[acb-diabetics] Diabetes: Rotate It (fwd)

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Diabetes: Rotate It

>

> September 27, 2007

>

> JOHNS HOPKINS HEALTH ALERTS: DIABETES

> by s Hopkins Health Alerts

> http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com

>

> ** HOW INJECTION SITE ROTATION CAN HELP YOU CONTROL YOUR DIABETES

>

> * Information for this article was provided by Gardner, R.N.,

> M.A., C.C.M., C.D.E., diabetes nurse educator program manager at the

> s Hopkins Diabetes Center.

>

> Whether you inject insulin only once a day or multiple times, it is

> important to change the location of the injection in a methodical and

> consistent pattern that also takes into account the effect of physical

> activity on how quickly your body absorbs the insulin. This practice,

> known as injection site rotation, will prevent unsightly skin changes

> and unwanted variations in the rate at which the insulin gets into

> your blood stream.

>

> Insulin is typically injected with a syringe or insulin pen into the

> layer of subcutaneous (beneath the skin) fat. Your blood vessels then

> absorb the insulin and ferry it to the rest of the body. Injections at

> the same spot too many times in a row can cause the fat to either lump

> up (lipohypertrophy) or waste away (lipoatrophy). These changes in the

> fat can impede absorption of insulin.

>

> * Injection tip 1 -- Avoid areas with relatively higher concentrations

> of blood vessels and nerves that might get poked accidentally.

> Instead, give yourself injections in the abdomen (though not within

> two inches of your navel); the outsides of your upper arms, upper

> thighs, and hips; and the buttocks.

>

> * Injection tip 2 -- Alternate injection sites within the preferred

> areas rather than between them. So, for example, if you have type 2

> diabetes and take a single injection of long-acting insulin every day,

> you could inject on the left side of your abdomen for awhile, making

> sure to space injections at least an inch or so apart. Then, when you

> complete a circuit of the left side, switch your injections to the

> right. By the time you return to your starting position, the tissue on

> the left abdomen will have had time to rest and heal.

>

> * Injection tip 3 -- Choose to use a different area for each insulin

> -- say, the abdomen for long-acting insulin, and the upper thighs for

> before-meal insulin shots. Again, switch sides for your injections to

> allow time for the tissue to recover.

>

> * Injection tip 4 -- Be consistent. Due to variations in blood flow,

> the body absorbs insulin most rapidly in the belly area, followed by

> the arms, thighs, and hips or buttocks. Ideally you want your insulin

> to be absorbed at about the same rate each time you inject. This makes

> for more consistent and predictable control of blood sugar, avoiding

> dips and peaks. Otherwise, if you do notice an unexpected change in

> your blood sugar, how will you know what caused it? Was it exercise, a

> meal, or your medication?

>

> Diabetes educators at the s Hopkins Diabetes Center encourage

> people to give injections in the abdomen as much as possible. It's

> easily accessible and absorbs insulin the quickest. But if you take

> multiple insulins and would like to inject in a different area, they

> discourage the upper arms. The outer portions of the arms are harder

> to reach, and arm movements can affect absorption.

>

> ********************

>

> If you found this Health Alert interesting and want to learn more

> about diabetes, we recommend our popular 2007 Diabetes White Paper.

>

> The 2007 Diabetes White Paper teaches you how to manage your Type 1

> and Type 2 diabetes and avoid complications, such as nerve damage,

> heart disease, and retinopathy. This 84-page report reviews the latest

> tools for monitoring your blood glucose and the newest medications for

> controlling it. Featured highlights for 2007 include: myths and

> misconceptions about insulin therapy; tests your doctor should be

> doing to detect diabetes-related nerve damage; the best insulin for

> people who inject just once a day; exploring your options when

> diabetes disrupts your sex life; and much more.

>

> Available for just $19.95, the 2007 Diabetes White Paper may be

> ordered at the s Hopkins Health Alerts website. For more

> information, or to order, go to this link;

>

>

http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/white_papers/diabetes_wp/main_landing.ht\

ml?st=email & s=ECH_070927_009 " target= " _blank "

>

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>

> RELATED DIABETES TITLES:

>

> * The s Hopkins Heart Bulletin

>

> The Heart Bulletin is a quarterly publication that presents the latest

> information available to help you make informed decisions about your

> cardiac care. PLUS 4 Special Reports AND a FREE Cardiac Glossary!

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> Read more:

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> * Heart Attack Prevention White Paper

>

> Featured highlights for 2007 include: new research on inflammation as

> the cause of heart attacks; who's a candidate for a stress test, and

> why it's not for everyone; why doctors are debating metabolic

> syndrome, and its role in your risk of heart attack; when every minute

> counts: what to do first and fast in the event of a heart attack; are

> premium cholesterol tests better than the standard ones? s Hopkins

> doctors speak out; WARNING: medications that can raise your risk of

> having a heart attack; steps you can take NOW to reverse plaque

> build-up in your arteries; and much more. PLUS, get your special

> discount and FREE Special Report: Tested, Proven Ways to Save Your

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>

> Read more or order the INSTANT PDF DIGITAL DOWNLOAD EDITION:

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>

> * Coronary Heart Disease White Paper

>

> This White Paper reports on the latest life-saving advances for your

> heart health, to help you prevent or treat coronary heart disease.

> Topics include angina; cardiac arrhythmias; and congestive heart

> failure.

> Feature highlights for 2007 include: the promise of stem cells to

> heal the heart after an MI; steps you must take quickly to survive

> cardiac arrest; how low is low enough, when it comes to your

> cholesterol; aortic stenosis: what to do when your aortic valve is

> narrowing along with your arteries; what an eye exam can reveal about

> the health of your heart; the latest on the first new angina drug in

> 20 years--will it be the answer to your chest pains?; the threat of

> sleep apnea to your heart, and how to lower your risk; and much more.

> PLUS, get your special discount and FREE Special Report: Healthier

> Heart, Longer Life through this exclusive web-only offer.

>

> Read more or order the INSTANT PDF DIGITAL DOWNLOAD EDITION:

>

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landing.html?st=email & s=ECH_070927_002 " target= " _blank "

>

> Read more or order the PRINT EDITION:

>

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ding.html?st=email & s=ECH_070927_002 " target= " _blank "

>

> * s Hopkins Recipes for a Healthy Heart

> Over the years, research has shown us that diet and exercise play an

> important role in the prevention of heart disease.

>

> Read more or order:

>

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>

> * Vision White Paper

>

> Featured highlights for 2007 include: diabetic vision loss: new drugs

> which show promise; beyond LASIK: New, state-of-the-art surgical

> options for farsightedness; how cutting back on carbs could cut your

> risk of macular degeneration; what most women don't know about

> menopause and dry eye; unexpected impact of poor eyesight on mobility

> as you age; implanted miniature telescope that offers a hi-tech boost

> to damaged sight; why corneal abrasion, a common injury, needs

> immediate attention; sneaky sight-stealers: Drugs that raise your risk

> of cataracts; the latest news on glaucoma drugs and treatments; and

> much more. PLUS, get your special discount and FREE Special Report:

> Eye Problems and Solutions through this exclusive web-only offer.

>

> Read more:

>

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>

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>

> * The s Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50

> When you're over 50, it's more important than ever to have access to

> reliable health information. You won't find a more authoritative

> source than The s Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50.

>

> Read more:

>

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il & s=ECH_070927_002 " target= " _blank "

>

> For other s Hopkins Publications, please visit our Bookstore:

>

http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/bookstore/index.html?st=email & s=ECH_0709\

27_010 " target= " _blank "

>

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