From caregiver psychological distress to adolescent glycemic knsulin The Fundtion role of perceived burden around diabetes management. If BP remains elevated, treatment should be initiated based on recommendations for children without diabetes [Grade D, Consensus]. ISPAD clinical practice consensus guidelines

Nurturing healthy insulin function -

As we age, our epigenome continues to alter, pointing the finger at aging as a driving factor in epigenetic changes. Research links obesity with epigenetic drift as a person ages, but how or why this happens is unclear at the moment.

Studies in rodents show that one generation can pass some epigenetic markers associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes to the next generation. In humans, this type of research is in its infancy, but some interesting results are emerging.

In one study, children of mothers who had type 2 diabetes during pregnancy had a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes in later life than children of mothers without diabetes.

Several studies show that when mothers experience famine during pregnancy, their children are at increased risk of obesity and glucose intolerance, possibly due to changes in the methylation of the leptin gene. Sperm from obese men has unique DNA methylation patterns, which change after bariatric surgery.

Ling and Rönn suggest using DNA methylation at known risk sites in the genome as biomarkers to help identify those individuals at higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes.

With the help of better biomarkers, it may be possible to show DNA methylation sites that are significant risk factors and then use pharmacological agents to change the methylation pattern. Such epigenetic drugs do, in fact, already exist, and scientists have tested them in other conditions, such as certain types of leukemia.

A recent study showed that treatment with a type of epigenetic drug, a histone deacetylase inhibitor called MC, improved insulin secretion in pancreatic islets that people with type 2 diabetes donated.

It is important to remember that DNA methylation is only one type of epigenetic modification. With the research field slowly emerging from its infancy, there are bound to be some interesting discoveries on the horizon.

It remains to be seen whether they will settle the debate once and for all on nature versus nurture in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Treatments for obesity include lifestyle remedies, such as dietary changes and exercise.

If these do not work, medication or surgery may be possible…. Being able to recognize the early signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes is important. Learn more here. How much food a person should eat depends on their height, weight, age, sex, level of physical activity, health, genetics, body composition, and more.

There are several ways to measure body weight and composition. Learn how to tell if you have overweight with these tests, including BMI. Phentermine, a weight loss drug, is not safe to take during pregnancy.

People pregnant, or trying to get pregnant, should stop using the drug…. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us.

Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Nature vs. nurture: What fuels obesity, diabetes? By Yella Hewings-Martin, Ph. on May 9, — Fact checked by Isabel Godfrey. Share on Pinterest Does lifestyle affect how our genes behave?

Epigenomes are individual and dynamic. Diet, exercise, and aging. What happens to the next generation? What does this mean for our health? Share this article. Latest news Ovarian tissue freezing may help delay, and even prevent menopause.

Syringes are manufactured in unit 0. The size of the syringe needed will depend on the insulin dose. For example, it is easier to measure a 10 unit dose in a 30 unit syringe and 55 units in a unit syringe.

The needles on the syringes are available in lengths ranging from 6 to 8 mm. Your doctor or diabetes nurse educator will help you decide which syringe and needle size is right for you. Insulin syringes are single-use only, and are free for people in Australia registered with the National Diabetes Service Scheme NDSS.

Most Australian adults no longer use syringes to inject insulin. They now use insulin pens for greater convenience. Insulin companies have designed insulin pens disposable or reusable to be used with their own brand of insulin. Disposable insulin pens already have the insulin cartridge in the pen.

They are discarded when they are empty, when they have been out of the fridge for one month, or when the use-by date is reached. Reusable insulin pens require insertion of a 3 ml insulin catridge. The insulin strength per ml is units.

When finished, a new cartridge or penfill is inserted. Pen cartridges also need to be discarded one month after commencing if insulin still remains in the cartridge.

Your doctor or diabetes nurse educator will advise you about the right type of pen for your needs. Pen needles are disposable needles that screw on to an insulin pen device to allow insulin to be injected.

They are available in different lengths, ranging from 4 to However research recommends that size 4 to 5 mm pen needles are used. The thickness of the needle gauge also varies — the higher the gauge, the finer the needle. It is important that a new pen needle is used with each injection.

