing, but for comfort, too. "With proper practice and good technique, you can avoid pain during an injection," she states. Penney sat down with us recently to answer some common questions about insulin injection. If after reading and practicing insulin injections you still find you’re having trouble, Penney suggests seeing a Certified Diabetes Educator for more assistance. Q: How do I decide where to inject? A: People often select injection sites based on many factors: accessibility, presence of fatty tissue, and rate of insulin absorption (which will be discussed shortly). As a result, popular sites for injection include the stomach, outer thigh, the back of the arm (between the shoulder and the elbow), or the upper outside "wallet" area of the buttock (but not into the lower buttock area). Q: Once I decide on a location for an injection, how do I pick the right "spot"? A: Here are some easy guidelines: -Stomach If you’re going to inject into the stomach, stay at least two inches away from the bellybutton and/or any scars you may already have when using the abdomen for injections. -Thigh For an injection in your thigh, inject at least four inches or about one hand’s width above the knee and at least four inches down from the top of the leg. Do not inject insulin into your inner thigh because of the large number of blood vessels and nerves in this area. - Arm The area between the shoulder and elbow on the outside of the arm is usua Continue reading >>
How To Give A Painless Injection
If you have Type 2 diabetes, sooner or later you may require insulin injections, either temporarily (as during infections) or permanently. This is nothing to be afraid of, even though many people with long-standing Type 2 diabetes literally spend years worrying about it. I usually teach all my patients how to inject themselves at our first or second meeting, before there’s any urgency. Once they give themselves a sample injection of sterile saline (salt water), they find out how easy and painless it can be, and they are spared years of anxiety. If you’re anxious about injections, after you read this section, please ask your physician or diabetes educator to allow you to try a self-administered injection. Insulin is usually injected subcutaneously This means Into a layer of fat under the skin The regions of the body that usually contain appropriate deposits of fat are illustrated in Figure 1 Examine your body to see if you have enough fat at the illustrated sites to comfortably grab a big hunk between your thumb and first finger. Fig 1 Potential sites for subcutaneous injections. To show you how painless a shot can be, your teacher should give himself or herself a shot and leave the syringe dangling in place, illustrating that no pain is felt Your teacher should next give you a shot of saline to prove the point. Now it’s time for you to give yourself an injection, using a syringe that’s been partly filled for you with about 5 “units” of saline. 1. With your “nonshooting” hand, grab as big a chunk of skin plus underlying fat as you can hold comfortably. If you have a nice roll of fat around your waist, use this site. If not, select another site from those illustrated in Figure 1 Nearly everyone has enough subcutaneous buttocks fat to inject there without g Continue reading >>
A Painless Needle
Terumo's trademark is registered at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Background For diabetes patients, daily injections are an uncomfortable and often painful part of life. With multiple injections required every day, anxiety and fear are typical emotions a patient may have when diagnosed with diabetes, especially for children and those with a fear of needles. Traditionally thought of as an unavoidable part of treatment, injection therapy and the pain and discomfort it causes has become one of the major concerns of diabetes patients. However, thanks to Terumo Corporation (Terumo), a Tokyo based medical equipment manufacturer, this traditionally held view is changing. To increase the quality of life of patients, alleviate discomfort and dispel fears surrounding diabetes injection therapy, in 2005 Terumo proposed a challenge to itself: make a needle so fine that it makes injections painless. With over 600,000 people living with diabetes in Japan, Terumo felt a strong social obligation to help provide them with physical and psychological relief. The company called on Mr. Tetsuya Oyauchi, one of its best engineers who has a string of patents to his name for medical syringes, and Mr. Masayuki Okano, the head of Okano Industrial Corporation (Okano), a company involved in metal pressing, to make this vision a reality. Invention The usual method of manufacturing needles is to hollow out a tiny cylinder of metal. But it is extremely difficult to make ultra thin needles this way, because the thinner the cylinder, the more difficult the procedure becomes. Terumo’s quest for an ultra thin needle proved technically difficult, and after one year of research they were not making much progress. Terumo was turned down by a string of large metalwork firms, which th Continue reading >>
Pens And Needles
