INSULIN DELIVERY

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SYRINGES/PENS
INSULIN PUMPS

Insulin Syringes, insulin pens, and insulin pumps are the most used ways to administer insulin: Injections typically occur at regularly scheduled times during the day. Syringes or pens are both used for injections, but both essentially do the same thing. Some people find the pen to be more convenient when they only need a single kind of insulin. Some children also find the pen needles more comfortable than the syringe needles.

Pumps: An alternative to injections is the pump. The pump is a computerized device, about the size of a beeper or pager, often worn on a belt or in a pocket. The pump delivers a continuous low (basal) dose through a cannula (a flexible plastic tube), which attaches to the body through a small needle inserted into the skin. The cannula is taped in place and the needle is removed. Common insertion sites on the body include the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, upper arms, and other areas with fatty tissue. When a person wearing a pump eats, she pushes a button on the pump to deliver an extra amount, called a bolus, to provide insulin for their food. (JDRF)

Insulin Delivery Methods