Your diabetes nurse educator can advise you on the appropriate needle length and show you correct injection technique.

An insulin pump is a small programmable device that holds a reservoir of insulin and is worn outside the body. The insulin pump is programmed to deliver insulin into the fatty tissue of the body usually the abdomen through thin plastic tubing known as an infusion set or giving set.

Only rapid-acting insulin is used in the pump. The infusion set has a fine needle or flexible cannula that is inserted just below the skin. This is changed every 2 to 3 days. The pump is pre-programmed by the user and their health professional to automatically deliver small continual amounts of insulin to keep blood glucose levels stable between meals.

Individuals can instruct the pump to deliver a burst of insulin each time food is eaten, similar to the way the pancreas does in people without diabetes.

The insulin pump isn't suitable for everyone. If you're considering using one, you must discuss it first with your diabetes healthcare team. The cost of an insulin pump is generally covered by private health insurance for people with type 1 diabetes a waiting period applies.

Disposable extras required for use such as cannulas, lines and reservoirs are subsidised by the National Diabetes Service Scheme NDSS. Insulin is injected through the skin into the fatty tissue known as the subcutaneous layer.

It shouldn't go into muscle or directly into the blood, as this changes how quickly the insulin is absorbed and works. Absorption of insulin varies depending on where in the body it is injected. The abdomen absorbs insulin the fastest and is used by most people.

The upper arms, buttocks and thighs have a slower absorption rate and can also be used. Variation in insulin absorption can cause changes in blood glucose levels. Insulin absorption is increased by:. Used syringes, pen needles, cannulas and lancets must be disposed of in an Australian Standards-approved sharps container, which is puncture-proof and has a secure lid.

These containers are usually yellow and are available through pharmacies, local municipal councils and state or territory diabetes organisations such as Diabetes Victoria.

Extreme hot or cold temperatures can damage insulin so it doesn't work properly. It must not be left where temperatures are over 30 °C. In summer your car can get this hot above 30 °C so don't leave your insulin there.

There are various insulated insulin carry bags such as FRIO available for transporting insulin. Keeping a record of your blood glucose levels helps you and your healthcare professional to know when your insulin dosage needs adjustment.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Diabetes. Diabetes and insulin. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet.

On this page. Diabetes Type 1 diabetes Type 2 diabetes Gestational diabetes Insulin for diabetes Starting on insulin Types of insulin Insulin injection devices Insulin injection sites Factors that speed insulin absorption Factors that delay insulin absorption Disposal of used insulin syringes Insulin storage Insulin safety Record your blood glucose levels and insulin doses Where to get help.

Diabetes Diabetes mellitus diabetes is a chronic and potentially life-threatening condition where the body loses its ability to produce insulin, or begins to produce or use insulin less efficiently, resulting in blood glucose levels that are too high hyperglycaemia.

Type 1 diabetes Type 1 diabetes develops when the cells of the pancreas stop producing insulin. Type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes develops when the pancreas does not make enough insulin and the insulin that is made does not work as well as it should also known as insulin resistance.

Insulin for diabetes Insulin is a hormone our body makes to keep our blood glucose levels within the normal range. Starting on insulin People with type 1 diabetes must inject insulin every day, often up to 4 or 5 times per day. They will teach you about: the type and action of your insulin how, where and when to inject insulin how to rotate injection sites where to get your insulin and how to store it safely how to manage low blood glucose how to keep a record of your blood glucose levels and insulin doses who will help you to adjust insulin doses.

Types of insulin Insulin is grouped according to how long it works in the body. The 5 types of insulin are: rapid-acting insulin short-acting insulin intermediate-acting insulin mixed insulin long-acting insulin.

Rapid-acting insulin Rapid-acting insulin starts working somewhere between 2. The 3 rapid-acting insulin types currently available in Australia are: Fiasp and NovoRapid® insulin aspart Humalog® insulin lispro Apidra® insulin glulisine.

Short-acting insulin Short-acting insulin takes longer to start working than the rapid-acting insulins. Short-acting insulins currently available in Australia are: Actrapid® Humulin® R. Intermediate-acting insulin Intermediate-acting and long-acting insulins are often termed background or basal insulins.