It has been estimated that world-wide around 7.5 billion disposable needles are used outside a medical setting to treat diabetes and other conditions requiring self-administration of injected drugs. Insulin pens are generally preferred by patients but are tied to the use of specific (and more expensive) brands of insulin, supplied in specially made cartridges. Plastic syringes and needles can be used with any insulin supplied in a standard vial. These are recommended for single use only by the manufacturers, but in practice both are frequently re-used by people with diabetes for reasons of convenience and economy. This article reviews practical aspects of insulin administration and delivery, with special reference to resource-poor settings, and considers problems associated with faulty injection technique, the evidence for and against single use of needles, potential problems with storage, and some of the health and environmental hazards associated with disposal of insulin needles. Background Insulin needles used during the first 50 years of insulin therapy were intended for repeated use; in some cases patients were provided with a pumice stone with which to sharpen them. They were used with glass insulin syringes which were stored in methylated spirit and boiled periodically to ensure sterility. New technologies introduced in the 1980s produced much sharper needles with siliconized tips designed to reduce friction as they are pushed through the skin, and attached to plastic syringes. About 7.5 billion are used each year [1]. First generation needles were detachable, allowing reuse of the syringe, but these were soon followed by single unit devices in which the needle was fused with the syringe. Insulin pen devices came into wide use in the 1990s. These are produced by Continue reading >>
The Importance Of Good Insulin Injection Practices In Diabetes Management
Abstract: Abstract Time constraints are often significant when treating patients with diabetes with insulin. In such settings, focus is often placed on the type of insulin the patient is taking, with an even greater emphasis placed on the amount. However, how much emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of insulin use? Is the patient using proper injection techniques? Are the insulin syringes or pens being cared for correctly? Are needles being quietly re-used without the medical staff’s knowledge? Are sharps being disposed of safely? Diabetes education regarding the proper use of insulin takes much time and effort. Without it, however, the appropriate type of insulin at the correct dose might not necessarily give the intended outcome. Instead, marked glycemic excursions could occur, leaving the goal of good diabetes control unachievable and the medical staff baffled. Keywords Diabetes, insulin, injection technique, insulin pens, insulin syringes, insulin needle re-use, patient education Disclosure: Richard Dolinar, MD, is a member of the speakers’ bureaus of Amylin, Eli Lilly, and Takeda and a consultant for BD Medical and Pfizer. Received: October 22, 2009 Accepted: December 2, 2009 Correspondence: Richard Dolinar, MD, Arizona Endocrinology Center, 5130 W. Thunderbird Road, Suite 1, Phoenix, AZ 85306. E: [email protected] When insulin-requiring patients with diabetes are seen in the clinic,there is usually a great emphasis placed on the type of insulin the patient is taking and an even greater emphasis on the amount. However, how much emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of insulin use? Which technique is the patient using to inject the insulin? Is he or she injecting it correctly? What sites are being used? Are the insulin syringes or pens being ca Continue reading >>
Are Diabetes Insulin Injections Painful?
Injecting yourself with insulin several times a day to manage your diabetes might be easier than you think. Follow these expert steps to help minimise the pain and calm your fears. 1. Know that it won't be as bad as you imagine Most people are nervous about injecting themselves but soon realise they can handle it. In fact thinking about it is worse than doing it and once you get over the 'hurdle' of the first few injections and become more confident, it's usually pretty smooth sailing. It could be that myths about what's involved are fuelling your fears. Some people think they'll have to inject the medication with a large needle into a muscle or a vein or that insulin injections will hurt more than the finger pricks they've been doing to test their blood sugar. This isn't true. The reality is the needles used to inject insulin are small as the insulin only needs to be injected under the skin (subcutaneously) and you inject into areas that have far fewer nerve endings than your fingertips. There may be some discomfort when the needle is first inserted but to ease any anxiety your doctor or a specialist diabetes nurse can show you the correct way to inject. 2. Use the right tool If big needles freak you out, downsize. Insulin syringes and pen needles range in size and thickness (gauge), so ask your doctor or pharmacist for the most suitable shortest, thinnest one available. It's also important to use a fresh needle every time as just one use will dull the needle causing discomfort if it's reused. Wondering whether you should opt for a syringe or a pen? If you're anxious about getting the dose right then a pen may be the best choice. It's easier to dial the dose on a pen than it is to see the markings on a syringe. Some people also think pens are easier to grasp and that t Continue reading >>
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Injecting Insulin: Tips For Success
There’s definitely an art and a science to injecting insulin. If you take insulin, you may have been taught that there’s a “proper technique” for how to give injections, whether you use a syringe or a pen. In an ideal world, a diabetes educator reviews your technique periodically, especially if you’re noticing unusual blood sugar readings or lumpiness around your injection site, or if you experience pain with injections. But if that’s not the case, read on to learn some tips to make insulin injections a little easier and help troubleshoot some common injection issues. Tip #1: Injection sites Insulin should be injected into the layer of fat that lies right under the skin. There are several areas on the body where you can inject your insulin. These include the: • Abdomen (stomach), staying a few inches away from the belly button • Outer thighs • Hips • Upper buttocks • Backs of the arms Today’s newer insulins are generally absorbed the same no matter where you inject them. However, for consistent blood sugar readings, it’s a good idea to stick with the same area of the body for your injections. Make sure, though, that you “rotate” your injections within that particular site on a daily basis. If you continue to inject into the same spot time after time, you can develop skin problems, including lumpiness, scarring, or loss of fat. And avoid injecting into or near moles, scars, or skin that is swollen or inflamed. Tip #2: Painful injections Thanks to super-thin needles, for most people, insulin injections are pretty much painless. If you’re finding that your injections hurt, try the following: • Use a new needle for every injection. It’s tempting to reuse needles, but they can become dull even after just one or two injections. And the dull Continue reading >>
