Half With Diabetes Skip Insulin Injections

Pain, Inconvenience, Poor Diet Among Reasons Given for Skipped Insulin Injections

Jan. 26, 2010 -- More than half of the people prescribed insulin injections to control their diabetes have skipped their injections in the past, and one in five do so sometimes or often, according to a new study.

But the reasons behind skipped insulin injections may vary according to the type of diabetes.

Researchers say more than 25% of people with diabetes take insulin. All people with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes require insulin injections to manage their disease and to prevent and slow the progression of potentially dangerous complications.

The study showed that people with type 1 diabetes who didn't follow their recommended diet were most likely to skip their insulin injections. Among those with type 2 diabetes, younger people, those with a lower income, and those who perceived their insulin injections as painful or embarrassing were more likely to skip them.

"Intentionally skipping insulin injections may be more common than clinicians think," researcher Mark Peyrot, PhD, of the department of sociology at Loyola University Maryland, says in a news release. "It's important for physicians and other health-care professionals to be aware of potential risk factors, especially for patients who report injection-related problems."

Who Skips Insulin Injections?

In the study, published in Diabetes Care, researchers surveyed 500 people via the Internet who were prescribed insulin by injection to manage their type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

The survey showed that 57% reported intentionally skipping insulin injections they know they should take, and 20% said they skip insulin injections "sometimes" or "often.”

When researchers looked at the reasons behind skipped insulin injections, they found that students, people with type 2 diabetes, and people who took more frequent injections were more likely to skip them.

Other factors that increased the likelihood of skipping insulin injections were:

Not following a healthy diet

Thinking that the injections interfered with their daily activities

Feeling that the insulin injections were painful or embarrassing

The study showed that older people with diabetes, people who were disabled, and people with a higher household income were less likely to skip their insulin injections.

Answer:

Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.