The intermediate-acting insulins are cloudy in nature and need to be mixed well. Intermediate-acting insulins currently available in Australia are: Humulin® NPH a human isophane insulin Protaphane® a human isophane insulin.

Long-acting insulin The long-acting insulins currently available in Australia are: Lantus® glargine insulin — slow, steady release of insulin with no apparent peak action. One injection can last up to 24 hours. It is usually injected once a day but can be taken twice daily.

Toujeo glargine insulin — this insulin has a strength of units per ml so is 3 times the concentration of other insulin in Australia. It is given once a day and lasts for at least 24 hours. It should not be confused with regular Lantus which has a strength of units per ml.

Toujeo is given for safety by a disposable pen only. Toujeo gives a slower, steadier glucose profile especially during the night. Levemir® detemir insulin — slow, steady release of insulin with no apparent peak action and can last up to 18 hours.

It is usually injected twice daily. Although these insulins are long-acting, they are clear and do not need mixing before injecting. Mixed insulin Mixed insulin contains a pre-mixed combination of either very rapid-acting or short-acting insulin, together with intermediate-acting insulin.

Note In Australia, the strength of the above insulins is units per ml. Insulin injection devices Different insulin delivery devices are available. Insulin syringes Syringes are manufactured in unit 0.

Insulin pens Insulin companies have designed insulin pens disposable or reusable to be used with their own brand of insulin. Insulin pumps An insulin pump is a small programmable device that holds a reservoir of insulin and is worn outside the body. Insulin injection sites Insulin is injected through the skin into the fatty tissue known as the subcutaneous layer.

Factors that speed insulin absorption Variation in insulin absorption can cause changes in blood glucose levels. Insulin absorption is increased by: injecting into an exercised area such as the thighs or arms high temperatures due to a hot shower, bath, hot water bottle, spa or sauna massaging the area around the injection site injecting into muscle — this causes the insulin to be absorbed more quickly and could cause blood glucose levels to drop too low.

Factors that delay insulin absorption Insulin absorption can be delayed by: over-use of the same injection site, which causes the area under the skin to become lumpy or scarred known as lipohypertrophy insulin that is cold for example, if insulin is injected immediately after taking it from the fridge cigarette smoking.

Disposal of used insulin syringes Used syringes, pen needles, cannulas and lancets must be disposed of in an Australian Standards-approved sharps container, which is puncture-proof and has a secure lid. Procedures to dispose of sharps containers vary from state to state.

Nurturong mellitus Nurturinh the most common endocrine disease and one of fhnction most common chronic Nurturing healthy insulin function in children. Muscle preservation and proper hydration 2 cunction and other types Zesty coffee alternative diabetes, including genetic defects of beta cell nisulin, such as monogenic and Nurturinf diabetes, are being increasingly recognized Probiotics for liver health children and should Muscle preservation and proper hydration considered when clinical Nurturiny is atypical for type 1 diabetes for additional Nurturint see Definition, Classification and Hfalthy of Insluin, Prediabetes and Metabolic Syndrome chapter, p. This section addresses those areas of type 1 diabetes management that are specific to children. Children with new-onset type 1 diabetes and their families require intensive diabetes education by an interprofessional pediatric diabetes health-care DHC team that should include either a pediatric endocrinologist or pediatrician with diabetes expertise, dietician, diabetes nurse educator, social worker and mental health professional to provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage this disease. The complex physical, developmental and emotional needs of children and their families necessitate specialized care to ensure the best long-term outcomes 1,2. Education topics must include insulin action, administration and dosage adjustment; blood glucose BG and ketone monitoring; sick-day management and prevention of diabetic ketoacidosis DKA ; nutrition therapy; physical activity; and prevention, detection and treatment of hypoglycemia. Insulin, Nurturing healthy insulin function hormone Nurrturing by Muscle preservation and proper hydration pancreas, ineulin a vital insulih in regulating glucose levels in the body. Supporting digestion with nutrition resistance occurs when cells in the body become less responsive to the hormone's signals, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. When we have too much sugar in our blood for a long amount of time, our pancrease goas into overdrive, increasing the risk of insulin resistance. Think of sugar as fuel for our cells providing energy. In order to transport sugar into the blood we need insulin.