Insulin Injections Are Today Virtually Painless
DEAR DOCTOR K: I have to start taking insulin for my Type 2 diabetes. It sounds complicated. What do I need to know before I start? DEAR READER: The first thing you need to know is that it is simple to learn and do, and the discomfort is minimal. Tens of millions of people all over the world do it every day -- and probably most of them were afraid that it would be complicated and painful before they actually started taking insulin. Insulin is a natural hormone that lowers blood sugar in all of us. In people with diabetes, the body no longer can make enough insulin to keep the blood sugar level normal. Doctors usually recommend insulin for people with Type 2 diabetes when diet, exercise and pills cannot keep blood sugar levels low enough. Insulin lowers blood sugar levels more effectively than any other available diabetes drug. Insulin can't be taken as a pill; it must be taken by injection or with an insulin pump. (Insulin pumps are generally reserved for people with Type 1 diabetes.) A diabetes educator will teach you how to measure, prepare and administer the injections. The equipment available today makes injections virtually painless. The needles are very small; you barely feel them when they pierce your skin. Most people use syringes or insulin "pens." A pen injector uses disposable needles and insulin cartridges. It's portable and discreet, and it provides multiple accurate doses without your needing to measure and fill syringes. There are several formulations of insulin. They vary based on how quickly they start working, how long it takes for the insulin to peak and how long it remains active. Different types of insulin can be used alone or in combination. The type of insulin and how much and how often you use it varies from person to person. You'll work with you Continue reading >>
8 Ways To Take Insulin
How to take insulin Need insulin? While the drug itself may be old—nearly 90 years to be exact—there’s lots of new things happening when it comes to ways to take it. From the old-fashioned needle and syringe to injector pens to pumps, you’ve got choices to make. There’s even a plethora of devices that can help you inject if you have poor vision or mobility issues. Check out these eight options and talk with your certified diabetes educator to determine which insulin delivery system or injection aids are right for you. Needle and syringe With this type of delivery system, you insert a needle into a vial, draw up the appropriate amount of insulin, and then inject into the subcutaneous space—the tissue just under your skin. Here are 5 types of insulin and 9 factors that affect how insulin works. Even though there are other options, needles and syringes remain the most common way to take insulin. Some of the new insulin injection methods, such as the insulin pen, carry only a preset amount of insulin. Thinner needles and other advancements, such as syringe magnifiers, have made syringes easier to use. Syringe magnifier Have poor vision? You’re not alone. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20–74 years. Needle guides can help you keep the syringe or pen steady at the desired location and at the correct angle both for drawing up insulin out of the vial and injecting. Some needle guides also come with magnifiers, which help by enlarging the numbers and allowing you to read the fine print and dosages on the syringe. Syringe-filling device These devices are another example of innovations designed to help make insulin needles more palatable. Syringe-filling devices allow a person Continue reading >>
Choosing A Needle To Inject Insulin: What’s The Difference?
For a person with diabetes who is beginning insulin therapy, the range of products can be overwhelming. The options are often limited by the patient’s healthcare plan, however, and the initial selection of a product is frequently influenced by the healthcare provider. With diabetes education tailored to the individual patient, the delivery of insulin through a particular device is achieved by teaching proper injection technique and selecting an appropriate needle. Because people using insulin to manage their diabetes prefer a painless, easy-to-use, and affordable device, manufacturers have worked to improve the injection experience. Over the past 25 years, needle size has evolved from a 16-mm (length), 27-gauge (thickness) needle in 1985, to a 4-mm, 32-gauge needle in 2010. A shorter, thinner needle reduces pain and anxiety during insulin injection. But does this type of needle work as well as a bigger needle, especially in people with more body fat? One concern when using a thin, short needle is whether or not the tip of the needle actually gets through the skin to deliver the full dose of insulin into the fat layer. For a long time, skin thickness has been a factor in product selection. The tendency has been to choose a larger needle for larger patients, using the skin-pinch method of injection to prevent intramuscular administration and subsequent pain and variable glycemic control. Recently, a study was conducted using ultrasound to measure the skin thickness at four injection sites in 338 patients with diabetes. Patients ranged in age from 18 to 85 years, and their BMIs ranged from 19.4 to 64.5 kg/m2. Investigators found minimal variation in skin thickness according to age, gender, race, and body mass. Most patients had a skin thickness of less than 2.8 mm, with Continue reading >>
